“As entertaining as it is thoughtful….Few contemporary writers have Weatherford’s talent for making the deep sweep of history seem vital and immediate.” –Washington Post After 500 years, the world’s huge debt to the wisdom of the Indians of the Americas has finally been explored in all its vivid drama by anthropologist Jack Weatherford. He traces the crucial contributions made by the Indians … contributions made by the Indians to our federal system of government, our democratic institutions, modern medicine, agriculture, architecture, and ecology, and in this astonishing, ground-breaking book takes a giant step toward recovering a true American history.
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Something everyone should know to appreciate our native Americans
Interesting history.
This is a story that will change you view of American history, both North and South America. Interesting and compelling information.
This book has given me a new perspective on world history and made me rethink a great deal of how I view the world. I haven’t finished it yet, but even the few chapters I’ve read has done that for me.
How the gifts of the Americas changed the world
To forget the Inca and the Aztec, the Native Americans, who contributed so much to our world is easy. Our history classes skipped over what we took from them, made Christopher Columbus and the conquistadores who came after him sound like heroes and protected our immature ears from the murders and the greed that made both Central and South America into Spanish and Portuguese colonies.
“Indian Givers” tells us what happened – what really happened and tells us how the Native Americans changed the world. And tells what the impact of the actions of the conquistadores are still having on today’s world.
I recommend the book, it will ground you in reality.
Excellent. A history of Indigenous Peoples that ought to have been taught us long ago. A great challenge to white supremacy and racist arrogance.
Read anything Jack Weatherford writes. Great knowledge and insight into the past that makes our present, and portends our future
Amazing amount of information that I had never thought about before, especially about horticulture and their system of democracy and society in general. Very illuminating.
Not a story… an accounting of the greed that has ruined our world.
An interesting take on how businesses developed.
This book was not at all what I expected but I enjoyed it very much. It gives the history of contributions that Indians throughout the North and South Americas have given to us. When in school they don’t teach you this part of the story. It is all backed up with research and resources are given.
This is a book for every American, especially those who care about our truest history.
Historically informative and a great perspective on the gifts “Indigenous Peoples” have given to civilization up to the present time.
No matter how much you think you know about native american contributions to world culture, you’ll find much here that will contribute to your appreciation. The chapter on their providing a model for truly participatory democracy was especially revealing.
We took/learned from the Native Americans in this country.
The best historical tale I have ever read. Presents the events of the history of Native Americans in context of their real contribution to the world we live in. I have a grater appreciation and respect for their valuable contributions.
while it was not what i anticipated, it was a great and informative read. Never thoughts of the influences ranging from government to Italian meals
Everyone should read this revealing book. At almost every page, I was thinking “who knew?”.
It is an easy read about a subject which, especially at this Thanksgiving time, should make most of us grateful and penitent. It should be required reading in every society, but especially in Europe and the Americas.
Not finished yet but I am enjoying it and learning a lot.