Famous American Indians

The dustjacket states that author William Heuman was "deeply interested in the American Indians long before their cause became fashionable, and in writing this book, he achieved a lifelong ambition." The dustjacket does not specify exactly what was the author' lifelong ambition, but if it was to write a truthful, respectful account of white man's encroachment -- and ultimate usurpation -- of Native American populations, then the author nobly succeeded. Written for younger (teenage) readers, this book is a great introduction, for any age reader, to the lives of nine of the "best-known" Native Americans who are covered in this book: King Philip, Pontiac, Joseph Brant, Osceola, Tecumsch, Sequoyah, Chief Joseph, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. As the dustjacket attests, the stories are not pleasant, but are essential to understanding these people, who were not wild savages to be extirpated, but men of character, men who loved their people and their homeland and who were determined to protect both. The book is illustrated with archival photographs which nicely compliment the author's respectful treatment of this subject. Of course, it goes without saying that, by necessity, this book (being for younger readers) skims the surface of the real history, but at least it makes genuine contact with the truths. As a starting point for younger readers in Native American studies, I highly recommend this book.