The Soul of the Indian

American history is rife with shameful episodes in which the tribes indigenous to the continent were subjected to horrible trials and tribulations. Historians have argued that this was partly because early European Americans failed to recognize the essential humanity of the Indians, of which their complex spiritual beliefs form a major component. This work from Charles A. Eastman represents an early effort to delve into this subject; although it is not completely free of stereotypes and generalizations that were common in the period, the book offers a fascinating glimpse into one man's earnest attempt to understand indigenous spirituality.