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The Chosen and The Damned: Native Americans and the Making of Race in the United States
A sweeping chronicle placing race at the center of Native American U.S. history, from the award-winning author of This Land Is Their Land.
When the colonial era began, Europeans did not consider themselves as “Whites,” and Native Americans did not think of themselves as “Indians.” Yet as a genocidal struggle for America unfolded over the course of generations, all that changed. Euro-Americans developed a sense of racial identity, superiority, and national mission-of being chosen. They contended that Indians were damned to disappear so Whites could spread Christian civilization. Native people countered that the Great Spirit had created Indians and Whites separately and intended America to belong to Indians alone.
In The Chosen and the Damned, acclaimed historian David J. Silverman traces Indian-White racial arguments across four centuries, from the bloody colonial wars for territory to the national wars of extermination justified as “Manifest Destiny"; from the creation of reservations and boarding schools to the rise of the Red Power movement and beyond. In this transformative retelling, Silverman shows how White identity, defined against Indians, became central to American nationhood. He also reveals how Indian identity contributed to Native Americans' resistance and resilience as modern tribal people, even as it has sometimes pit them against one another on the basis of race.
The epochal story of race in America is typically understood as a Black and White issue. The Chosen and the Damned restores the defining role Native people have played, and continue to play, in our national history.
When the colonial era began, Europeans did not consider themselves as “Whites,” and Native Americans did not think of themselves as “Indians.” Yet as a genocidal struggle for America unfolded over the course of generations, all that changed. Euro-Americans developed a sense of racial identity, superiority, and national mission-of being chosen. They contended that Indians were damned to disappear so Whites could spread Christian civilization. Native people countered that the Great Spirit had created Indians and Whites separately and intended America to belong to Indians alone.
In The Chosen and the Damned, acclaimed historian David J. Silverman traces Indian-White racial arguments across four centuries, from the bloody colonial wars for territory to the national wars of extermination justified as “Manifest Destiny"; from the creation of reservations and boarding schools to the rise of the Red Power movement and beyond. In this transformative retelling, Silverman shows how White identity, defined against Indians, became central to American nationhood. He also reveals how Indian identity contributed to Native Americans' resistance and resilience as modern tribal people, even as it has sometimes pit them against one another on the basis of race.
The epochal story of race in America is typically understood as a Black and White issue. The Chosen and the Damned restores the defining role Native people have played, and continue to play, in our national history.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2026
About the author
David J. Silverman
23 books41 followersDavid J. Silverman is Professor of History at George Washington University. He is the author of the award-winning This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and Troubled History of Thanksgiving (Bloomsbury, 2019), as well as Thundersticks, Ninigret, Red Brethren, and Faith and Boundaries. His essays have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post, National Geographic, and the Daily Beast. He lives in Washington, D.C.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 11, 2026
For close to 500 years, the white Christian has lived on the North American continent with Indians and for much of that time the white Christian has, under the guises of "civilizing" or "evangelizing," tried to subjugate, influence, control, coerce, and manipulate the Indians in order to seize land, wealth and power. Silverman's book goes to great lengths detailing these attempts and the atrocities that resulted from them. He also makes the argument that Americans' focus on race as the main divider between people started not with the dynamics between white and Black but with the relationship between white Christians and Native Americans. It's a very good book on a subject that probably hasn't gotten a fair treatment, if one at all.
February 11, 2026
This book challenges everything we think we know about race in America.
By centering Native voices, Silverman exposes how genocide, identity, and resistance shaped the nation—and why Indigenous history must be part of today’s racial conversations.
By centering Native voices, Silverman exposes how genocide, identity, and resistance shaped the nation—and why Indigenous history must be part of today’s racial conversations.
March 17, 2026
Fantastic, detailed, and gripping. A remarkable, wide-reaching analysis of American history through the often-forgotten tale of Native genocide and identity creation. A model history that every historian should aspire to, in their own way, replicate and learn from.
March 1, 2026
Well… As if we have not read about all this in myriad books, watched DVDs dealing with this sad subject. Always victims, no matter what.
Imagine if whites had simply left them alone to fend for themselves and we know what they'd be saying now. That they were ignored and further marginalized and that we refused to educate them because we wanted to exclude them.
