Family Life in Native America

April 1, 2008
Gr 10 Up-This well-researched and -written volume looks at the complex lives of the Indians of the Northeast woodlands in the years preceding and just following European contact. The Volos open with an explanation of the difficulties of writing an accurate, objective history when sources are limited to the biased accounts of European settlers and tribal oral histories. They manage to overcome those difficulties, however, creating a richly detailed, well-documented survey that includes descriptions of the environment in which the Indians lived; their family, village, and tribal structures; native spiritual beliefs; and Indian warfare; as well as an examination of the changes brought by contact, trade, and warfare with Europeans. The result is a discussion both nuanced and objective, providing a portrait of peoples who exhibited the virtues and flaws common to all humans. The appendix provides brief overviews of Indian life in other regions within current U.S. borders. The sparse, black-and-white illustrations include medium-quality period illustrations, photos of artifacts, and six appended maps. The books attention to detail, strong analysis, and limited focus will reward researchers with a wealth of information. Stuart A. Kallens "Native Americans of the Northeast" (Gale, 2000) has a lower reading level and more illustrations and is a more user-friendly choice for younger students."Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO"

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