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Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Navajo
*Includes pictures.
*Explains the origins, culture, and social structure of the Navajo.
*Includes a Bibliography for further reading.
*Includes a Table of Contents.
From the “Trail of Tears” to Wounded Knee and Little Bighorn, the narrative of American history is incomplete without the inclusion of the Native Americans that lived on the continent before European settlers arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the first contact between natives and settlers, tribes like the Sioux, Cherokee, and Navajo have both fascinated and perplexed outsiders with their history, language, and culture. In Charles River Editors’ Native American Tribes series, readers can get caught up to speed on the history and culture of North America’s most famous native tribes in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.
The Navajo are one of the most famous tribes in the United States, even though many of the important events in the people’s history have been overlooked with the passage of time. Still one of the biggest Native American groups in America, the Navajo are typically associated with the Southwest and other tribes like the Pueblo, and they are popularly remembered for the Code Talkers of World War II, who used the Navajo language to provide the American military with a code that could not be deciphered by enemy cryptologists.
Unfortunately, the 19th century was full of hardships for the Navajo, particularly as American settlers pushed west in the later stages of the 1800s. They engaged in conflicts with the Americans, but eventually they had to make the Long Walk, a march of over 300 miles from their homes to a reservation. Like the Cherokee’s Trail of Tears, the Long Walk was an unmitigated disaster for the Navajo, who only suffered more adversity in the years after the Long Walk as their lands and livelihoods were reduced.
Nevertheless, the Navajo have successfully maintained their culture and traditions, which are some of the oldest and richest in North America, as evidenced by the Code Talkers in the 1940s. As anthropologists and scholars become more refined, they have been able to trace the Navajo’s history and identity in ways that allow them to compare and contrast to neighboring Native American groups, which has led to a better understanding of their ancestors as well.
Today, the Navajo people are the second largest federally-recognized tribe of the United States with over 300,000 members, which represents over 15% of the total Native American population in America. Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Navajo comprehensively covers the culture and history of the famous tribe, profiling their origins, their famous leaders, and their lasting legacy. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Navajo like you never have before, in no time at all.
*Explains the origins, culture, and social structure of the Navajo.
*Includes a Bibliography for further reading.
*Includes a Table of Contents.
From the “Trail of Tears” to Wounded Knee and Little Bighorn, the narrative of American history is incomplete without the inclusion of the Native Americans that lived on the continent before European settlers arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the first contact between natives and settlers, tribes like the Sioux, Cherokee, and Navajo have both fascinated and perplexed outsiders with their history, language, and culture. In Charles River Editors’ Native American Tribes series, readers can get caught up to speed on the history and culture of North America’s most famous native tribes in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.
The Navajo are one of the most famous tribes in the United States, even though many of the important events in the people’s history have been overlooked with the passage of time. Still one of the biggest Native American groups in America, the Navajo are typically associated with the Southwest and other tribes like the Pueblo, and they are popularly remembered for the Code Talkers of World War II, who used the Navajo language to provide the American military with a code that could not be deciphered by enemy cryptologists.
Unfortunately, the 19th century was full of hardships for the Navajo, particularly as American settlers pushed west in the later stages of the 1800s. They engaged in conflicts with the Americans, but eventually they had to make the Long Walk, a march of over 300 miles from their homes to a reservation. Like the Cherokee’s Trail of Tears, the Long Walk was an unmitigated disaster for the Navajo, who only suffered more adversity in the years after the Long Walk as their lands and livelihoods were reduced.
Nevertheless, the Navajo have successfully maintained their culture and traditions, which are some of the oldest and richest in North America, as evidenced by the Code Talkers in the 1940s. As anthropologists and scholars become more refined, they have been able to trace the Navajo’s history and identity in ways that allow them to compare and contrast to neighboring Native American groups, which has led to a better understanding of their ancestors as well.
