I don't often award a 5 star rating but this book was stellar. Thomas King somehow manages to take a deep look at both Canadian and American Native histories and distill them down into something manageable, engaging and often funny. I had heard of the title and knew it was one that I needed to get around to reading but I didn't pursue it until I saw it sitting on a featured books shelf at my library. As I flipped through the prologue, I was struck and carried away by King's masterful use of language as he shared the various titles that he had considered.
This is an unbelievable tale but sadly it is all true. It is so important to know this long history of broken treaties, land taken out of settlement agreements and steady destruction of so many unique cultures. Over and over, we are shown that Whites are the real Indian Givers in North America and they have been unfaithful on every agreement made with Natives.
Although this review makes it seem like a heavy read, rest assured that King is a gifted story-teller who focuses on a few select accounts and it doesn't feel like you are in History class.
I am heading out to purchase my own copy because this needs to be read and re-read to understand the true weight behind it. Thank you, Thomas King.