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Book Review of Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Shawnee

Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Shawnee
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Charles Rivers has a wonderful set of books about the history and culture of various Indian traditions. This year, I'm trying to read more of them, to understand the Indian nations and how they do (or do not) fit together. The Shawnee grew out of the Iroquois family (they are Algonquin-speaking). They were semi-migratory and seemed to traverse across Ohio and Kentucky in the early days.

There are several famous Shawnee names in this story, including Tecumseh; his brother The Prophet, Tenskwatawa (a very important personage in his time); and Blue Jacket. I don't think the book was as clear as it could have been. However, I was amazed to hear that the Shawnee were part of the "Fort Ancient" Tradition, a late prehistoric cultural tradition of the Ohio River Valley that spanned from 1060-1760. They adopted mound-building as part of their culture.

This is a fairly quick and easy read with photos, paintings, and maps of important figures and wars of the Shawnee.

Other Titles About Indian Nations by Charles Rivers:
* The Apache and Comanche: The History and Legacy of the Southwest's Most Famous Warrior Tribes
* The Five Civilized Tribes: The History of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole
* Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Arapaho
* Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Mohawk
* Native Americans in the Civil War: The History and Legacy of various Indian Tribes' Participation in the War Between the States (One of my favorite Charles Rivers books in this series. Amazing information!)