Topic: Western America Paper details: The book review essay parameters: 1) convey a sense of what each author accomplishes in broadening our understanding of Native Americans, 2) describe truly new information and interpretations that emerge from your reading of these books

QUESTION

Topic: Western America

Paper details:

The book review essay parameters: 1) convey a sense of what each author accomplishes in broadening our understanding of Native Americans, 2) describe truly new information and interpretations that emerge from your reading of these books, 3) explain their authors’ methods of writing and argumentation, 4) comment upon those aspects of the works that you find complicated or poorly developed, and 5) conclude with reference to the extent to which the books seem to suggest new ways of looking at people and events that shaped the American West. 6) Chicago Format. Books: Andrew R. Graybill’s The Red and the White: A Family Saga of the American West (W. W. Norton, 2013) and Frederick E. Hoxie’s This Indian Country: American Indian Activists and the Place They Made (Penguin, 2012).

ANSWER

Title: Broadening Perspectives on Native Americans in Western America: A Book Review Essay

Introduction

The American West holds a rich history, deeply intertwined with the experiences and contributions of Native Americans. This book review essay examines two significant works, Andrew R. Graybill’s “The Red and the White: A Family Saga of the American West” and Frederick E. Hoxie’s “This Indian Country: American Indian Activists and the Place They Made,” which shed new light on the Native American narrative. Through an exploration of these books, this essay aims to convey the accomplishments of each author in broadening our understanding of Native Americans in Western America.

Conveying a Sense of Accomplishment

Both Graybill and Hoxie successfully contribute to our understanding of Native Americans by delving into different aspects of their experiences in Western America. Graybill’s “The Red and the White” focuses on a family saga, using a microhistorical approach to illuminate the complexities of Native-white relations (The Linguistics of Social Media: Communication of Emotions and Values in Sport – ProQuest, n.d.). This book provides a deeply personal and intimate perspective, revealing the diverse ways Native Americans navigated the changing landscapes of the American West. On the other hand, Hoxie’s “This Indian Country” concentrates on American Indian activists, examining their struggles, achievements, and the significant role they played in shaping the West. By highlighting the agency and resilience of Native Americans, Hoxie expands our understanding of their contributions to Western American history.

 New Information and Interpretations

Both books present new information and interpretations that challenge traditional narratives. Graybill uncovers lesser-known stories of Native Americans through the lens of a single family, revealing their interactions with whites, their negotiations for survival, and their resilience in the face of adversity. Hoxie sheds light on the vibrant activism of Native Americans, which often goes unnoticed in mainstream historical accounts. By emphasizing the agency and activism of Native Americans, Hoxie redefines their role as active participants in shaping the American West.

Authors’ Methods of Writing and Argumentation

Graybill utilizes a narrative-driven approach in “The Red and the White,” skillfully weaving together personal stories, archival research, and historical context to create a compelling and accessible narrative. His argumentation is grounded in meticulous research, drawing upon primary sources to support his analysis. In “This Indian Country,” Hoxie employs a more analytical approach, combining extensive research with insightful analysis to highlight the contributions and challenges faced by Native American activists. His arguments are persuasive and well-supported, providing a comprehensive understanding of their activism.

Complicated or Poorly Developed Aspects

While both books offer valuable contributions, they do have certain aspects that could be further developed. Graybill’s “The Red and the White” occasionally lacks a broader historical context, focusing primarily on the microhistory of the family saga (Kainz, 2020). This narrow scope limits the book’s ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of Native American experiences in Western America. Hoxie’s “This Indian Country” occasionally assumes a level of prior knowledge, making it challenging for readers unfamiliar with Native American history to fully grasp the context and significance of certain events.

New Ways of Looking at the American West

Both books suggest new ways of looking at people and events that shaped the American West. Graybill’s focus on personal narratives and individual experiences challenges the dominant narrative that often overlooks Native American agency (Representing Africa in Children’s Literature, n.d.). By humanizing the stories, Graybill invites readers to reconsider their understanding of Native American history. Hoxie’s emphasis on Native American activists highlights their pivotal role in shaping the West, debunking the notion of Native Americans as passive victims. These books present a more nuanced and multifaceted perspective, prompting a reevaluation of the American West’s historical narrative.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Andrew R. Graybill’s “The Red and the White” and Frederick E Hoxie’s “This Indian Country” contribute significantly to our understanding of Native Americans in Western America. Graybill’s microhistorical approach provides personal insights into the Native American experience, while Hoxie’s focus on activism illuminates their agency and contributions. While both books have their complexities and areas for improvement, they offer fresh interpretations and challenge existing narratives. Ultimately, they broaden our understanding of the American West by presenting new perspectives on the people and events that shaped its history.

References

Kainz, W. (2020). Cartography and the others – aspects of a complicated relationship. Geo-spatial Information Science, 23(1), 52–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/10095020.2020.1718000 

Representing Africa in Children’s Literature. (n.d.). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=EMuSAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=New+Ways+of+Looking+at+the+American+West&ots=-E2EEjpgCq&sig=_sywCcdb-JpM3jg0yFKNkp1bKz0 

The Linguistics of Social Media: Communication of Emotions and Values in Sport – ProQuest. (n.d.). https://search.proquest.com/openview/20cda2bf2854cd18c6495a1059d1fa73/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=28711