The Autobiography of a Winnebago Indian: Life, Ways, Acculturation and the Peyote Cult

by Paul Radin

Ethnobiography of late 19th, early 20th century; tribal life, acculturation, peyote, loss of values, etc.

Genres: Anthropology, Native American, History

91 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1963

About the author

He was an American cultural anthropologist and folklorist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Radin

Reviews

[Lucy S]

I found this in a second hand bookshop in Portland, Oregon - originally published in 1920 (context for the amount of misogyny that abounds). This book was interesting because the concept of 'autobiography' is really called into question when the work has been given so, so many 'clarifying' footnotes by an editor.
The fact that other Winnebago people refused to speak with Radin says a lot. This book was illuminating and absorbing in a lot of ways but I'm extremely cautious about trusting Radin's authority as well as the motives behind S.B. wanting to share his story in which Winnebago traditions are ultimately shown as evil and fake, and the Christian leanings of the peyote cult as holy.

[readee v. wilbury]

has more ftnotes than IJ. some interesting stuff on performance here and some rich stuff near the end on relig but outside of that would absolutely not recommend. many ftnotes read more like conjecture than anything else.

[Carley Windorff]

The author notes in his intro that any autobiography translated from the subject is warped by the translator, but assured the reader this is as direct a telling as one can get. Then the author proceeds to editorialize and mansplain in colonial and imperialistic speak in footnotes that often take up half a page, every page. The parts as told by the subject were great. Could have done without the ridiculous foot notes.

*edited to add please go read Mountain Wolf Woman as edited by Nancy Oestrich Lurie.

[Dan]

Fascinating look at early 20th century native American culture through one man's experience.

[Erica]

An engrossing and revealing read. Interesting enough to be a memoir, and full of tasty anthropological tidbits for the sociologist in you.

[Thompson]

An overall interesting book of anthropology.