Product Review

This collection presents Native American perspectives on the events of the colonial era, from the first encounters between Indians and non-Indians in the early 17th century to the American Revolution in the late 18th century. The documents are drawn from letters, speeches and the records of treaty negotiations in which Indians were addressing non-Indians. Calloway's introduction discusses the nature of such sources and the problems of dealing with them. He also analyzes the forces of change that were creating a "new world" for Native Americans during the colonial period. The book's themes are arranged chronologically and the editorial apparatus throughout the book helps to put primary sources into context for the student. Each chapter contains an overview. Each document is accompanied by a headnote with a brief discussion of its context and significance. An introduction discusses the uses and problems of primary source material and provides an overview of the Indian experience during the colonial period.