Wilbur Edel's book "Kekionga" is in fact not a detailed description of the worst defeat of the American army led by general St Clair against the Native Americans in the late 18th century. The story of the battle itself merely takes one page in this book. So people mainly interested in pure military history will not find a satisfactory answer. But I don't thing Edel, who is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science, intended to write a book focusing only on the military aspects of this dramatic battle , which is in fact not that well known in American history.

The author prefers a global approach of this battle which was the direct result of white settlers penetrating in the Ohio-lands of the Wabash Indian tribes after the American War of Independence.

Edel clearly explains the relation between Native Americans and their white opponents from the start of white colonisation untill the present. He indicates the role of the different European nations in the New World who played a important role in the Indian-white relations during the 18th and 19th century. So one can learn in fact each nation (European and Native American as well) had their own hidden political agenda. For example during the War of Independence, both Americans and English tried to use Native Americans for their cause. Indians tried to use them to obtain better trade-goods. Some tribes tried to form alliances with Europeans to protect their homelands from invasion of other Europeans. The author gives a clear inside in this processes which indicates that international politics in that period do not differ that much from the way international politics are run nowadays.

In a vivid description he brings back to life the voices of the people who played a decisive role in this confrontation. Fortunately he retains from giving too many details and keeps this book to the point. Nevertheless he is very accurate and each statement is linked to a bibliographical note.

I enjoyed reading this book, which gave me (as a European who is not that familiar with the American history) also a better understanding of the sometimes stressed relations between the American Federation and the individual States of the Union. In my opinion this book can be used as a standard introduction to understand the complex relationship between the Native Americans and the American Federation.

Jan Everaet Winksele / Flanders BELGIUM