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The White Man's Indian: Images of the American Indian from Columbus to the Present
"A compelling and definitive history...of racist preconceptions in white behavior toward native Americans."—Leo Marx, The New York Times Book Review
Columbus called them "Indians" because his geography was faulty. But that name and, more important, the images it has come to suggest have endured for five centuries, not only obscuring the true identity of the original Americans but serving as an ideological weapon in their subjugation. Now, in this brilliant and deeply disturbing reinterpretation of the American past, Robert Berkhofer has written an impressively documented account of the self-serving stereotypes Europeans and white Americans have concocted about the "Indian": Noble Savage or bloodthirsty redskin, he was deemed inferior in the light of western, Christian civilization and manipulated to its benefit. A thought-provoking and revelatory study of the absolute, seemingly ineradicable pervasiveness of white racism, The White Man's Indian is a truly important book which penetrates to the very heart of our understanding of ourselves.
"A splendid inquiry into, and analysis of, the process whereby white adventurers and the white middle class fabricated the Indian to their own advantage. It deserves a wide and thoughtful readership."— Chronicle of Higher Education
Columbus called them "Indians" because his geography was faulty. But that name and, more important, the images it has come to suggest have endured for five centuries, not only obscuring the true identity of the original Americans but serving as an ideological weapon in their subjugation. Now, in this brilliant and deeply disturbing reinterpretation of the American past, Robert Berkhofer has written an impressively documented account of the self-serving stereotypes Europeans and white Americans have concocted about the "Indian": Noble Savage or bloodthirsty redskin, he was deemed inferior in the light of western, Christian civilization and manipulated to its benefit. A thought-provoking and revelatory study of the absolute, seemingly ineradicable pervasiveness of white racism, The White Man's Indian is a truly important book which penetrates to the very heart of our understanding of ourselves.
"A splendid inquiry into, and analysis of, the process whereby white adventurers and the white middle class fabricated the Indian to their own advantage. It deserves a wide and thoughtful readership."— Chronicle of Higher Education
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 23, 2021
This book was informative, though a bit of a slag to get through. However I will put it out there that I felt the book to move too slowly because I’ve already studied the topics covered in it. For those new to these topics, this book is an amazing place to start, and packed with information. I’d call it a perfect gateway to learning more about the general impact Europeans had on Native Americans and their many, diverse cultures.
I also liked the many connections made to different forms of media throughout the ages. It was nice being able to revaluate movies and books I had experienced as a child in a much more critical light.
I also liked the many connections made to different forms of media throughout the ages. It was nice being able to revaluate movies and books I had experienced as a child in a much more critical light.
October 15, 2020
I read this for school, and while it was undoubtedly informative it could definitely be repetitive at times, which made reading some parts a bit of a slog. A good read if you're interested in the topic and are a patient person, because you will have to be since you have to wait some time for the author to get to the point. I personally am not a patient person so I found myself wishing for an alternate form of learning about this interesting subject, but I am giving it some leeway because I know nonfiction intended for educational settings can be difficult to make engaging.
February 9, 2009
A great starting point at a subject so vast it would be near impossible to cover it all in one book. So take this book with a grain of salt. It is an introduction to so many subjects and those will have their very own tangents as well. It is a very dry read and yet leaves you wanting more and more. Has some great topics but it just barely scratches the surface. Worth taking a look at.
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September 23, 2024This book was really interesting but definitely dated given that it was written in 1978! At the same time it’s quite impressive it was written so long ago since I think it holds up pretty well. I think Berkhofer gets a bit distracted from the program at times but I still liked the book and felt like I learned some informative stuff even if I had to read it in one day.
August 12, 2017
Berkhofer argues that the European settlers constructed the idea of a common pan-Indian identity that never existed before. The Europeans lumped together all Aboriginal tribes under the term ‘Indian,’ regardless of the vast cultural and linguistic differences among these tribes.
January 24, 2020
Finished the book in one day. Read it for my college history class. It was a very enlightening read.
June 3, 2016
“The White Man’s Indian”
By Robert F. Berkhofer Jr.
‘Columbus called them “Indians” because his geography was faulty. But that name and, more importantly, the images it has come to suggest have endured for five centuries, not only obscuring the true identity of the original Americans but serving as an ideological weapon in their subjugation. Now, in this brilliant and deeply disturbing reinterpretation of the American past, Robert Berkhofer has written an impressively documented account of the self-serving stereotypes Europeans and white Americans have concocted about the “Indian”: Noble Savage or bloodthirsty redskin, he was deemed inferior in the light of the western, Christian civilization and manipulated to its benefit. A thought-provoking and revelatory study of the absolute, seemingly ineradicable pervasiveness of white racism, “The White Man’s Indian” is a truly important book which penetrates to the very heart of our understanding of ourselves.
