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Native America: The Story of the First Peoples
An epic deep history of the Indigenous peoples of North America, covering more than 20,000 years of astonishing diversity, adaptation, resilience, and continuity
Native America presents an infinitely surprising and fascinating deep history of the continent’s Indigenous peoples. Kenneth Feder, a leading expert on Native American history and archaeology, draws on archaeological, historical, and cultural evidence to tell the ongoing story, more than 20,000 years in the making, of an incredibly resilient and diverse mixture of peoples, revealing how they have ingeniously adapted to the many changing environments of the continent, from the Arctic to the desert Southwest.
Richly illustrated, Native America introduces close to a hundred different peoples, each with their own language, economic and social system, and religious beliefs. Here, we meet the Pequot, Tunxis, Iroquois, and Huron of the Northeast; the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Apache of the Southwest; the Hidatsa, Mandan, and Lakota of the Northern Plains; the Haida, Kwakiutl, Nootka, and Salish of the Northwest Coast; the Tule River and Mohave of Southern California; the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole of the Southeast; and the Inuit and Kalaallit of the Arctic. We learn about hunters of enormous Ice Age beasts; people who raised stone toolmaking to the level of art; a Native American empire ruled by a king and queen, with a huge city at its center and colonies hundreds of miles away; a society that made the desert bloom by designing complex irrigation networks; brilliant architects who built fairy castles in sandstone cliffs; and artists who produced beautiful and moving petroglyphs and pictographs that reflect their deep thinking about history, the sacred, the land, and the sky.
Native America is not about peoples of the past, but vibrant, living ones with an epic history of genius and tenacity—a history that everyone should know.
Native America presents an infinitely surprising and fascinating deep history of the continent’s Indigenous peoples. Kenneth Feder, a leading expert on Native American history and archaeology, draws on archaeological, historical, and cultural evidence to tell the ongoing story, more than 20,000 years in the making, of an incredibly resilient and diverse mixture of peoples, revealing how they have ingeniously adapted to the many changing environments of the continent, from the Arctic to the desert Southwest.
Richly illustrated, Native America introduces close to a hundred different peoples, each with their own language, economic and social system, and religious beliefs. Here, we meet the Pequot, Tunxis, Iroquois, and Huron of the Northeast; the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Apache of the Southwest; the Hidatsa, Mandan, and Lakota of the Northern Plains; the Haida, Kwakiutl, Nootka, and Salish of the Northwest Coast; the Tule River and Mohave of Southern California; the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole of the Southeast; and the Inuit and Kalaallit of the Arctic. We learn about hunters of enormous Ice Age beasts; people who raised stone toolmaking to the level of art; a Native American empire ruled by a king and queen, with a huge city at its center and colonies hundreds of miles away; a society that made the desert bloom by designing complex irrigation networks; brilliant architects who built fairy castles in sandstone cliffs; and artists who produced beautiful and moving petroglyphs and pictographs that reflect their deep thinking about history, the sacred, the land, and the sky.
Native America is not about peoples of the past, but vibrant, living ones with an epic history of genius and tenacity—a history that everyone should know.
425 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2025
15 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 5, 2025
I saw this sitting in my local library just a few days after I had thought that I would love to know more about indigenous populations. This book did not disappoint! It is a fantastic overview of the archaeological elements of natives peoples from all around North America. I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining of a read it was. The author does a great job of adding in some humor and lightheartedness, while also addressing the woefully inadequate education and cultural awareness that we have for the history of native peoples in this country.
January 15, 2026
A comprehensive book about the earliest Americans, including how they likely migrated here, based on archaeological studies. While few sentient Americans believe Columbus “discovered “ America, it’s true that native/indigenous people have lived in these parts for some 20,000 years.
The author takes us on a journey around the US, examining the evidence of how the various groups (tribes) settled and evolved tools, agriculture, and social structures…until the Europeans came.
There is much evidence of sophisticated practices that evolved over time, including art for art’s sake, burial practices, and war. The author also devotes time to detailing many of the places and methods Europeans employed to decimate and, in many cases, eliminate the native populations.
This is a tough one to rate, because it includes quite a bit of information that all Americans should know, yet some of it can be dry like any history textbook. The author (and narrator) injects humor and sarcasm wherever he can, which helps significantly. 4.5 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HighbridgeAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #NativeAmerica for review purposes. Publication date: 20 January 2026.
The author takes us on a journey around the US, examining the evidence of how the various groups (tribes) settled and evolved tools, agriculture, and social structures…until the Europeans came.
