Waldman opens the book with a description of how humans arrived in the Western Hemisphere. The "Ancient Civilizations" of Mesoamerica, such as the Olmec and Maya are well summarised, before the author turns to the Southwest peoples - the Anasazi, Hohokan and Salado communities. He explains the often overlooked or poorly considered Moundbuilders of the Lower Midwest. The section on "Indian Lifeways" turns to areas like California, the Pacific Coast, and Subarcic regions. While these peoples didn't achieve the strongly hierarchical civilisations of Mesoamerica, their various social structures were complex and dynamic. Their economic systems allowed them to endure and they adapted well to change, something too often lacking in Mesoamerica. To a limited extent, the geography and environment hosting these people granted them the flexibility to maintain a dynamic society, even in precarious conditions.

One aspect of life they were poorly prepared for was the European intrusion. Waldman sets aside a section to introduce the problems introduced by European colonisation. The litany of wars and rebellions take up a hundred pages of the text. The accompanying maps showing battle sites sparkle with stars indicating clash sites. Some of these wars have almost disappeared from historical accounts of North American settlement. It's a good reminder of how the whites took over the hemisphere and what cost that hegemony extracted from the native population.

In time, war was replaced by "Land Cessions" and resettlement. The reservation system, never a fixed idea, is carefully explained by Waldman. The modern result of reservation communities and the ambivalent policies surrounding both the settlements and their populations gave rise to a new awareness among Indian people. The poor acknowledgement of Indian contributions in two world wars was but one of many irritants leading to "uprisings" at Wounded Knee and elsewhere. The author goes on to list major Indian government agencies and Indian organisations and facilities. Indian place names, often overlooked, are listed, with the modern "nation" structures for the US and Canada provided. In all, this book will be a firm base from which to expand a study of Indian circumstances for the future. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]


Realistic and accurate review!   August 22, 2004
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Having travelling the American West and discussed matters with native americans I find this publication very refreshing and informative. First class publication supplying brilliant background data to anyone interested in the American Indian and their history.


Excellent reference work on North American Indian Nations   August 29, 1999
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

I bought this book because I needed to have a clearer geographical picture on the North American Indian Nations covered by "500 Nations" (the TV-series and the CD-ROM). What I got is a lot more than I expected! The title "Atlas..." is truly an understatement! This book covers the geography, the social and historical issues involved in the genesis and evolution of these Great Nations!

If you're looking for a very extensive reference work on the North American Indian Nations, buy this book!


Fabulous Book that tells/graphs the story without bias.   June 3, 1999
 4 out of 8 found this review helpful

Highly recommended due to it's unbiased reporting of a long and very complex subject. It professionally avoids all the syrupy PC sentimentalism of the 90s "diversity" campaigns. Just the facts, figures, graphs, and awesome maps!! Refreshing break from all the extreme-leftist propaganda out there. Highly recommended for secondary teachers studying for the SS Praxis and SS SSAT Exams.