Wilcomb E. Washburn (1925–1997)

It's a corrective account in that it dismisses the tendency to link Bacon's 1676 rebellion with a somewhat more famous one that came a century later. But Washburn overcompensates with a noticeable bias in favor of colonial governor William Berkeley.

I bought Red Man’s Land – White Man’s Law by Wilcomb E. Washburn before going into the Army in 1971. It has languished on my bookshelves, or in a box, ever since. I had thought Washburn’s book would be another look at American history from the Native American perspective. It turns out that Red Man’s Land – White Man’s Law is more a “current affairs” sort of book. And I waited 37 years to read it. Oops!

Much of my negative feeling toward Red Man’s Land – White Man’s show more Law is my own fault. I obviously waited way too long. But it also makes me question the value of saving other “current affairs” books for very long. I should probably try to find the 1995 Second Edition, both to see how Nixon’s policies worked out, and to give Washburn to same opportunity to apply hindsight that I used in reading his book.

My complete review is on my blog, Nate's Library, specifically at: http://nates-library.blogspot.com/2008/12/wilcomb-e-washburn-red-mans-land-white... show less

I can give Red Man’s Land - White Man’s Law, Second Edition a qualified recommendation. The historical background is pretty interesting. But the relationships among Indian Nations, the Federal Government, and various State Governments are still evolving.

My complete review is on my blog, Nate's Library, specifically at: http://nates-library.blogspot.com/2009/02/wilcomb-e-washburn-red-mans-land-white...

Good breadth of the subject, good visuals...