Native American history is a rich and complex narrative, filled with stories of resilience, conflict, and cultural transformation. These books offer a deep dive into the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Native American tribes, giving readers a powerful understanding of their lasting impact on the Americas. Here are the top 10 best books on Native American history that you should add to your reading list.
Author: James Runninghorse
James Runninghorse is a Native American historian focused on the cultural and political history of indigenous peoples. His extensive research sheds light on the profound experiences of Native American tribes.
10. Nine Years Among the Indians, 1870-1879: The Story of the Captivity and Life of a Texan Among the Indians
Author: Herman Lehmann
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 out of 5 stars (9,015 reviews)
Why We Chose It:
This captivating memoir follows Herman Lehmann’s experience as a captive of the Apache and Comanche tribes. His nine years living with Native Americans provides a unique and personal glimpse into Native American culture and survival.
Fun Fact:
Lehmann was captured by Apache raiders as a child and later adopted by the Comanche, where he fully integrated into their way of life.
Category: Native American History
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9. American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America
Author: Colin Woodard
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (5,003 reviews)
Why We Chose It:
This book offers an in-depth look at how North America was shaped by eleven distinct “nations” or regional cultures. Colin Woodard’s analysis includes the complex relationships between Native American nations and European settlers.
Fun Fact:
Woodard explores how the regional cultures that developed in North America continue to influence the continent’s politics and conflicts today.
Category: Native American History
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8. The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America
Author: Walter R. Borneman
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars (702 reviews)
Why We Chose It:
Walter R. Borneman examines one of the most pivotal wars in North American history, highlighting the role Native American tribes played in the conflict between European powers.
Fun Fact:
Many Native American tribes allied with the French during this war, including the Algonquin and Huron, which significantly impacted the course of the war.
Category: Native American History
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7. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
Author: David Grann
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 out of 5 stars (77,100 reviews)
Why We Chose It:
This gripping book uncovers the Osage murders in the 1920s, a horrifying plot targeting the wealthiest Native American tribe due to oil discovered on their land. It also details the early history of the FBI.
Fun Fact:
The investigation into the Osage murders was one of the first major cases handled by the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover.
Category: Native American History
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6. By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land
Author: Rebecca Nagle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why We Chose It:
Rebecca Nagle’s compelling narrative sheds light on the generations-long battle for Native land and justice, making it a must-read for those who want to understand the modern-day fight for Native rights.
Fun Fact:
Rebecca Nagle is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and is an advocate for Native American rights, often speaking on land issues.
Category: Native American History
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5. The End of Everything: How Wars Descend into Annihilation
Author: Victor Davis Hanson
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,596 reviews)
Why We Chose It:
Hanson’s exploration of how wars end in complete destruction includes an important look at the conflicts between Native American tribes and European settlers.
Fun Fact:
The book highlights how Native American tactics often mirrored those of the European armies they faced, despite being outnumbered and outgunned.
Category: Native American History
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4. Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches
Author: S.C. Gwynne
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (19,793 reviews)
Why We Chose It:
Empire of the Summer Moon tells the story of the rise and fall of the Comanches, focusing on the legendary figure Quanah Parker. This book is both a historical and personal account of one of the most powerful Native American tribes in history.
Fun Fact:
Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanche, was the son of a Comanche chief and a white woman who had been captured as a child.
Category: Native American History
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3. By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land
Author: Rebecca Nagle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why We Chose It:
This compelling book explores the ongoing struggles of Native Americans for justice and land. Nagle, a member of the Cherokee Nation, provides a powerful narrative about fighting for indigenous rights.
Fun Fact:
Nagle’s book is partly based on her activism and journalism around the legal battles affecting Native American lands in the U.S.
Category: Native American History
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2. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Author: Charles C. Mann
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars
Why We Chose It:
Mann’s 1491 challenges long-held misconceptions about the Americas before European contact, offering a revisionist view of pre-Columbian Native American civilizations and their sophisticated societies.
Fun Fact:
Mann reveals that Native Americans had developed advanced agricultural techniques and urban settlements before the arrival of Columbus.
Category: Native American History
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1. Comanches: The History of a People
Author: T.R. Fehrenbach
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (574 reviews)
Why We Chose It:
This definitive history of the Comanche tribe is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American history. Fehrenbach details the rise of the Comanches as the “Lords of the Plains” and their eventual defeat by U.S. forces.
Fun Fact:
The Comanches were known for their unparalleled horsemanship and were considered one of the most powerful Native American tribes in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Category: Native American History
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