Today, the Navajo people are the second largest federally-recognized tribe of the United States with over 300,000 members, which represents over 15% of the total Native American population in America. Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Navajo comprehensively covers the culture and history of the famous tribe, profiling their origins, their famous leaders, and their lasting legacy. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Navajo like you never have before, in no time at all.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2013
73 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Charles River Editors
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 16, 2023
Quick read.
Very informative, but quick to finish. I learned a lot and it only increased my interest I
17the Navajo as a people + culture.
Very informative, but quick to finish. I learned a lot and it only increased my interest I
17the Navajo as a people + culture.
May 14, 2025
Informative
Very good overview of the history of the Navajo peoples. It was interesting to read about their creation story and of the close relationship to other tribes including the Apache. The Navajo have been known for many years for their craftsmanship in jewelry and textiles. Their contribution to the winning of WW2 was highlighted for many with the making of the movie Wind Talkers. Dispute many hardships over the years they seem to have maintained their unique identity and cohesion as a nation.
Very good overview of the history of the Navajo peoples. It was interesting to read about their creation story and of the close relationship to other tribes including the Apache. The Navajo have been known for many years for their craftsmanship in jewelry and textiles. Their contribution to the winning of WW2 was highlighted for many with the making of the movie Wind Talkers. Dispute many hardships over the years they seem to have maintained their unique identity and cohesion as a nation.
September 22, 2023
This book felt outdated. In looking at the bibliography, most of the sources are woefully dated. The only‘contemporary’ source is the diné website, which actually would be more accurate and up-to-date than this book written ten years ago. If looking for a short book to begin exploring the complex Navajo history, culture, and traditions, this book would serve that purpose. Yet, only a small beginning on the journey.
August 17, 2025
Quick and brief introduction lots left to learn.
I’m not super informed on Native American history as id like to be my school really skipped over all of it growing up except the trail of tears (and not even covered to the extent it should have been)://
I literally didn’t even know we have a nation within a nation of United States until this… anyways already on a new book of the Navajo nation and code speaking excited for this journey of deep diving more!
I’m not super informed on Native American history as id like to be my school really skipped over all of it growing up except the trail of tears (and not even covered to the extent it should have been)://
I literally didn’t even know we have a nation within a nation of United States until this… anyways already on a new book of the Navajo nation and code speaking excited for this journey of deep diving more!
November 10, 2021
Short book on the origins, history and culture of the Navajo people. It's pretty good and informative. My one critique is that the narrator/reader did not do the research on word pronunciation and quite a few came out really mangled and unrecognizable. The story of their origin, their migration and current issues--all wrapped up in 1+ hour. Neat summary.
March 25, 2022
Quick overview
An informative quick read before you visit tribal lands. Read this; stay, eat, take tours with tribal businesses. Take away: Navajo lands and culture are not only "history" but also part of the current fabric of US multiculturalism.
An informative quick read before you visit tribal lands. Read this; stay, eat, take tours with tribal businesses. Take away: Navajo lands and culture are not only "history" but also part of the current fabric of US multiculturalism.
August 8, 2025
This was a good, albeit quick, introduction to a lot of the background of the Navajo people. Only thing for me was, it begs me to dig for more of the history of this fascinating group of people and their culture. But that is a good thing, I think.
November 4, 2018
The book is very short. It is a good option to choose if you know nothing about the Navajo and want to learn a couple of factoids.
March 3, 2020
Brief overview
This is a quick overview of the Navajo people, covering both history and current conditions. Comes with a bibliography for further study.
This is a quick overview of the Navajo people, covering both history and current conditions. Comes with a bibliography for further study.
September 21, 2022
A short introduction to the Navajo Tribe. A good introductory read for someone looking to learn more.
November 23, 2014
Concise Overview
Helpful in its brevity and directness. I can envision some people being upset with it leaving a lot out, but it's real strength is its brevity. Judged on that basis, this is a must have.
Helpful in its brevity and directness. I can envision some people being upset with it leaving a lot out, but it's real strength is its brevity. Judged on that basis, this is a must have.
July 10, 2013
A very complete overview of the tribe. Gives a close look at the tribe in the modern era, focusing on the debate over the environment.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews