Product Description

This is a comprehensive account of the five tribes - Onandagas, Senecas, Mohawks, Oneidas and Cayugas - who together made up the Iriquois nation, form their origins in prehistory to their dispersal and confinement after the American Revolution. This accessible account by the leading schlolar in the filed draws on the widest possible range of archaeological evidence to provide a narrative interpretation of a people whose beliefs and culture have remained to Americans matters of mystery.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #764299 in Books
• Published on: 1996-04-18
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From Library Journal
The Iroquois nation, made up of five tribes-Onandagas, Senecas, Mohawks, Oneidas, and Cayugas-had a rich culture and history before and after the European invasion. Snow (SUNY, Albany) takes us from their origins in the first century through their survival to the present.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Midwest Book Review
Don't expect a casual Indian history with this overview: chapters provide an in-depth analysis of the development of Iroquois culture from its earliest beginnings to modern times in the U. S. and Canada. Examinations of changing social and military power structures accompany strong details of traditions under the gun.

Review
"In this informative and highly readable study, Snow has produced an impressive synthesis of Iroquois history from its antecedents in Northeastern Archaic cultures to the present. The text blends archaeological, historical and oral traditions into a tapestry of the significant role the Iroquois have played, and continue to play, in American society." R. L. Haan, Choice

"There is no better introduction to the history and culture of the people. The book confirms Snow's reputation as one of North America's leading historical anthropologists." Bruce G. Trigger, Professor of Anthropology, McGill University

"Here finally is an accurate, readable, general book on the complex prehistory, history, and culture of the Iroquois. Such a work could only be produced by an author deeply involved in recent research on these topics. For years to come it will surely be the source of first resort on these important peoples of Eastern North America." William C. Sturtevant, Curator of North American Ethnology, and General Editor, Handbook of North American Indians, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

"While he contributes fresh and significant analysis of their early, precolonial history and of Iroquois material culture - insights based on his important archaeological investigations - Snow falls well short of providing the "vivid and moving history" that his book jacket advertises. Although designed for a general audience, the book reads too often like a dull, technical research report... Dean Snow's The Iroquois ... succeeds in providing brief and insightful analysis of changing Iroquois culture and experience." The Journal of American History

Customer Reviews

A great introduction
This book is a great introduction to the history and ethnography of the Iroquois. It starts with a summary of the archaeology of the various Iroquois speaking groups in the north east U.S. and southern Canada (not all Iroquois speakers were Iroquois Indians!)and moves forward in time. Its main focus is on the 5 groups who eventually formed the League of the 5 Nations. The origins of the league are explored as well as the precontact culture of the people.

The history of the Iroquois is well covered in summary form from their first contacts with the French and the Dutch through to recent confrontations on reserves and reservations in Quebec and New York.

A fine book as an introduction to the Iroquois people which has served to whet my appetite for more info. Fortunately Snow has included a suggested list for further reading!