Iroquoia: The Development of a Native World

by William Engelbrecht

In a book that spans the Iroquoian culture from its ancient roots to its survival in the modern world, William Engelbrecht maintains that two themes pervade this warfare and spirituality. An investigation of oral tradition, archaeology, and historical records provides new insight into this now largely vanished world known as Iroquoia. Engelbrecht covers a wide geographic range, exploring regional and temporal differences in material culture and subsistence patterns. He finds change over time in the distribution and size of communities and in response to environmental demographic, and social factors. In addition, he furthers the controversial debate that "arrow sacrifice" and other beliefs spread from Mesoamerica with the dispersal of maize and horticulture. Although scholars have suggested that palisaded hilltop Iroquoian villages were constructed with an eye for defense, this book is unique in showing that the longhouse—known mainly as a community forum and spiritual place—may also have served as a defense structure. Throughout this work, which will become the new standard text to which scholars will refer, Engelbrecht reminds us that the the study of the Iroquoian people continues to enrich and inform the modern world.

Genres: History, Archaeology, Nonfiction, Indigenous

231 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent, thorough introduction into the Iroquois people. It's rather dense and academic, and I had to rewind often in order to catch everything. I was impressed with Engelbright's acknowledgement of the gaps in the record, as well as the biases. For example, in the written record about the Iroquois produced by white European men, he acknowledges that European dudes wouldn't bother so much with gathering forage and native plants; their interests and experience lay in agriculture and hunting, so therefore we don't have observations about the Iroquois and their treatment of forage plants.

Very thorough, and I learned a lot.

[Heep · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid and well-researched study of the Iroquois, whcih reveals the complexity and vibrance of their history and culture. The perspective is anthropological with great attention to the daily life of the Iroquois over the last millennium as disclosed by careful and meticulous observations of historic places, texts and accounts. The goal is ambitious but largely succeeds demonstrating a growing body of research and acedemic study in the field.

[Ula Clare Castell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It felt dense and more like a textbook than a fun read, and I enjoyed it none the less. The only thing I couldn’t really distinguish is the authors credentials. He’s knowledgeable but I wondered if he was from Iroquoian culture or just an Archaeologists who worked in the area.maybe he’s neither of these things, but I just wanted confirmation he was creditable and I just can’t find that info, it sounds and feels right but I always like to double check. Very academic read and the audiobook version was okay but kinda dry, like the material.

[Paola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the claims are questionable. Overall a mediocre account. I'd have to research some of the authors claims. Not a scholarly work.

[Jaena4 Beadling · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible, excellent history of the development of the Owasco peoples into the Six Nations.

[Jess Trebanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far from being a dry scholarly text. Bursting with documented historical evidence, but still fascinating.

[Rose O'Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The academic style gets in the way for a non-academic reader like myself, but the information is fascinating nonetheless.