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Guyasuta and the Fall of Indian America
Crytzer, Brady J.
- GenresHistory
286 pages, Hardcover
First published April 26, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 6, 2015
Two-and-a-quarter centuries have gone by for a proper biography of Guyasuta. This makes it one of the most awaited books in my personal library of Pittsburgh, early American history, and the American frontier.
This biography is the book to learn about the role of an influential sachem as the Ohio Country gradually gave way to colonial and American expansion.
A new statue commemorating Guyasuta's 1770 meeting with George Washington above the Forks of the Ohio, also drives new interest in the Mingo sachem. Guyasuta, 25, an experienced hunter and woodsman, is on a mission with an even younger, inexperienced Washington to the French in the Ohio Country. As he matures from capable guide to seasoned diplomat, Guyasuta's pursuit of Native American interests finds him siding with the French against the English, then the English against the Americans, and finally the Native Americans against the Settler Americans in three wars spread over four decades. In other words, on every side that Washington wasn't, and ultimately where their interests parted, their destinies part as well.
The book demonstrates remarkable command of early frontier life and warfare. Yet broad suppositions bring the general down to the specific with overstated certainty. In a weakness that hobbles histories of the early American frontier, political analysis is by turns too simplistic and too elaborate.
The author pulls the fabric of Guyasuta's life together from thin threads of evidence. The author must suppose his role and influence at historic events.
This biography is the book to learn about the role of an influential sachem as the Ohio Country gradually gave way to colonial and American expansion.
A new statue commemorating Guyasuta's 1770 meeting with George Washington above the Forks of the Ohio, also drives new interest in the Mingo sachem. Guyasuta, 25, an experienced hunter and woodsman, is on a mission with an even younger, inexperienced Washington to the French in the Ohio Country. As he matures from capable guide to seasoned diplomat, Guyasuta's pursuit of Native American interests finds him siding with the French against the English, then the English against the Americans, and finally the Native Americans against the Settler Americans in three wars spread over four decades. In other words, on every side that Washington wasn't, and ultimately where their interests parted, their destinies part as well.
The book demonstrates remarkable command of early frontier life and warfare. Yet broad suppositions bring the general down to the specific with overstated certainty. In a weakness that hobbles histories of the early American frontier, political analysis is by turns too simplistic and too elaborate.
The author pulls the fabric of Guyasuta's life together from thin threads of evidence. The author must suppose his role and influence at historic events.
May 15, 2020
Reading this book in a way brings my studies of the history of my backyard full circle. I first became aware of Brady Crytzer when he appeared on an Ohio history podcast talking about the great native leader Tecumseh. This was about three years ago now. I then discovered his podcast Wartime and had my eyes opened to the complex history of the Ohio Valley. Growing up in Ohio I had heard of the Treaty of Greenville, St Clair’s Defeat, and Tecumseh, but like most everyone else the complete history was never taught to me. Brady Crytzer’s podcast discussions began a now years long process that has lead to me reading multiple books on the Northwest Indian War, visiting multiple Ohio battle sites (with a visit to Fallen Timbers hopefully happening this year), and gaining a more complete understanding of the utterly fascinating history of the continent’s first wild frontier and the peoples that once lived here.
As someone who enjoys learning about the forgotten stories of the United Stares as much as the “mainstream” history, I highly recommend this book to every like minded history buff out there.
As someone who enjoys learning about the forgotten stories of the United Stares as much as the “mainstream” history, I highly recommend this book to every like minded history buff out there.
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September 11, 2020Excellent local Pittsburgh History, Learn your American Indian saga.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews