Rating: 
Summary: This book will outrage you one way or the other!
Review: After reading this novel I couldn't help but feel I had just plowed through a book centering on the mafia. but I wasn't! It was a biography of an Indian tribe. The amount of lying, betrayal, greed, and corruption that goes on in this story rivals anything that I have ever read. And it is all true. many investigations have shown that benedict's research is all exact and while Foxwoods and the Pequots obviously deny it all they can't hide. Unfortunately the Federal government along with the state is completely involved with the billion dollar a year casino and refuses to do anything about the mistakes that were made. Records show that those claiming to be Pequots aren't Indians at all. If they are Indians they are not descendants from another tribe that did not reside in CT. Furthermore those that came to claim tribal membership to the government only did so a few months prior to appearing before the Federal government. As was shown in similar cases they would not have been recognized. Basically what this book shows is how lawyers took advantage of early laws to establish a way to generate tons of money. Through strong arm tactics, threats, and lies Tureen and his crew were able to get the Pequots recognized without the US government even attempting to check into the claim and also awarded them much more land than they originally were intending. As the story pans out a huge web of corruption ensues. benedict represents the story in such a compelling fashion you hardly believe it isn't fiction. From Lawyers defending the small town of Ledyard jumping ship to side with the Pequots for profit and gains to the head chairman of Indian Affairs covering up laws to allow the Foxwoods casino to expand all paints a picture of how money rules our government. Simpathetic to the tribe the Lawyers for the Pequots pushed and pushed and put Hayward and his rag tag band of potential Indians in a position to buy their way into anything. When they wanted something they just paid the state of CT for it like their ability to get slot machines costing them 100 million every year in payments to the state. Or through campaigne contributions to President Clinton the corruption goes all the way to the top. This is a must read for anyone to see how money is all that matters in this great land of ours. And that now even after all of this evidence has come to light the federal government refuses to take any action that would cost them that money.
Rating:
Summary: This book will outrage you one way or the other!
Review: After reading this novel I couldn't help but feel I had just plowed through a book centering on the mafia. but I wasn't! It was a biography of an Indian tribe. The amount of lying, betrayal, greed, and corruption that goes on in this story rivals anything that I have ever read. And it is all true. many investigations have shown that benedict's research is all exact and while Foxwoods and the Pequots obviously deny it all they can't hide. Unfortunately the Federal government along with the state is completely involved with the billion dollar a year casino and refuses to do anything about the mistakes that were made. Records show that those claiming to be Pequots aren't Indians at all. If they are Indians they are not descendants from another tribe that did not reside in CT. Furthermore those that came to claim tribal membership to the government only did so a few months prior to appearing before the Federal government. As was shown in similar cases they would not have been recognized. Basically what this book shows is how lawyers took advantage of early laws to establish a way to generate tons of money. Through strong arm tactics, threats, and lies Tureen and his crew were able to get the Pequots recognized without the US government even attempting to check into the claim and also awarded them much more land than they originally were intending. As the story pans out a huge web of corruption ensues. benedict represents the story in such a compelling fashion you hardly believe it isn't fiction. From Lawyers defending the small town of Ledyard jumping ship to side with the Pequots for profit and gains to the head chairman of Indian Affairs covering up laws to allow the Foxwoods casino to expand all paints a picture of how money rules our government. Simpathetic to the tribe the Lawyers for the Pequots pushed and pushed and put Hayward and his rag tag band of potential Indians in a position to buy their way into anything. When they wanted something they just paid the state of CT for it like their ability to get slot machines costing them 100 million every year in payments to the state. Or through campaigne contributions to President Clinton the corruption goes all the way to the top. This is a must read for anyone to see how money is all that matters in this great land of ours. And that now even after all of this evidence has come to light the federal government refuses to take any action that would cost them that money.
Rating: 
Summary: Every politician and tax-payer should read this book
Review: Every US politician and tax-payer should read this book. It is a great example of how the US political system can be manipulated by unscrupulous lawyers. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe was granted Federal Tribal Status, and hence a reservation by pulling the wool over the eyes of Connecticut and Federal politicians asleep at the wheel. They failed to meet many of the required Federal criteria to be recognized as a tribe, especially sound genetic links to the original Pequot Indians, yet they breezed through the process thanks to a bunch of slick lawyers. They didn't stop there either. They continued to manipulate politicians to build a huge casino and basically paid off the state of Connecticut for the license to run slot machines. I know that Native Americans faced many wrong-doings by the US Government over history. If the Mashantucket Pequots were real Indians, I would be happy for them. "Without Reservation" cleary shows that the founders and members of the tribe are NOT real Indians.Overall I thought the book was excellent and kept the story moving fast. The book also had an updated section on the reaction that author Jeff Benedict received when the book came out, including a 60-minutes investigation. The story isn't done yet either. The Mashantuckets continue to try to expand their ever-growing reservation. I'll be keeping my eyes open for articles in the paper on what happens. The only negatives about the book were that at times the reader is flooded by extreme legal-ness to the point of confusion, and that the maps describing disputed land could have been a lot better. The pros of this book definitely outweigh the cons though!