Imagine that primitive peoples (not even using wheels) of scarcely populated Europe are colonialized by advanced technologically inhabitants of North America. The exactly same history would have occurred, with European whites being racialized and oppressed victims. We all have the same propensity to do harm and sufferings. The race/colour of the skin has nothing to do with this.
The book argues that Native peoples were foundational to the formation of white racial identity and that the binary understanding of race in America as solely Black and white overlooks the central role of Indigenous experiences. It is perhaps valid argument.
However while the book itself stands as a major contribution to American racial history, its reception may and should reflect broader tensions in the field between traditional historiography and emerging Indigenous-centered scholarship.
Finally: I would love to read a good book suggesting humane colonialism and coexistence of white and AmerIndians- the better solution for the nasty past. It is obvious that considering large population of Europeans and advanced technology, it was impossible that vast and almost empty North America landmass could have stayed out of reach of explorers and white adventurers using ships able to cross Atlantic.
Imagine if whites had simply left them alone to fend for themselves and we know what they'd be saying now. That they were ignored and further marginalized and that we refused to educate them because we wanted to exclude them.
Imagine that primitive peoples (not even using wheels) of scarcely populated Europe are colonialized by advanced technologically inhabitants of North America. The exactly same history would have occurred, with European whites being racialized and oppressed victims. We all have the same propensity to do harm and sufferings. The race/colour of the skin has nothing to do with this.
The book argues that Native peoples were foundational to the formation of white racial identity and that the binary understanding of race in America as solely Black and white overlooks the central role of Indigenous experiences. It is perhaps valid argument.
However while the book itself stands as a major contribution to American racial history, its reception may and should reflect broader tensions in the field between traditional historiography and emerging Indigenous-centered scholarship.
Finally: I would love to read a good book suggesting humane colonialism and coexistence of white and AmerIndians- the better solution for the nasty past. It is obvious that considering large population of Europeans and advanced technology, it was impossible that vast and almost empty North America landmass could have stayed out of reach of explorers and white adventurers using ships able to cross Atlantic.
March 21, 2026
That Silverman convincingly argues that the United States has, and in some cases continues to, conducted a genocide against the Indigenous nations of North America is unquestionable. He masterfully outlined how the oft ignored story of race in EuroAmerican-Indigenous relations has indelibly shaped the US-American state and its society. The creation of whiteness cannot be understood without an understanding of the creation of Indianness. And grasping the racial landscape of today demands coming to grips with the full racial history of the United States.
Perhaps the only criticism I can levy is that the format of the book, a wide-spanning treatment of the entirety of US history from colonization to the present, did not provide the space for a deeper exploration of the origins of racial thinking. In the early chapters, we are told that the roots of racial thinking already existed among European invaders and to a lesser extent among Indigenous nations. I felt that how these roots were propagated into fully-fledged racial ideologies was somewhat lacking.
Overall an excellent analysis of the pernicious influence of race in the United States' attempts to, at best, expropriate Indigenous nations' lands and, at worst, exterminate Indigenous peoples all together.
Perhaps the only criticism I can levy is that the format of the book, a wide-spanning treatment of the entirety of US history from colonization to the present, did not provide the space for a deeper exploration of the origins of racial thinking. In the early chapters, we are told that the roots of racial thinking already existed among European invaders and to a lesser extent among Indigenous nations. I felt that how these roots were propagated into fully-fledged racial ideologies was somewhat lacking.
Overall an excellent analysis of the pernicious influence of race in the United States' attempts to, at best, expropriate Indigenous nations' lands and, at worst, exterminate Indigenous peoples all together.
March 31, 2026
This was an incredibly engaging and thoughtfully written book that I genuinely enjoyed from start to finish. From the very first chapter, the story pulled me in with its strong sense of direction and well-crafted narrative.
One of the standout aspects for me was the character development. The characters felt real, with clear motivations and emotional depth that made it easy to connect with their journey. I found myself invested in their decisions and curious to see how everything would unfold.
The writing style was smooth and immersive, making it easy to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. I also appreciated how the author handled the themes throughout the book they were presented in a way that felt natural and thought-provoking without being forced.
