The Ecological Indian: Myth and History

Rating:
Summary: oh please!
Review: The research is, of course, correct in most places. The focus and following implied conclusions miss the truth. All Native American tribes differed. Krech focuses on groups that were less in tuned to the great circle of life. He goes on and on about certain specific facts about certain specific groups, focusing on facts (the way scientists do) and missing the overall "nature" of things. Not to mention his propensity to embellishment. He also does spend a lot of time focused on modern day indians who, like all human beings to find themselves in its path, have been assimilated by the tide of western civilization. A classic case of being the victim of an education steeped in empirical science.

Rating:
Summary: A fine book.
Review: This book is balanced, well-researched and, for a layman like me, very educational. Anyone who believes the myth that the Native Americans have traditionally been "earth friendly" should read this book.