There is much evidence of sophisticated practices that evolved over time, including art for art’s sake, burial practices, and war. The author also devotes time to detailing many of the places and methods Europeans employed to decimate and, in many cases, eliminate the native populations.
This is a tough one to rate, because it includes quite a bit of information that all Americans should know, yet some of it can be dry like any history textbook. The author (and narrator) injects humor and sarcasm wherever he can, which helps significantly. 4.5 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HighbridgeAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #NativeAmerica for review purposes. Publication date: 20 January 2026.
January 31, 2026
Didn't completely finish. Non-Fiction scientific explanations of the timeline of when the native people inhabited North America. Very interesting facts.
November 5, 2025
Have read a few different books about this subject. I did learn new information. I enjoyed all the details, data, and photos presented, but the bit of Indigenous history that occurred in northwest Connecticut was especially compelling as I grew up in Western Massachusetts on the Connecticut border - so very close. Very readable. Much respect and outspoken for Indigenous people and their long history (a giant thumbs up here). The humor fun, but sometime a bit overboard. :)
February 24, 2026
Native America: The Story of the First Peoples by Kenneth L. Feder is a sweeping and engaging survey of the deep and diverse history of Indigenous peoples across what is now called North America. Feder, an experienced archaeologist and scholar, uses archaeological evidence, historical knowledge, and cultural context to craft a narrative that spans more than 20,000 years—from the first migrations into the continent through centuries of Indigenous developments long before European arrival, up to the ongoing presence and resilience of Native communities today.
At its core, Native America functions as both a comprehensive introduction for readers new to the subject and a respectful corrective to long-standing myths about Indigenous peoples. Far from presenting Native cultures as static or “primitive,” Feder illustrates them as complex, adaptive, and deeply innovative societies whose histories have been largely overshadowed in mainstream narratives.
Content Overview & Structure
Feder’s book is organized thematically and geographically to highlight the diversity of Indigenous cultures, movements, and systems of knowledge across the continent. Below are the major topics and themes addressed:
1. Earliest Peoples and Migrations
Feder begins with the first migrations into North America—likely across the Bering Land Bridge during the last Ice Age—and explores how these early peoples spread into every ecological niche, from the Arctic to the desert Southwest. Archaeological finds, including stone tools and megafauna hunting sites, anchor this deep history and emphasize that human habitation here predates European contact by thousands of years.
2. Regional Cultures & Lifeways
One of the book’s strengths is its regional breadth. Feder introduces readers to nearly a hundred distinct groups—such as the Iroquois, Hopi, Lakota, Haida, Mohave, Cherokee, and Inuit—detailing each group’s language, economy, social organization, and religious beliefs. He showcases how environmental adaptation shaped lifeways: irrigation systems in arid regions, monumental earthworks in the Midwest, complex trade networks based on items like copper, and beautifully crafted artistic traditions.
3. Complex Societies & Achievements
The book highlights achievements that challenge outdated stereotypes. For example, Feder describes urban centers, large-scale mound complexes, and sophisticated architectural feats like cliff dwellings. Indigenous populations developed agricultural systems, crafted intricate tools and art, and maintained rich spiritual traditions tied to land and cosmos—all long before Europeans arrived.
4. Encounters with Europeans
While the narrative focuses heavily on pre-contact history, Feder also addresses the period of European contact and colonization—not as a “discovery” of an empty land, but as a moment of collision between long-established Indigenous worlds and expanding European powers. He critiques narratives that marginalize Indigenous agency and describes the impact of warfare, disease, displacement, and cultural suppression, including boarding schools aimed at eradicating Native languages and traditions.
5. Contemporary Presence
Importantly, Feder emphasizes that Native Americans are not relics of the past: they are living communities whose histories continue. Rich illustrations, photographs, and personal anecdotes from the author help make the narrative vivid and accessible, demonstrating a continuity of presence, resilience, and cultural adaptation.
Writing Style & Accessibility
Feder writes with clarity, warmth, and occasional humor, making complex archaeological and historical material approachable without sacrificing academic rigor. The book balances detailed evidence with narrative flow, making it suitable for students, general readers, and anyone seeking a broader, more inclusive view of North American history.
Native American Studies: Academic Context
It’s worth noting that Native American studies—the broader academic field that informs and situates Feder’s work—is itself a relatively recent discipline. Emerging in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Native American studies arose in universities as an interdisciplinary field dedicated to Indigenous perspectives on history, culture, politics, and contemporary issues. It draws from anthropology, history, literature, political science, and ethnic studies to challenge Eurocentric narratives and center Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty.
Though Native America contributes to this field, it also helps bridge a gap: many aspects of Indigenous history—especially those predating European contact—were often excluded or minimized in traditional curricula. Feder’s work aligns with a broader scholarly shift toward acknowledging Indigenous agency, depth of history, and cultural complexity.
Conclusion
Native America: The Story of the First Peoples stands as an important, accessible, and well-researched contribution to the literature on Indigenous history. It reframes North American history from the view of its original inhabitants rather than from the perspective of later arrivals, highlighting thousands of years of cultural innovation, adaptation, and resilience. For readers seeking a deeper, evidence-based understanding of Native histories and cultures—and for those curious about why Native American studies has such urgency and relevance today—this book is a compelling starting point.
At its core, Native America functions as both a comprehensive introduction for readers new to the subject and a respectful corrective to long-standing myths about Indigenous peoples. Far from presenting Native cultures as static or “primitive,” Feder illustrates them as complex, adaptive, and deeply innovative societies whose histories have been largely overshadowed in mainstream narratives.
Content Overview & Structure
Feder’s book is organized thematically and geographically to highlight the diversity of Indigenous cultures, movements, and systems of knowledge across the continent. Below are the major topics and themes addressed:
1. Earliest Peoples and Migrations
Feder begins with the first migrations into North America—likely across the Bering Land Bridge during the last Ice Age—and explores how these early peoples spread into every ecological niche, from the Arctic to the desert Southwest. Archaeological finds, including stone tools and megafauna hunting sites, anchor this deep history and emphasize that human habitation here predates European contact by thousands of years.
2. Regional Cultures & Lifeways
One of the book’s strengths is its regional breadth. Feder introduces readers to nearly a hundred distinct groups—such as the Iroquois, Hopi, Lakota, Haida, Mohave, Cherokee, and Inuit—detailing each group’s language, economy, social organization, and religious beliefs. He showcases how environmental adaptation shaped lifeways: irrigation systems in arid regions, monumental earthworks in the Midwest, complex trade networks based on items like copper, and beautifully crafted artistic traditions.
3. Complex Societies & Achievements
The book highlights achievements that challenge outdated stereotypes. For example, Feder describes urban centers, large-scale mound complexes, and sophisticated architectural feats like cliff dwellings. Indigenous populations developed agricultural systems, crafted intricate tools and art, and maintained rich spiritual traditions tied to land and cosmos—all long before Europeans arrived.
4. Encounters with Europeans
While the narrative focuses heavily on pre-contact history, Feder also addresses the period of European contact and colonization—not as a “discovery” of an empty land, but as a moment of collision between long-established Indigenous worlds and expanding European powers. He critiques narratives that marginalize Indigenous agency and describes the impact of warfare, disease, displacement, and cultural suppression, including boarding schools aimed at eradicating Native languages and traditions.
5. Contemporary Presence
Importantly, Feder emphasizes that Native Americans are not relics of the past: they are living communities whose histories continue. Rich illustrations, photographs, and personal anecdotes from the author help make the narrative vivid and accessible, demonstrating a continuity of presence, resilience, and cultural adaptation.
Writing Style & Accessibility
Feder writes with clarity, warmth, and occasional humor, making complex archaeological and historical material approachable without sacrificing academic rigor. The book balances detailed evidence with narrative flow, making it suitable for students, general readers, and anyone seeking a broader, more inclusive view of North American history.
Native American Studies: Academic Context
It’s worth noting that Native American studies—the broader academic field that informs and situates Feder’s work—is itself a relatively recent discipline. Emerging in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Native American studies arose in universities as an interdisciplinary field dedicated to Indigenous perspectives on history, culture, politics, and contemporary issues. It draws from anthropology, history, literature, political science, and ethnic studies to challenge Eurocentric narratives and center Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty.
Though Native America contributes to this field, it also helps bridge a gap: many aspects of Indigenous history—especially those predating European contact—were often excluded or minimized in traditional curricula. Feder’s work aligns with a broader scholarly shift toward acknowledging Indigenous agency, depth of history, and cultural complexity.
Conclusion
Native America: The Story of the First Peoples stands as an important, accessible, and well-researched contribution to the literature on Indigenous history. It reframes North American history from the view of its original inhabitants rather than from the perspective of later arrivals, highlighting thousands of years of cultural innovation, adaptation, and resilience. For readers seeking a deeper, evidence-based understanding of Native histories and cultures—and for those curious about why Native American studies has such urgency and relevance today—this book is a compelling starting point.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for this ALC!
