Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

A radical reinterpretation of American history from Native American perspectives. Exposes systemic violence and colonization against indigenous populations. Traces the long history of resistance and survival. Challenges mainstream historical narratives about westward expansion. Provides a critical analysis of settler colonialism.

The Earth Is Weeping

Peter Cozzens

A comprehensive historical account of the Indian Wars in the American West. Explores the complex interactions between Native American tribes and U.S. government forces. Provides detailed narratives of conflicts, treaties, and cultural displacement. Offers balanced perspectives from both Native and settler viewpoints. Examines the systematic destruction of Native American ways of life.

The Last Stand

Nathaniel Philbrick

Detailed account of the Battle of Little Bighorn and Sitting Bull's resistance. Explores the conflict between Native Americans and U.S. military forces. Provides nuanced perspectives on both sides of the confrontation. Reveals the complex motivations and strategies of Native American leaders. Offers a compelling narrative of cultural conflict.

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Jared Diamond

Explores the broader historical forces that shaped human societies. Provides a global perspective on cultural interactions and technological development. Examines how environmental and geographical factors influenced historical outcomes. Offers insights into the dynamics of cultural contact and conquest. Provides a scientific approach to understanding historical processes.

Black Elk Speaks

John G. Neihardt

A powerful first-hand account of Native American life and spiritual experience during the late 19th century. Tells the story of Black Elk, an Oglala Lakota holy man, and his perspective on the destruction of Native American culture. Provides deep insights into indigenous perspectives during a traumatic period of American history. Offers a personal narrative that complements Brown's historical documentation. Reveals the spiritual and cultural resilience of Native Americans.

Trail of Tears

John Ehle

Detailed account of the forced relocation of Native American tribes from southeastern United States. Focuses on the Cherokee Nation's tragic journey and cultural destruction. Explores personal stories of survival and resistance. Reveals the human cost of government policies. Provides a deeply researched narrative of one of the most traumatic events in Native American history.

God Is Red

Vine Deloria Jr.

A critical examination of Native American spirituality and Western religious traditions. Challenges colonial perspectives on indigenous belief systems. Explores the deep spiritual connections to land and community. Provides philosophical insights into Native American worldviews. Offers a powerful critique of cultural destruction.

The Inconvenient Indian

Thomas King

A provocative examination of Native American experiences in North America. Combines historical analysis with personal narrative and humor. Challenges persistent myths about indigenous peoples. Explores ongoing impacts of colonization. Provides a contemporary perspective on Native American history and identity.

Blood and Thunder

Hampton Sides

Explores the complex history of the American Southwest. Focuses on Kit Carson and Native American interactions. Provides detailed narratives of cultural conflict and transformation. Reveals the human dimensions of westward expansion. Offers a comprehensive view of a pivotal period in American history.

1491

Charles C. Mann

Challenges traditional narratives about Native American societies before European contact. Reveals the complexity and sophistication of pre-Columbian civilizations. Provides archaeological and historical evidence of advanced indigenous cultures. Explores population sizes, technological achievements, and social structures. Offers a revisionist perspective on Native American history.

Crazy Horse and Custer

Stephen Ambrose

Parallel biographies of two iconic figures from the American West. Explores the cultural and personal backgrounds of Crazy Horse and George Armstrong Custer. Provides insights into their motivations and historical contexts. Reveals the human dimensions of cultural conflict. Offers a balanced perspective on a pivotal moment in American history.

The Conquest of the Incas

John Hemming

Comprehensive account of Spanish conquest in South America. Explores the destruction of indigenous civilizations. Provides detailed historical narratives of cultural conflict. Reveals the strategies of colonization and resistance. Offers insights into the broader patterns of indigenous experiences under colonial rule.

Empire of the Summer Moon

S.C. Gwynne

Detailed account of Comanche resistance in the American West. Explores the complex interactions between Native Americans and settlers. Provides insights into Comanche culture and military strategies. Reveals the human stories behind historical conflicts. Offers a nuanced perspective on cultural confrontation.

Lakota Woman

Mary Crow Dog

A personal memoir of Native American resistance during the 1970s. Describes life on the Pine Ridge Reservation and the American Indian Movement. Offers insights into contemporary Native American struggles. Reveals personal experiences of cultural survival and political activism. Provides a powerful first-hand account of indigenous resilience.