Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars: 1492-1890

by Jerry Keenan

Overview

An insightful and valuable resource on the major conflicts between American Indian tribes and Euro-American settlers from the arrival of Columbus to the Battle of Wounded Knee.

Historians, writers, and students will welcome this extensively illustrated and well-organized volume. An important historical resource, Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars covers the major clashes between American Indian tribes and Euro-American settlers from the arrival of Columbus to the Battle of Wounded Knee, centered mainly within the geographical area that now comprises the contiguous United States. It provides essential information on major battles and military campaigns, treaties, significant sites, American Indian tribes, and notable military and political leaders, both Indian and white, presented in a handy, encyclopedic style.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780874367966
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/01/1997
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.69(d)
Age Range:	13 Years

About the Author

Jerry Keenan is a professional writer pursuing projects in U.S. and military history specializing in the American West and the Civil War.

Editorial Reviews

This title fills a niche, bringing together and giving order to a great deal of information about a complex series of interwoven incidents. Recommended for general and academic collections.” —Choice

From the Publisher

Gr 8 Up-This alphabetically arranged volume provides descriptions and assessments of events, individuals, cultural groups, and geographic locations associated with the military conflict between the Native people who resided within the contemporary borders of the United States and Europeans or their descendants. Articles vary in length from 35 words ("Athapascan") to 1700 words ("Revolutionary War"). Thirty-five entries provide brief overviews of tribal or linguistic groups. Keenan approaches this broad subject from a military-history point of view, enumerating topics such as "Forts, Camps, Cantonments, Outposts," "Military Units, White," and "Treaties and Agreements." The 130 biographical entries center on military service, including each individual's education, assignments, experience in action, and reputation as a warrior, soldier, or commander. The majority of these articles focus on non-Indians. There are a few entries for white women captives and two of Native women, Pocahontas and Sarah Winnemucca. For the most part, the tone is balanced and consistent; aggression and victory are reported, when appropriate, to either side of the battle. Native warriors are sometimes referred to as braves on the warpath, though, while whites engage in military pursuits. Entries are accompanied by citations to further reading. The black-and-white illustrations are captioned but appear without source documentation. A useful reference title for a general collection as well as one that specializes in Native American studies.-Loriene Roy, University of Texas, Austin

School Library Journal

The American-Indian wars might be thought of as one 400-year-long war that was made up of a great many smaller splinter wars and campaigns. This reference work on conflicts that occurred in the area that eventually became the United States includes some 450 alphabetically arranged, cross-referenced entries that explore major campaigns and battles, treaties, forts, battle locations, military and political leaders, tribal weapons and practices, and Anglo-European firearms and military strategies. Includes some (well-chosen) b&w illustrations. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews