Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America

The conventional story of America, according to Pekka Hämäläinen's book Indigenous Continent, is a myth and distortion that portrays Indigenous peoples as helpless victims of colonial violence. He presents a counter-narrative that shows that Native nations dominated the continent for centuries after the first European arrivals, frequently decimating white newcomers in battle. By 1776, various colonial powers claimed nearly all of the continent, but Indigenous peoples still controlled it. Hämäläinen contends that the notion of "colonial America" is misleading and that we should speak of an "Indigenous America" that was only slowly and unevenly becoming colonial.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2023
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

A tale of exploration and discovery, the story of America has long been a source of fascination and intrigue. According to the narrative, Christopher Columbus stumbled upon a mysterious continent and returned with tales of untold riches. Eager to claim as much of this "New World" as possible, European empires rushed in, often at the expense of Indigenous peoples who fought back valiantly but ultimately failed to halt the onslaught. It was believed that white imperialists were destined to rule the continent, and history was an irreversible march toward Indigenous destruction.

However, as with other long-accepted origin stories, this one too turns out to be based in myth and distortion. In Indigenous Continent, acclaimed historian Pekka Hämäläinen presents a sweeping counter-narrative that shatters the most basic assumptions about American history. Shifting our perspective away from Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, the Revolution, and other well-trodden episodes on the conventional timeline, he depicts a sovereign world of Native nations whose members, far from helpless victims of colonial violence, dominated the continent for centuries after the first European arrivals.

From the Iroquois in the Northeast to the Comanches on the Plains, and from the Pueblos in the Southwest to the Cherokees in the Southeast, Native nations frequently decimated white newcomers in battle. Even as the white population exploded and colonists' land greed grew more extravagant, Indigenous peoples flourished due to sophisticated diplomacy and leadership structures.

By 1776, various colonial powers claimed nearly all of the continent, but Indigenous peoples still controlled it. As Hämäläinen points out, the maps in modern textbooks that paint much of North America in neat, color-coded blocks confuse outlandish imperial boasts for actual holdings. In fact, Native power peaked in the late nineteenth century, with the Lakota victory in 1876 a testament to their resilience and strength.

Indigenous Continent is a groundbreaking work that challenges our understanding of American history and offers a fresh perspective on the complex and often overlooked relationship between Native nations and the United States. It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the rich and complex history of the Americas.

Weight: 666g
Dimension: 210 x 138 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781324094067