I thought this was interesting, and I learned a lot. I would consider it required reading, but it is a product of its time and has some issues. I learned the most probably from the initial essays, and I really enjoyed the essay on humor and on anthropologists; they were both quite funny. I am also surprised by the fact that the more I learn about history as an adult, that the more I realize how ridiculous the history I learned growing up is. And not just how revisionist and racist the narrative about the indigenous was, but also even which presidents I was supposed to hate an revere. I remember thinking Nixon was the worst human in the world and JFK was one of the greatest. Nixon, like all US presidents, was a terrible person, but I am amazed by how many things he is not given credit for. This book cites him as the best president for indigenous rights, and knowing what I know about the presidents that have come after, I can't imagine that any have been any better. But JFK is so much worse of a person than I was taught. Not only was he the individual who brought us closer to nuclear annihilation than any other person in the history of humanity, but he was extremely kniving, was one of the first to liberalize the economy after the New Deal, and betrayed the indigenous.

Very informative & thought provoking. It is very methodical in its recitation of its history, issues, humor & critiques of American society, politics & policies with the Indian people. I was always interested in Indian views on other movements such as civil rights & wars & it was able to fully articulate its position & goals. It also outlined detailed steps needed for Indians to move through these issues. Although dated as it was written in the 1970s, I would be interested in a second book that takes up where this left off to see if the proposals to those issues were resolved or not.