There were several moments that stood out and stayed with me even after I finished reading, which is always a sign of a memorable book. The pacing was consistent, and the story maintained my interest all the way to a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, this was a rewarding reading experience, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-told and meaningful story. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
One of the standout aspects for me was the character development. The characters felt real, with clear motivations and emotional depth that made it easy to connect with their journey. I found myself invested in their decisions and curious to see how everything would unfold.
The writing style was smooth and immersive, making it easy to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. I also appreciated how the author handled the themes throughout the book they were presented in a way that felt natural and thought-provoking without being forced.
There were several moments that stood out and stayed with me even after I finished reading, which is always a sign of a memorable book. The pacing was consistent, and the story maintained my interest all the way to a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, this was a rewarding reading experience, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-told and meaningful story. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What an impressive work of research and history. Not for the faint of heart as Prof. Silverman recounts the genocide and settler colonialism of White Europeans again America’s native population. From its colonial beginnings through the current Trump regime, the book lays out in a detailed, and readable, way the intentional elimination (or in 18th century phrasing “extirpation”) of all Indians in what is now the United States. This book is not for the faint of heart as the stories of physical and sexual assault, violence and even the kidnapping of children by the government (for those who might think it isn’t a US tradition) can be rather impactful emotionally.
Recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of the U.S. Part of the same foundational works as “A People’s History of the United States, “, “A New Jim Crow“, "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” and my favorite non-fiction book “The Warmth of Other Suns."
Recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of the U.S. Part of the same foundational works as “A People’s History of the United States, “, “A New Jim Crow“, "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” and my favorite non-fiction book “The Warmth of Other Suns."
April 2, 2026
The Chosen and The Damned: Native Americans and the Making of Race in the United States by David J. Silverman offers a sweeping and deeply researched account of how racial identity in the United States was shaped through interactions with Native peoples. Silverman traces four centuries of conflict, colonization, and policy from the colonial era through Manifest Destiny, reservations, and boarding schools revealing how White identity was constructed against Indigenous resistance.
By centering Native Americans in the story of race in America, this work challenges conventional narratives and illuminates the enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples to modern identity, culture, and political life. This book is essential reading for those interested in race, history, and the ongoing legacy of colonialism in the United States.
By centering Native Americans in the story of race in America, this work challenges conventional narratives and illuminates the enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples to modern identity, culture, and political life. This book is essential reading for those interested in race, history, and the ongoing legacy of colonialism in the United States.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)
As I read through The Chosen and the Damned, it was hard to imagine how author David Silverman could possibly be any more thorough with the subject matter. This overview of race and its central role in the defining of identities of the indigenous population of what became the US and what became the "white" majority population feels both comprehensive, but also accessible - not to mention refreshingly honest at times. This feels like that this will rapidly turn into one of the new must-reads for those looking to strengthen their understanding of native American history,
As I read through The Chosen and the Damned, it was hard to imagine how author David Silverman could possibly be any more thorough with the subject matter. This overview of race and its central role in the defining of identities of the indigenous population of what became the US and what became the "white" majority population feels both comprehensive, but also accessible - not to mention refreshingly honest at times. This feels like that this will rapidly turn into one of the new must-reads for those looking to strengthen their understanding of native American history,
April 12, 2026
I really liked Silverman’s This Land is Their Land, so this new book had a high bar to clear for me, and in opinion it cleared it and then some. This is one of the best articulations of how U.S. racial ideology was centrally influenced by White interpretations and responses to Native peoples. In many ways, it feels like a different version of the primary argument of Edward Said's Orientalism, that White identity is always constructed in response to the racial Other. And like Said, Silverman brings extensive documentation to make this argument, putting together one of the most comprehensive histories of Native-Settler relations in North America.
April 19, 2026
An eye opening history of native americans and what our historical "heroes" did to them. I learned about a lot of tribes that I never knew existed, but placenames from those tribes are common. Now when I travel, I will know where those names came from and reflect on that heritage.
January 24, 2026
A thorough and thoughtful treatment of Native history.
This was an ARC
This was an ARC
April 25, 2026
Wow. Amazing book.
May 17, 2026
All roads lead back to Orientalism by Edward Said. Negative reference groups as a precursor to the creation of racism and white supremacy in the US.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews