The companion volume to the 1995 popular PBS series of the same name, 500 Nations is a richly illustrated, absorbingly written history of North America's indigenous peoples. Drawing on creation stories, oral history, archaeological evidence, federal documents, and hundreds of published sources, Josephy takes us on an encyclopedic journey through Native America's past and present. Few scholars have Josephy's command of his broad and complex subject, and fewer still write as dexterously. The result: the best one-volume, general-interest study of Native American history now available.


From Publishers Weekly
This stunningly illustrated companion to a forthcoming CBS television series (produced by Kevin Costner, James Wilson and Jack Leustig) stands on its own as a stirring introduction to hundreds of distinct Native American nations that once blanketed the North American continent. Largely a story of conquest, displacement, betrayal, genocide and forced assimilation, the book wondrously fuses an eloquent text and more than 450 illustrations, most in color, to convey a sense of each tribe's culture, social structure and struggle to survive in the face of white settlers' encroachments. Distinguished historian Josephy (The Patriot Chiefs) has written an extraordinary work focusing on a Native American viewpoint, which ranges from the ancient Maya and Olmec civilizations of Mexico to Hopewellian mound-builders of the Ohio Valley who forged a continent-wide trade network before A.D. 500, to the democratic Nez Perces of Idaho, Washington State and Oregon, nearly exterminated by 1880. 100,000 first printing; History Book Club main selection; BOMC alternate. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
YA?This companion to the television documentary is an excellent chronological overview of the history of North American Indians from the ancient legends of the peoples' origins to the problems faced during the Western expansion to the present. While Josephy does not explore specific tribes in great detail, he writes in a most interesting style that gives readers the feeling of being witnesses to the events. The narrative is brought to life by excerpts from journals and diaries as well as through contemporary interviews. The book is beautifully and colorfully illustrated with 485 paintings, drawings, prints, historical photographs, and artifacts. Many are large and eyecatching. The detailed index will assist researchers focusing in on a specific topic or person.?Sandi Hammonds, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VACopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
This pictorial pageant by the renowed historian and author is a companion volume to the upcoming TV series coproduced by Kevin Costner.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Midwest Book Review
This illustrated history of North American indians is a rich presentation which goes far beyond your usual Native American light coverage: chapters achieve epic form as they describe the hundreds of Indian nations which inhabited the continent, contrasting political systems, beliefs, and leadership. More so than most, this defines and helps categorize the differences between tribes.

ANNOTATION

The story of Native American leaders, customs, political systems, and ways of life, this is American history from the Native American perspective: friendship, betrayal, war, and ultimately, the loss of homeland. A companion volume to the CBS series produced by Kevin Costner, Jack Leustig, and James Wilson scheduled to air in 1995. Illustrations & photos.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This is the stirring, epic story—laden with courageous deeds and dreams fulfilled and betrayed—of the hundreds of Indian nations that have inhabited our continent for more than 15,000 years and their centuries-long struggle with the Europeans who arrived in ever-increasing hordes after 1492. Here is American history from the Native American point of view—a long saga of friendship, treachery, war, and ultimately the loss of homeland that began when Columbus disembarked at Hispaniola among the Arawaks, and came to a climax when the last groups of Sioux moved onto a reservation following the battle of Wounded Knee in 1890. "500 Nations" is a story of leaders, customs, political systems, and ways of life of men and women whom we meet through their own words, and others whose achievements have been resurrected from memory, memoir, and ancient documents.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

This stunningly illustrated companion to a forthcoming CBS television series (produced by Kevin Costner, James Wilson and Jack Leustig) stands on its own as a stirring introduction to hundreds of distinct Native American nations that once blanketed the North American continent. Largely a story of conquest, displacement, betrayal, genocide and forced assimilation, the book wondrously fuses an eloquent text and more than 450 illustrations, most in color, to convey a sense of each tribe's culture, social structure and struggle to survive in the face of white settlers' encroachments. Distinguished historian Josephy (The Patriot Chiefs) has written an extraordinary work focusing on a Native American viewpoint, which ranges from the ancient Maya and Olmec civilizations of Mexico to Hopewellian mound-builders of the Ohio Valley who forged a continent-wide trade network before A.D. 500, to the democratic Nez Perces of Idaho, Washington State and Oregon, nearly exterminated by 1880. 100,000 first printing; History Book Club main selection; BOMC alternate. (Nov.)

Library Journal

This pictorial pageant by the renowed historian and author is a companion volume to the upcoming TV series coproduced by Kevin Costner.

School Library Journal