The Indian Heritage Of America

by Alvin M. Josephy Jr.

From the prehistoric peoples who inhabited the Americas at the end of the last Ice Age to the American Indian of the 20th century, this book encompasses the whole historical and cultural range of Indian life in Corth, Central, and South America. 32 pages of black-and-white photographs.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Native American, Historical, Indigenous, Native Americans

464 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 1968

About the author

An American historian who specialized in Native American topics. He served as a combat correspondent during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star for his coverage of the U.S. capture of Guam. His interest in Native American history started during an assignment from Time Magazine.

Reviews

[Mesoscope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked for a long time to find a book like this - a serviceable overview of the various peoples, cultures, and histories of the New World. Josephy provides an excellent and clear presentation of the archaeological and anthropological data from the earliest-known migrations ca. 15,000 YBP through the present day. By necessity, his treatment of each geographical culture group is brief, but it provides a clear overview of the basic picture of migration and development, and arms the interested reader with a framework for further study. I used the book as a reference point for further research, and found it an invaluable guide. I'm not aware of a comparable treatment of the subject.

[Vasilis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Authoritative, but tedious; informative, but dated; comprehensive, but too US-centric.

[Frederick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive overview of the first Americans experience in the western hemisphere from prehistory to the present (1968). It is an interesting if rather pedantic study of a diverse people who occupied the Americas for thousands of years and whose way of life steadily eroded after the European "discovery" of the new world. In the clash of cultures that ensued following the colonization of the Americas no group is spared responsibility. Both whites and Indians acted in what they deemed to be their self interest for many years until, in the case of the Indians, it was too late to save their way of life.

[Stuart B. Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

a readable and insightful exploration of the cultures of Amerindian tribes across the whole continent
what emerges through the book is the way indigenous cultures are both shaped and interact with the local environment giving the various tribes a real respect for the landscape and wildlife that sustained them; a lesson that the European immigrants still haven't addressed
Highly recommended

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I didn't give this more stars is because, as it was printed in 1968, it's a bit dated. It does acknowledge the Native heritage of the United States, which makes it a keeper.

[Valli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very comprehensive and like a textbook--it was not as outdated as I thought it would be. Next time I will read about individual tribes and/or focus on tribes here in Wisconsin.

[Norhelm Staren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read, or should I say study. Tons of information, well organized. I first began to read about the migratory history of the Plains Indians while at University in the early 70's and was intrigued to learn more. This book provides a comprehensive review of the same topics but for all tribes and clans from South America through to Middle and North America, with reference to archeological studies and suppositions dating back between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago up to the present day. A little repetitive in parts, since all segments of Indian Society are reviewed covering identical considerations. I am inspired to continue reading on this topic given that the book was published in 1969 and so the final chapters which deal more specifically with the impact of the white man's arrival on Indian civilizations is already very dated.

[CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this perfunctorily for my Native American culture class. Now, several years later, I'd like to reread it and actually try to absorb the facts for more than a semester and an exam. I remember that the book was stuffed full of information about all the different tribes on America, and the history of what happened to them after European colonization. Like any book on the topic, it's not exactly cheerful, but it is informative and factual.

[Tomek · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars: A comprehensive overview of Native American history in the Americas. Any work attempting to provide such a thorough audit of a concept is sure to gloss over some information, and this one is no exception. It does tend to read like an encyclopedia, so I do question its value in the internet age when much more specific, recent information can be obtained with ease.

[Bap · Rating 3 out of 5]

I own the boxed set, the American Heritage book of Indians edited by Josephy in all of its political incorrectness. Lots of pictures and short essays. Propped up next to my ceral bowl, I would read and wonder about all the adventures that I had misssed.

[Tony · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely packed with information, but unfortunately I found the style of the book ultimately boring and repetetive, and it became a chore to read. It is probably one of the best books on the subject, but just not for me as a casual reader. It was just too dense.

[Cws]

AI 970