I found this book in a thrift store located in Pacifica, California, very close to the beach. The cover is what caught my eye and hooked me into picking it up. The cover had the painting, “Going To And Returning From Washington”, painted by George Catlin in 1832. You will have to look it up and judge for yourself how profound the painting made for this book’s cover. Equally important, the read was definitely an eye opener; leaning toward educating me right.
This read was a disturbing account of the treatment toward Native Americans and their dismal plight from the first time they encountered the white race until the present. Equally moving was the fact that the United States, as a government as well as a democratic society, still has not learned how to effectively deal with other cultures and traditions by letting them “be their selves” instead of Americanizing them with morals, ethics, and laws.
As I read this book I became more and angrier at certain European countries and the United States for their complete ignorance as well as arrogance in refusing to accept, respect, and honestly work with the Natives in a humane, political way. Perhaps it was the politics that was corrupt; most likely the intent. I like to think that it just comes down to the selfish thinking that the white civilized way is the best and only way. This is sad to see even today that this is still true with countries that America has attempted to Americanized but failed. Just watch the national news for awhile and you will know which countries I am referring to.
If you care about lost or weak cultures having to deal with bullying societies read this book. There is nothing healthy about taking over a country and bullying its natives around while constantly rationalizing it away. After reading this book, I realize that what the United States, and certain European countries, did to the true natives of America was horrid and shameful; there is nothing patriotic about it; no freedom was won here. This is a must read if you want the truth about the past of the USA; take it all as wisdom not shame. It is time to think right and make it right.
By Robert F. Berkhofer Jr.
‘Columbus called them “Indians” because his geography was faulty. But that name and, more importantly, the images it has come to suggest have endured for five centuries, not only obscuring the true identity of the original Americans but serving as an ideological weapon in their subjugation. Now, in this brilliant and deeply disturbing reinterpretation of the American past, Robert Berkhofer has written an impressively documented account of the self-serving stereotypes Europeans and white Americans have concocted about the “Indian”: Noble Savage or bloodthirsty redskin, he was deemed inferior in the light of the western, Christian civilization and manipulated to its benefit. A thought-provoking and revelatory study of the absolute, seemingly ineradicable pervasiveness of white racism, “The White Man’s Indian” is a truly important book which penetrates to the very heart of our understanding of ourselves.
I found this book in a thrift store located in Pacifica, California, very close to the beach. The cover is what caught my eye and hooked me into picking it up. The cover had the painting, “Going To And Returning From Washington”, painted by George Catlin in 1832. You will have to look it up and judge for yourself how profound the painting made for this book’s cover. Equally important, the read was definitely an eye opener; leaning toward educating me right.
This read was a disturbing account of the treatment toward Native Americans and their dismal plight from the first time they encountered the white race until the present. Equally moving was the fact that the United States, as a government as well as a democratic society, still has not learned how to effectively deal with other cultures and traditions by letting them “be their selves” instead of Americanizing them with morals, ethics, and laws.
As I read this book I became more and angrier at certain European countries and the United States for their complete ignorance as well as arrogance in refusing to accept, respect, and honestly work with the Natives in a humane, political way. Perhaps it was the politics that was corrupt; most likely the intent. I like to think that it just comes down to the selfish thinking that the white civilized way is the best and only way. This is sad to see even today that this is still true with countries that America has attempted to Americanized but failed. Just watch the national news for awhile and you will know which countries I am referring to.
If you care about lost or weak cultures having to deal with bullying societies read this book. There is nothing healthy about taking over a country and bullying its natives around while constantly rationalizing it away. After reading this book, I realize that what the United States, and certain European countries, did to the true natives of America was horrid and shameful; there is nothing patriotic about it; no freedom was won here. This is a must read if you want the truth about the past of the USA; take it all as wisdom not shame. It is time to think right and make it right.
August 9, 2012
This book provides valuable context to Native American history in the U.S. by critically examining how, and to what purpose, whites have figured natives as "others." One section I found quite revelatory concerns the dueling characterizations of natives as either bloodthirsty savages or dying paragons of instinctive nobility. Berkhofer persuasively frames this double characterization in light of colonial objectives: by portraying native inhabitants as inherently noble, they were made fit subjects for inclusion into the empire; dictatorial rule over them was necessitated by descriptions of natives as savages. The book is stocked with similar insights. Highly recommended.
July 22, 2007
Just plain poorly written.
December 31, 2009
Great topic, and an important book central to American Indian studies for years. But very, very, VERY dry. It was tough to plod my way through but once I did I was glad to have read it. Interesting.
Want to read
August 16, 2011on kindle
November 1, 2015
This is a good book for anyone interested in the stereotypes and beliefs regarding Native Americans by Euro-Americans from the time of colonization through the present time.
February 29, 2016
A very intriguing history of how the native population of the Americans became "Indian" and the implications of using these terms.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews