A number of American Indians have wanted to write a book like [Custer Died For Your Sins], or have threatened to. But while others dreamed, procrastinated, or found other outlets for their energies, Vine Deloria, Jr. … persevered and has produced a witty, provocative, and sometimes crotchety interpretation of the past and current state of affairs of American Indians.

Written for the general public, this is nevertheless an Indian book and, as such, contains much of significance for Indians and non-Indians alike. Many on both sides will find viewpoints designed to raise the blood pressure and force a reappraisal of Indian-white relations. (p. 553)

Unlike many younger Indians, Deloria opposes militant confrontation with white society. Rather, he argues, struggles in the "intellectual arena" will bring about the desired aims: self-determination in all phases of Indian life and a humane and personalized alternative to contemporary industrialized urban society. According to Deloria...