Rating: 
Summary: A Tendentious Book
Review: Evidently the Pequots didn't speak with this guy. I can see why. The book is really tendentious. I'd suggest instead "Hitting The Jackpot" by a former Washington Post reporter. I heard about it in the local newspaper and it's very good. Much more informed and balanced and powerful. Whichever book you like, get educated on this!
Rating:
Summary: A Tendentious Book
Review: Evidently the Pequots didn't speak with this guy. I can see why. The book is really tendentious. I'd suggest instead "Hitting The Jackpot" by a former Washington Post reporter. I heard about it in the local newspaper and it's very good. Much more informed and balanced and powerful. Whichever book you like, get educated on this!
Rating:
Summary: Politics Skews intent and accuracy as well as money
Review: I hope that as readers of this book people might venture into doing research on of their own before taking the word of a man that was trying to get "funded" by a White Casino Owner in an area close enough to be affected by Fox Wood, and was trying to run for Governor?
Rating:
Summary: Et Tu??!!??
Review: I live in the area of this casino. I remember when it was a big thing when the high stakes bingo was happening. It is true that you will be driving along this winding country road when all of a sudden a castle like building is before you. This book is hated by the members of this tribe. I know member before they were members and I can see why they would hate this book. This book very clearly speaks to the graft and ineptitude of our politicians, not to mention the low life lawyers. This book threatens to undo the windfall of cash for the tribal members. Mr. Benedict asks and answers questions that would seem to bring light to a corrupt proces with the BIA. He brings out the fact that their all important geneology is tainted; he brings to light the subject of the missing map indicating property lines; he also shows the power of foreign finances which is much more powerful then the mob's money. This book would have made it as a GREAT mystery book, from rags to riches; how deceitful man can be; how greed destroys a man's worth; if it wasn't a non-fiction. Buy the book and read it not so much as to put fear into you if you have any dealings with either governments but enjoy the part that it is all real and yet reads like a good fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Exploitation at it's best........
Review: I started reading this book in Borders and was compelled to buy it, because I had to find the justice or the "all is well" at the end of this story...unfortunately the story has not ended as Benedict states. I am a full blooded Native American and believe in the rights of all natives in this country, however I also believe that latching onto "native-americanism" as a means to gain what little goodness comes our way is the lowest form of greed. It makes my skin crawl. I don't think Benedict could give a more compelling detail of the events that took place. I believe every Native American law class should read this book, in hopes that we one day bring the truth to light and force the wrong doers to admit their pretenses or lack of better judgment. The rise of this said tribe reminds me of another crazy true story, the story of the only King of San Francisco. He existed because everybody played along to this man's statement that he was a prince of England and declared himself the King of San Francisco. He got many priveleges because people LET HIM!! I recommend this book to those who don't have anything important to do the next day. I was so angry midway through the book I couldn't go to sleep til' 1am and had to get up at 4am. Now that's a book for you!!
Rating:
Summary: Exploitation at it's best........
Review: I started reading this book in Borders and was compelled to buy it, because I had to find the justice or the "all is well" at the end of this story...unfortunately the story has not ended as Benedict states. I am a full blooded Native American and believe in the rights of all natives in this country, however I also believe that latching onto "native-americanism" as a means to gain what little goodness comes our way is the lowest form of greed. It makes my skin crawl. I don't think Benedict could give a more compelling detail of the events that took place. I believe every Native American law class should read this book, in hopes that we one day bring the truth to light and force the wrong doers to admit their pretenses or lack of better judgment. The rise of this said tribe reminds me of another crazy true story, the story of the only King of San Francisco. He existed because everybody played along to this man's statement that he was a prince of England and declared himself the King of San Francisco. He got many priveleges because people LET HIM!! I recommend this book to those who don't have anything important to do the next day. I was so angry midway through the book I couldn't go to sleep til' 1am and had to get up at 4am. Now that's a book for you!!
Rating:
Summary: great summer read
Review: I'd never really thought of Foxwoods until the Maine Indian tribes proposed a similar casino project near my town in southern Maine. This book is chilling and it is heartbreaking to see what has been perpetrated on the citizens of SE Connecticut through complacency and indifference. It is also frightening to learn what can be accomplished when intelligence is married to greed and selfishness. Where were the elected officials to protect the interests of their constituents?!!!! The reviewer who says that this book is full of innuendo and misstatements obviously has ulterior motives and is not disclosing them (or am I just completely jaded after this book?). Anyway, back to the book. I found it impossible to put down, it is a real page turner. Enjoy it, and hope the scourge of casino gambling with all it's false promises never rears it's ugly head in your area.
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