An excellent account of the systematic dispossession of the Leni Lenape (Delaware Indians). Craig delves into the relationships between native groups, questions the conclusions of previous historians who clung to the Penn family paper trail, and thereby makes a strong case for the Walking Purchase as a major factor in the development of hostilities among the dispossessed Lenape who retreated first to the Wyoming valley of PA and then the Ohio region (current day Pittsburgh and its environs).

Promised Land got me excited about returning to the subject of my Masters degree work, culture contact in colonial America. I am wondering now how the conflict between New Englanders from Connecticut and the province of Pennsylvania contributed to the death of Teedyuscung, the Lenape chief who brought formal complaint to Pennsylvania and Sir William Johnson.

Great stuff. I cannot recommend it enough. ( )