Sacred Revolt: The Muskogees' Struggle for a New World

by Joel W. Martin

The Muskogees' Struggle for a New World

'In Sacred Revolt Joel Martin places the 1813-1814 revolt of the people who were called 'Creek Indians' in the context of world history while forsaking nothing of the texture of their own culture. With a deft use of multiple perspectives, he has rewritten a chapter in the history of the Old South. His book will do much to freshen stale ways of thinking about a valiant people.'

-Charles Hudson, author of The Southeastern Indians

Genres: History, Native American, Nonfiction, Indigenous

248 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Sam Orndorff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a concerted look at the religious practices of 19th century Muskogee society. It does a great job of highlighting that aspect of the social movement known as the Red Sticks.

Despite a few dubious claims (the author is, after all, neither Indigenous, nor Muskogee), the book succeeds in humanizing or taking a cultural look at what has mostly been understood through a military/political lense.

If you're looking to learn about the Creek War this is an excellent example since it connects a lot of different data to re-examine the history. More work remains on the topic (which is why I'm writing a book about the Red Sticks -- to understand how they sought to decolonize their land.)

[James S. · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Good book about the "Creek" (Muskogee) Redstick rebellion of 1813-1814. Highly sympathetic to the Muskogees. Readable and illuminating. Only criticism is that the author's main argument - that the Muskogee religion was central to the revolt - gets a little lost in the second half of the book. But overall, this is probably one of the best books about this conflict, which, despite being almost totally forgotten, contains the largest Native revolt against colonial rule as well as one of the greatest land grabs the U.S. ever got. It also catapulted some big names into prominence: Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and of course, Andrew Jackson. Recommended.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're at all interested in the political and social climate of the Muskogee people during the war spanning 1812-1814 (and including the massacre at Fort Mims), then this book is for you. It's scholarly and precise but clear and easy to read. Great source of information, and probably more credible than my family legends.