“Native America: The Story of the First Peoples” is an incredibly riveting work by professor of archaeology Kenneth Feder, with the audiobook read by Adam Barr. It tells us of the stories and histories of many different American Indigenous cultures. Using archaeological, historical and cultural evidence, Feder tells us of the origins of several of the groups of Indigenous people who have lived and currently live on the continent, what their lives looked like, as well as what the invasion of European colonisers did to the people and their cultures.
I truly do not have a single bad thing to say about this book. I was a little worried, going into it, that it would be dry or hard to focus on, and I had some reservations reading a book on the history of Indigenous Americans written by someone who isn't part of that group, but all my worries were dispelled within the first few chapters. Feder approaches the telling of these histories and stories with a great amount of empathy, respect and deference to Native American people and scholars. He is also incredibly witty, which made this book a complete joy to experience. I really didn’t wanna pause the audiobook, and spent every bit of free time I could find listening.
This is the type of work of nonfiction where you can really tell that the author is not only passionate about the topic itself, but also about getting to tell others of it. You can just tell he cares, which immediately makes you care even more, makes you want to learn. He adds his own experiences of travelling, teaching and learning to the historical/archaeological facts, which were immensely interesting to hear about.
The structure of this book is also perfect, taking you first through time, then through the cultural and lived experiences which differed based on the different environments people lived in, to cultural works of art, stories of war and of course the horrible history of European invasion and ethnic cleansing.
The narrator, Adam Barr, also manages to perfectly bring across the wit and earnestness of Feder’s work, plus his voice just fits exactly the vibe and tone of this book.
An absolutely phenomenal work, definitely a must-read if you like history, generally, or if you want to learn more about the stories of the First Peoples of America. I cannot recommend this enough.
“Native America: The Story of the First Peoples” is an incredibly riveting work by professor of archaeology Kenneth Feder, with the audiobook read by Adam Barr. It tells us of the stories and histories of many different American Indigenous cultures. Using archaeological, historical and cultural evidence, Feder tells us of the origins of several of the groups of Indigenous people who have lived and currently live on the continent, what their lives looked like, as well as what the invasion of European colonisers did to the people and their cultures.
I truly do not have a single bad thing to say about this book. I was a little worried, going into it, that it would be dry or hard to focus on, and I had some reservations reading a book on the history of Indigenous Americans written by someone who isn't part of that group, but all my worries were dispelled within the first few chapters. Feder approaches the telling of these histories and stories with a great amount of empathy, respect and deference to Native American people and scholars. He is also incredibly witty, which made this book a complete joy to experience. I really didn’t wanna pause the audiobook, and spent every bit of free time I could find listening.
This is the type of work of nonfiction where you can really tell that the author is not only passionate about the topic itself, but also about getting to tell others of it. You can just tell he cares, which immediately makes you care even more, makes you want to learn. He adds his own experiences of travelling, teaching and learning to the historical/archaeological facts, which were immensely interesting to hear about.
The structure of this book is also perfect, taking you first through time, then through the cultural and lived experiences which differed based on the different environments people lived in, to cultural works of art, stories of war and of course the horrible history of European invasion and ethnic cleansing.
The narrator, Adam Barr, also manages to perfectly bring across the wit and earnestness of Feder’s work, plus his voice just fits exactly the vibe and tone of this book.
An absolutely phenomenal work, definitely a must-read if you like history, generally, or if you want to learn more about the stories of the First Peoples of America. I cannot recommend this enough.
January 23, 2026
Native America is a comprehensive history of Native Americans, across North America. It goes from the initial peopling of North America and the multiple theories regarding this, goes into the various archaic cultures over the continent. The book then goes into the various groups over the continent and their history and culture and differences between the groups. It also goes into the Europeans “discovering” North America and the relationship between various Native American groups and Europeans. It also has chapters specifically on art and war.
This is comprehensive and very engaging listen on this history that everyone should know but is woefully not taught in schools. It shows the breadth of rich cultures that were and are present in North America. It also shows how contact with Europeans attempted to decimated the people and their culture. Beyond that it also does a good job at showing how a lot of common myths about these people are false.
Despite being a very deep and often sad topic the author does a good job at injecting humour and sarcasm where appropriate. I found it added to the book and made it more entertaining.
The narrator did a great job with keeping the humour and sarcasm in the book. He also does a great job at keep an engaging tone to what could be a very try dry topic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is comprehensive and very engaging listen on this history that everyone should know but is woefully not taught in schools. It shows the breadth of rich cultures that were and are present in North America. It also shows how contact with Europeans attempted to decimated the people and their culture. Beyond that it also does a good job at showing how a lot of common myths about these people are false.
Despite being a very deep and often sad topic the author does a good job at injecting humour and sarcasm where appropriate. I found it added to the book and made it more entertaining.
The narrator did a great job with keeping the humour and sarcasm in the book. He also does a great job at keep an engaging tone to what could be a very try dry topic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2026
In Native America: The Story of the First Peoples, archeologist Kenneth L, Feder provides a fascinating and in depth look at Indigenous life and culture before as well as after, European arrival, a story, as the publisher’s blurb says, ‘20,000 years in the making’. Using historical as well as archeological evidence, he debunks many of the myths and biases regarding Indigenous including the idea that they lived a mostly subsistence hand-to-mouth existence.
In fact, he shows how they were able to, for example, successfully transplant maize or corn from its original southern climate to further north, built impressive irrigation systems, had an understanding of astronomy, created amazing art as well as tools, and built structures that survived over centuries. He also discusses their relationships with neighbouring tribes and, later, with Europeans.
And he manages to make what could easily be a dry, academic tome, not only interesting but highly engaging, with a touch of humour and even sarcasm, making it easily accessible to those of us who lack a background in archeology or without much knowledge of First Nations history or culture, sadly, subjects rarely taught in school but should be.
I received an early audiobook from Highbridge Audio narrated by Adam Barr who does an exceptional job. All opinions are my own
In fact, he shows how they were able to, for example, successfully transplant maize or corn from its original southern climate to further north, built impressive irrigation systems, had an understanding of astronomy, created amazing art as well as tools, and built structures that survived over centuries. He also discusses their relationships with neighbouring tribes and, later, with Europeans.
And he manages to make what could easily be a dry, academic tome, not only interesting but highly engaging, with a touch of humour and even sarcasm, making it easily accessible to those of us who lack a background in archeology or without much knowledge of First Nations history or culture, sadly, subjects rarely taught in school but should be.
I received an early audiobook from Highbridge Audio narrated by Adam Barr who does an exceptional job. All opinions are my own
January 14, 2026
This was not what I was expecting, it was better.
Going in, I thought this might be a fairly dry, textbook-style overview, but it turned out to be surprisingly engaging. Feder strikes a really good balance between history, archaeology, and science without ever letting it feel heavy or academic. The explanations are clear, thoughtful, and approachable, and the evidence-based approach adds a lot of depth without bogging things down.
What I appreciated most is how it challenges myths and oversimplifications while still being readable and genuinely interesting. It never felt preachy or dull, which is something I was half-expecting given the subject matter. Instead, it felt informative in the best way; you learn a lot, but it doesn’t feel like work.
If you’re looking for a solid, well-rounded introduction to Indigenous history in the Americas that respects both cultural narratives and scientific research, this is a great pick. Definitely better than I anticipated, and absolutely worth the read.
#NativeAmerica #NetGalley
Going in, I thought this might be a fairly dry, textbook-style overview, but it turned out to be surprisingly engaging. Feder strikes a really good balance between history, archaeology, and science without ever letting it feel heavy or academic. The explanations are clear, thoughtful, and approachable, and the evidence-based approach adds a lot of depth without bogging things down.
What I appreciated most is how it challenges myths and oversimplifications while still being readable and genuinely interesting. It never felt preachy or dull, which is something I was half-expecting given the subject matter. Instead, it felt informative in the best way; you learn a lot, but it doesn’t feel like work.
If you’re looking for a solid, well-rounded introduction to Indigenous history in the Americas that respects both cultural narratives and scientific research, this is a great pick. Definitely better than I anticipated, and absolutely worth the read.
#NativeAmerica #NetGalley
January 23, 2026
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed listening to this one. I found this to be a really good overview of the topics and history of the indigenous groups of the Americas. It is really easy for readers to digest the information and can serve as an introduction to the topics featured in this book. I did like that this book didn't really shy away from some topics and wants the reader to take away the information and issues within this book. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for an overview of the history.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed listening to this one. I found this to be a really good overview of the topics and history of the indigenous groups of the Americas. It is really easy for readers to digest the information and can serve as an introduction to the topics featured in this book. I did like that this book didn't really shy away from some topics and wants the reader to take away the information and issues within this book. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for an overview of the history.
January 20, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an ALC of this book!
Native America was such an eye opening book for me. There were so many details and facts that were well laid out and explained. I really appreciated the authors ability to break the readers preconceived notions with ideas that are taught in the classroom that may be different than how we originally perceived it to be. This was challenging and insightful!
Native America was such an eye opening book for me. There were so many details and facts that were well laid out and explained. I really appreciated the authors ability to break the readers preconceived notions with ideas that are taught in the classroom that may be different than how we originally perceived it to be. This was challenging and insightful!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews