Native Cultures

The main Native American culture described in the book is that of the Sioux people. There were multiple types of Sioux, the Oglala and the Brule figuring most prominently. The author gives a rather fair and friendly account of the culture. Rather than either elevating or disparaging the people, he simply describes what they were like. He admits that there is still some sort of perceptual filter, and the work is certainly not like Parker's on the Iroquois where an actual native has written an insider's view of the people. Even so, Mr. Ambrose does a reasonable job of realistically and justly depicting an indigenous peoples' culture.

One fact that comes to the fore during the exposition is that the natives already had their own system of alliances and enemies before the white men ever showed up. This is something they shared with the Europeans: the white...