An excellent illustrated resource to learning about the Indians of the Great Lakes region. (Please disregard the typo in the book title above; that should be "Pictorial Guide.") --- Contents include: Part 1: The Indians (1. Who Are The Indians?; 2. Indian Languages; 3. Indian Dwellings) --- Part 2: Algonquian Stock (4. Algonkin; 5. Amikwa; 6. Chippewa; 7. Fox; 8. Illinois; 9. Kickapoo; 10. Marameg; 11. Mascouten; 12. Menominee; 13. Miami; 14. Missisauga; 15. Nipissing; 16. Ottawa; 17. Potawatomi; 18. Sauk) --- Part 3: Iroquoian Stock (19. Erie; 20. Huron; 21. Iroquois; 22. Neutrals; 23. Tionontati; 24. Wenrohronon) --- Part 4: Siouan Stock (25. Assegun; 26. Dakota; 27. Tutelo; 28. Winnebago)

Getting a general, basic idea of the numerous tribes which once (and still) populated the Great Lakes Area--as well as for getting a physical look at them, owing to the book's numerous illustrations.

The author's artistic renderings of different Indians; although sometimes kind of amateurish, they helped get a better picture of people who are often nothing more than lists of names.

Not that I disliked it, but the book isn't heavy on information; it's more of a quickie, at-a-glance guide, but that's to be expected. --- One thing that DOES now irk me a bit is the fact that there are no numbered footnotes back to the bibliography--there's one account in this book which I have not come across ANYWHERE else and I wish I knew which of the sources the author got it from! (There's also an illustration regarding a "medicine arrow"--which the author does not explain anywhere in the text. ???)

Find out more about the "Assegun," or "Bone Indians"...but I haven't been successful just yet!

Somewhat more educated regarding this subject, particularly on the physical appearances and differences between the tribes.

Is William J. Kubiak, who is also the illustrator.

It's the quickest and easiest way to get a good look at a vast number of different tribes, both physically and in terms of their cultures and customs.

If you're looking for a more INDEPTH look at these tribes, this book wouldn't be the best choice. As I said, it's rather light on facts and places more of an emphasis on the illustrations. It's a good starting point to learning more, though.

I admit I did think this book would have more text, but I'm not disappointed. In fact, this book has the first and only mention I have ever found of the tribe known as the Assegun, and of a massacre involving them which was supposed to have taken place on the Cheboygan River--not too far from where I live! However, I haven't had any luck finding further mention of this mysterious tribe elsewhere...I guess I'll have to keep looking. --- I once read a critical review of this edition of the book, which is much smaller than the original and in paperback. Apparently the original edition was a large hardcover (our library has a copy) with COLOR illustrations, whereas the widely available paperback version is in black and white. This makes a few of the illustrations harder to see in terms of detail, but in my opinion, if you've never seen the first edition, it's not too much of a drawback.

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Created Apr 26, 2006 at 9:45am • Submit your own review...