Overview

Full Product Details

9781588346971

Table of Contents

Reviews

KIRKUS REVIEW Starred Review. In a beautifully produced and illustrated volume commemorating the National Native American Veterans Memorial, Harris, senior editor and writer at Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, and Hirsch, a historian at the museum, offer probing, informative essays examining Native Americans' participation in the armed forces. Drawing on interviews and historical documents, the authors show how motivations to serve were complex and varied: Some individuals wanted to learn a trade, get an education, experience the thrill of piloting a jet, explore new life horizons, strike a blow for gender equality, or uphold family traditions of military service that stretch back for generations. Some were drafted; for others, the military meant a job, meals, and stability that could not be found at home. Sometimes, the decision to align with the U.S. military was complicated by treaty alliances or tribal rivalries: defense of territory, revenge, resources, and challenge to traditional enemies. In the cases of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War, Native Americans--who were not U.S. citizens and realized that the government was hostile to tribal autonomy and covetous of tribal lands--were forced to choose sides or remain neutral. During the Civil War, some tribes aligned with the Union, others with Confederates, all hoping to renegotiate treaties once the war was over. The authors focus chapters on Native American warrior traditions, participation in the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and conflicts in the Middle East. They examine Native American service as scouts, interpreters, and intermediaries and offer many vivid profiles of individuals, personalizing the larger historical narrative. Although the authors write that the book is a chronicle of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things under often unforgiving circumstances, many profiled seem far from ordinary.

KIRKUS REVIEWS Starred Review. In a beautifully produced and illustrated volume commemorating the National Native American Veterans Memorial, Harris, senior editor and writer at Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, and Hirsch, a historian at the museum, offer probing, informative essays examining Native Americans' participation in the armed forces. Drawing on interviews and historical documents, the authors show how motivations to serve were complex and varied [...] Although the authors write that the book is a chronicle of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things under often unforgiving circumstances, many profiled seem far from ordinary. BOOKLIST This lavishly illustrated volume from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the dedication of the National Native American Veterans Memorial. Harris and Hirsch address the federal government's war against Native American tribes, which, later, did not prevent Native Americans from serving in the military. Though this is not a comprehensive history of Native American military service, it does cover a great deal of the stories, characters, and motivations behind it. As the main authors and other contributors, including Native Americans, delve into the complex relations between tribal nations and the U.S. in both chapters and many illuminating sidebars, they arrive at the inescapable conclusion that when called to service, Native Americans answered in numbers disproportionate to the population, and served with great bravery and honor. This many-faceted chronicle also contrasts the stereotype of a warrior culture held by white Americans with the facts about martial traditions, ceremonies, and the undeniable effectiveness of indigenous service members. This is a unique, handsomely produced, deeply enlightening, and invaluable volume ideal for public library collections. ARMY MAGAZINE This incredible heritage of more than two centuries of service comes to life in the pages of Why We Serve with its first-person accounts of the wartime experiences of the Native Americans who served. The rich narrative is augmented by a superb and expansive collection of photographs, maps, paintings and illustrations reflective of the people and their service. THE JOURNAL OF AMERICAN MILITARY PAST The book does an excellent job of highlighting Native American service in the armed forces, and it is attractively laid out, with scores of illustrations.

KIRKUS REVIEWS Starred Review. In a beautifully produced and illustrated volume commemorating the National Native American Veterans Memorial, Harris, senior editor and writer at Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, and Hirsch, a historian at the museum, offer probing, informative essays examining Native Americans' participation in the armed forces. Drawing on interviews and historical documents, the authors show how motivations to serve were complex and varied [...] Although the authors write that the book is a chronicle of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things under often unforgiving circumstances, many profiled seem far from ordinary. BOOKLIST This lavishly illustrated volume from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the dedication of the National Native American Veterans Memorial. Harris and Hirsch address the federal government's war against Native American tribes, which, later, did not prevent Native Americans from serving in the military. Though this is not a comprehensive history of Native American military service, it does cover a great deal of the stories, characters, and motivations behind it. As the main authors and other contributors, including Native Americans, delve into the complex relations between tribal nations and the U.S. in both chapters and many illuminating sidebars, they arrive at the inescapable conclusion that when called to service, Native Americans answered in numbers disproportionate to the population, and served with great bravery and honor. This many-faceted chronicle also contrasts the stereotype of a warrior culture held by white Americans with the facts about martial traditions, ceremonies, and the undeniable effectiveness of indigenous service members. This is a unique, handsomely produced, deeply enlightening, and invaluable volume ideal for public library collections.

Author Information

ALEXANDRA HARRIS and MARK HIRSCH are senior editor and historian, respectively, at the National Museum of the American Indian. Other contributors include Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne), Representative Deb Haaland (Pueblo of Laguna), Representative Markwayne Mullin (Cherokee Nation), Kevin Gover (Pawnee), Jefferson Keel (Chickasaw), and Herman Viola.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available