Reflections: On Time, Culture, and Spirits in America

by Dennis McCarty

Dennis McCarty’s On Time, Culture, and Spirits in America weaves American history, culture, and science into a tour de force of what might be called, “atheist spirituality.” He ponders rain, wind, continental drift, nuclear power, Manifest Destiny, and the Native American genocide, to ask a crucial question for our How will we respond when the Native American past becomes the Euro-American future? McCarty’s writing is rapturously poetic in some places, discomfortingly frank in others. His conclusions may challenge some readers. But few will be able to forget this extraordinary book.

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2018

Reviews

[Vic Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

McCarty covers a lot of ground both physically and mentally on his "rolling retreat.' If you are familiar with the history of the American west the stories he relates about First Nations contact with Euro-American culture will be familiar, especially the defeat of Custer. I did read one story I wasn't familiar with but should have been.
I've always loved movies. I've watched literally thousands of them including John Ford's "Cheyenne Autumn." I've probably seen at least four times between my own watching and having it come up in various movie and cinematography classes. I had never heard the story of the Navajo extras in the movie and what, exactly, they were doing. Absolutely hilarious.
McCarty's writing reminds me of both Steinbeck and John McPhee. The words form soothing sounds but the message can be discomforting. His essays can be both informative and jarring. His observations seem to be coming, naturally and honestly, from his natural openness and honesty. The fact that his travels brought right through my neck of the woods only added to my enjoyment of "Reflections."
I would highly recommend "Reflections" to anyone who is interested in First Nations/Euro-American history, the history of the region from the Great Lakes to the eastern side of the Rockies, and especially to anyone of a philosophic bent pondering the world we are faced with today.