Vine Deloria's foreword describes author Frank Waters as "the premiere writer of the American West." In this testimonial to the bravery of great Native American heroes, Waters combines biography, history, and historical photographs and artwork to portray the lives of such leaders as Crazy Horse, Powhatan, Tecumseh, Black Hawk, Chief Joseph, Osceola, and Chief Seattle, among others.

Waters's profiles include a dramatic depiction of the major turning points in each man's life and leadership. Iroquois Deganawidah, for example (also known as the Peacemaker), miraculously survived many attempts on his life in order to bring about his lifelong dream of peace and confederation among the eight Iroquois tribes. The League of Iroquois that the Peacemaker implemented wrote a constitution which was believed to have influenced the Constitution of the United States of America. Also included in this volume of essays are the stirring speeches of Chief Joseph surrendering at Bear Paw Mountain and Chief Seattle at the signing of the Port Elliot Treaty, wherein the Duwamish tribe was forced to give up its land at Puget Sound. Indians were later banned from the city that bore the chief's name. --Susan Swartwout


From Publishers Weekly
These simply written, straightforward profiles depict Native American figures whose names will be familiar to history buffs. Veteran author Waters ( Book of the Hopi ) selects 20 Indian leaders whose lives had a profound effect on settlers and their own people, from colonial times to Wounded Knee. There are notable speeches from Tecumseh, Black Hawk and Chiefs Joseph and Seattle. We meet Powhatan and Pontiac, Massasoit and Deganawidah (organizer of the Iroquois League), Osceola and Sequoyah. Waters treats the Great Plains warriors, including Red Cloud and Crazy Horse, as one unit, describing the battles at Little Big Horn and Wounded Knee. This volume will serve as a valuable introduction to Native American history. Illustrations. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
The lives of Native American prophets, warriors, statesmen, and orators, including Pontiac, Tecumseh, Sequoyah, Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and Chief Joseph, are briefly related in Waters's new book. Frequently rumored to be a contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature, Waters has written over 20 books, including such classics as The Man Who Killed the Deer (1942), Book of the Hopi (1977), Masked Gods (1950), and People of the Valley (1941). The preface includes a tribute to his father, who was of Cheyenne heritage. Arranged both chronologically and geographically, the work is connected the attempts of these Indian leaders to unify their people in the fight against Native American displacement. The book provides an entertaining introduction to the subjects but is not meant for extensive research; the bibliography provides the titles of available sources for more in-depth information. Waters highlights the quiet dignity and strength of these leaders when faced with insurmountable odds. Recommended for most collections.- Terri P. Summey, Emporia State Univ. Lib., Kan.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this his latest book, internationally celebrated author Frank Waters makes vivid the poignant, humorous, and heartbreaking lives of these Native American leaders that have been largely overlooked to the present. From the brilliant tactical abilities of famed warriors to the eloquent oratory of Indigenous philosophers, poets, and statesmen, the profiles in Brave Are My People contribute to the correction of this error of omission. These portraits also represent the essence of Waters' dedicated and life-long effort to share the inspiration he has received through his close contact with the Indian culture.

About the Author:

Nominated five times for the Nobel Prize in Literature, Frank Waters has authored more than 20 books, including the classic works "The Man Who Killed the Deer" (continuously in print for over 40 years) and "Book of the Hopi" (more than 1 million copies sold).

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

These simply written, straightforward profiles depict Native American figures whose names will be familiar to history buffs. Veteran author Waters ( Book of the Hopi ) selects 20 Indian leaders whose lives had a profound effect on settlers and their own people, from colonial times to Wounded Knee. There are notable speeches from Tecumseh, Black Hawk and Chiefs Joseph and Seattle. We meet Powhatan and Pontiac, Massasoit and Deganawidah (organizer of the Iroquois League), Osceola and Sequoyah. Waters treats the Great Plains warriors, including Red Cloud and Crazy Horse, as one unit, describing the battles at Little Big Horn and Wounded Knee. This volume will serve as a valuable introduction to Native American history. Illustrations. (Mar.)

Library Journal

The lives of Native American prophets, warriors, statesmen, and orators, including Pontiac, Tecumseh, Sequoyah, Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and Chief Joseph, are briefly related in Waters's new book . Frequently rumored to be a contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature, Waters has written over 20 books, including such classics as The Man Who Killed the Deer (1942), Book of the Hopi (1977), Masked Gods (1950), and People of the Valley (1941) . The preface includes a tribute to his father, who was of Cheyenne heritage. Arranged both chronologically and geographically, the work is connected the attempts of these Indian leaders to unify their people in the fight against Native American displacement. The book provides an entertaining introduction to the subjects but is not meant for extensive research; the bibliography provides the titles of available sources for more in-depth information. Waters highlights the quiet dignity and strength of these leaders when faced with insurmountable odds. Recommended for most collections.-- Terri P. Summey, Emporia State Univ. Lib., Kan.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING