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theodoragreene's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting historical FICTION book. I read this for my Native Americans course in college and although the book is entertaining, it does not give an accurate or meaningful identity to Native Americans. As a fictional piece of work, this book was easy to read, but as a representative book on Natives during this time I must say that only the themes should be considered accurate
dakotious's review
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
It is remarkable how much of this book holds true today. I especially enjoyed the chapter on anthropologists and missionaries, and Deloria's still accurate criticism of ostensibly liberal allies to native communities. His wit throughout the book was fantastic.
However, his endorsement of Zionism and criticism of the Civil Rights movement were tough to swallow. I can't imagine such a book taking these stances in this day and age. Despite these issues, the analysis specific to indigenous struggle and sovereignty should be required reading.
However, his endorsement of Zionism and criticism of the Civil Rights movement were tough to swallow. I can't imagine such a book taking these stances in this day and age. Despite these issues, the analysis specific to indigenous struggle and sovereignty should be required reading.
zerowastedork's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I appreciated that he presented solutions in each chapter, even if they were quite unexpected. Made me think and laugh.
courtofsmutandstuff's review against another edition
informative
5.0
I really liked this! I had heard it mentioned as a foundational book in other books, and even though it is older, it is still really great. There were things I was familiar with, but I learned a lot. I also liked the way the chapters were structured (especially the chapter exclusively on Native humor, which paired really well since I had just finished We Had A Little Real Estate Problem), which allowed the book to spotlight and focus on different aspects at a time, rather than do a straight chronological survey. If you have no knowledge of Native history, this will be a lot of information, but it's really good. I would love to read a follow up that follows what has happened since the Vietnam Era.
lauraedosanjh's review against another edition
2.0
Whew.... the anti-blackness in here is rough. Def overshadowed some of what was said about the advancement of Native American tribal rights and culture. No need to belittle and demean another minority when the point is that they are different not less.
unladylike's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely brilliant and hilarious, Vine Deloria Jr. has to be one of my new favorite authors of history between American Indians and white colonizers.
There are so many witty and pointedly insightful moments throughout this book, but I will here simply paste the few notes I took while listening to it.
This book has me cracking up multiple times in the first chapter. He recalls from his days [as the head of an organization whose name I forget] how almost every day some white would come to his office and proudly declare they had some Indian blood. All but one person claimed it was on their grandmother’s side, leading Deloria to calculate that for the first three hundred years of colonization, these Indian tribes - most popularly Cherokee, then Mohawk and Chippewa - were entirely female. LMAO!!! He theorizes that they were uncomfortable with the idea of having a Native male ancestor because it brought notions of a savage warrior undeserving of their family history, but an “Indian Princess Grandmother?!” Perfect: genteel, graceful, beautiful, elegant, and feminine. He says after a while of hearing all the white people claiming to be part Indian, he started to affirm them and understood or sympathized with their need to identify that way. He hoped that one day they would be able to accept themselves and leave [Native Americans] alone. Howww
After listing and describing the work of various Indian organizations, he dryly says, “There are a number of white-led organizations that attempt to help Indians. Since we would be better off without them, I will not mention them, except to acknowledge that they do exist.” HAHAHAH
There are so many witty and pointedly insightful moments throughout this book, but I will here simply paste the few notes I took while listening to it.
This book has me cracking up multiple times in the first chapter. He recalls from his days [as the head of an organization whose name I forget] how almost every day some white would come to his office and proudly declare they had some Indian blood. All but one person claimed it was on their grandmother’s side, leading Deloria to calculate that for the first three hundred years of colonization, these Indian tribes - most popularly Cherokee, then Mohawk and Chippewa - were entirely female. LMAO!!! He theorizes that they were uncomfortable with the idea of having a Native male ancestor because it brought notions of a savage warrior undeserving of their family history, but an “Indian Princess Grandmother?!” Perfect: genteel, graceful, beautiful, elegant, and feminine. He says after a while of hearing all the white people claiming to be part Indian, he started to affirm them and understood or sympathized with their need to identify that way. He hoped that one day they would be able to accept themselves and leave [Native Americans] alone. Howww
After listing and describing the work of various Indian organizations, he dryly says, “There are a number of white-led organizations that attempt to help Indians. Since we would be better off without them, I will not mention them, except to acknowledge that they do exist.” HAHAHAH