This book caught my eye in the children's library. It was older and looked much loved. I had avoided it before because I thought it was a how-to book of projects for boys that came from American Indian life. It's not! It explains how the Indians did all things. For example, one chapter is titled, "The Indian Himself" and the subheadings are "How Indian Children Went to School," and "How Indians Courted," "How Indians Made Jokes," or "How Indians Painted Their Faces," etc. No illustrations. The prose is written like an uncle telling his nephews about Indian life around the dinner table -- it's real, makes you feel like you're in communication with a person, not a text. It definitely would make a good non-fiction read-aloud. It would also make a great substitute for dry and boring American history textbooks! Written before the era of political correctness, it's accurate and appreciative, with many interesting and humorous true (so claims the author) anecdotes. My only problem with it is that the author uses too much generalization. He rarely says that Iroquois do it this way, Cherokee do it that way, etc. He simply says that Indians do it this way, and I'm sure there can't be that much similiarity among all tribes. He does point out often enough the different way of doing things when it's overwhelmingly obvious that the Plains Indians just couldn't have done that. I can't wait to read it aloud to my kids (someday...).

This book was originally printed in 1927. I recommend it as both a learning tool and for reflection about how far the Native Americans have progressed in the public eye. Arthur C. Parker was regarded as an authority on Native Americans at the time of this writing. I also recommend this book as a study in the mechanics of the English language. You will enjoy some of the spellings contained in this man's work, especially when you consider that he was of the upper class and was utilizing the most formal English of the time.

The fact that this book was reprinted fifty years after the first release and can still be found is testament to its quality, even though it stereotypes Natives and has a highly racist overtone. At the time of the first printing, this was considered a book of great advocacy for the Natives. Parker thought he was doing a great service to the Native Americans when he wrote: "The facts show that Indians can not only be civilized but are capable of promoting human welfare." So please bear in mind that this book was written 76 years ago and displays the racist mindset of the country at that time.

The information contained in this book is priceless. The instructions for doing things are accompanied by 50 illustrations and diagrams. The procedures given are much more accurate in the traditional than those given in current books. Recent technological advances have not distorted them and they were collected from peoples that actually used the techniques in daily living. So if you have ever wanted to learn how to do something in the traditional Native American manner, grab this handbook!

The book is divided into eight large sections: The How of Indian Things, The Indian Himself, Dress and Ornament, The Food Quest, Ceremonies and Mysteries, Strange Dances, War and Strategy, and Facts About Indians. You will find chapters on making hats, making trails, how the Indian came to America, how Indians tamed animals, and much more. There are tipis, canoes, fishhooks, dresses, and swimming under water.

This book contains something of interest to every person. It covers such a broad scope of topics that you are certain to find something that peaks your interest. Likely you will find yourself outside, with open book, creating something to show your friends. This book is worth its weight in gold and gets my highest recommendation. It is especially useful for persons that work with youth groups. I suggest you get a copy today. It is about time for another printing. I predict the price will be more than double the current $7...

Reprinted from Gotta Write Network Online

12 year old Mary Jemison took life on her family's farm in Philadelphia for granted. But on a Spring day in 1758, her family is taken captive by Indians and her life is never the same again. It's bad enough to be taken captive by Indians, but even worse to be separated from her family forever. This book is a Newberry Honor book, which certainly deserves the honor. Indian Captive tells about a captivity, a relationship, and a girl who finds a new family. This is a heart warming book, that will bring you closer to your family than ever.

I first read this book nearly twenty years ago. (My local library had a beat-up, old, hardcover edition.) As a child I loved stories of white children adopted by the Indians, and I must admit I still find the subject fascinating. I loved "Indian Captive" when I first read it as a child. I thought it was the best and most realistic look of what it must have been like to be a captive among the Indians. No phony heroics or daring escapes here; just the story of a girl struggling to adapt to life in a completly alien environment, while at the same time holding onto her identity. I remember how disappointed I was when that old, beat-up copy of it disappeared from the library.

"Indian Captive" was one of the books of my childhood which I never forgot. I am quite glad to see it was reprinted. It finally gave me a chance to re-read it, and it is just as good as I remember it. If readers enjoyed this book then they should take a look at "I Am Regina" by Sally M. Keehn and "Trouble's Daughter" by Katherine Kirkpatrick. Like "Indian Captive," both of these books are stories about young girls taken captive by Indians during the colonial period and both are just as well written and exciting to read as "Indian Captive." Also for older readers (12-15), I cannot speak more highly of Conrad Richter's "The Light in the Forest." It is a story of a white boy, who has spent most of his life among the Indians, forced to return to his white family who he has forgotten. Mary Jemison found happiness among the Senecas while still holding onto her identity; the main character in "The Light in the Forest" has lost all memory of his white past and finds himself caught between the the claims of blood and loyalty. A darker version of the story of the Indian captive. Enjoy.

This book is a wounerful description of an indian captive's life. It tells how Mary "Molly" Jemison grew to understand and love the Senecas. After she was kidnaped and her family killed Molly became "The White Woman of the Genesee". I am one-eaighth Cherokee and I found this book spine-tingling, suspenseful, and a real page turner. I couldn't stand to put it down. If I could have I would have read it all in one sitting. I would recommend this book for ages 10 and up.

This is something of keynote work in traditional Seneca stories. The author -- Arthur C. Parker -- was a Seneca author from New York State who became a well-known ehtnologist, and contributed a great deal based on his first-hand perspective of his own People. (He was the nephew of Ely S. Parker, Seneca Sachem and Union Aide to Ulysses S Grant). The language, indicative of scholarship of the time, can be somewhat stiff and formalized, but the Stories and their relevance are critically important.

I really enjoyed the Seneca Indian tales--Parker makes them come to life and makes the reader able to "see" the story in his or her own mind. The tales are very entertaining and often help illustrate a lesson. Readers of any age will love these stories--from age 9 to 90. As the editor of a book of Delaware legends, I appreciate a well-told story, and I sincerely recommend these.