A FRIEND AMONG THE SENECAS: The Quaker Mission to Cornplanter's People

Rating:
Summary: A book about Indian Peace, not Indian Wars
Review: This book is fantastic and covers so many topics so thoroughly, it is hard to choose just one thing as the best part. The author tells about the Quakers, their history and beliefs, about the Iroquois and their history of war and land loss, as well as giving a rare glimpse into everyday life in the 1700's--games, religious festivals, feasts, mythology. The story of the interaction of the groups as they get to know each other and explore their similarities and differences is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and the author even includes a glimpse into the religious and social implications of the interaction for the Indians. The story of Handsome Lake is particularly well-told. At the end of the book, I felt that I understood the whole vast episode, and I even had a certain fondness for Henry Simmons, the irascible Quaker. His entire 1799 journal, which is a wonderful read, is included as an appendix, and is worth the price of the book.