The Middle Ground: Indians, Empires, and Republics in the Great Lakes Region, 1650–1815 (Studies in North American Indian History)

This book is both a startling group of cultural assertions based on a wealth of information and a horrible story of North American Indigenous history. The central theme is what the author calls the middle ground, the formation of inter-tribal agreements based on a misunderstanding of culture. Sometimes these agreements were only possible because of the middle ground. If you are interested in history and sociology then this book is a valuable addition. On the other hand, the tale of the horrors the indigenous people experienced due to the inter-tribal wars and conflicts is heart rending. The horrors motivated the agreements and migration of the Great Lake's tribes. These explains much of the history of the United States and Canada that followed. I recommend the book highly if you can bear to know what happened.

The Middle Ground is one of the seminal texts on colonial history covering the converging areas that Europeans (British, French and eventually Americans) and Native Americans (Algonquins, Iroquois, Shanwees, and many more) shared in and around the great lakes region for the years 1650-1815. Before the term middle ground was taken out of context by a slew of authors following Richard White you see the narrow definition that was meant to exist. By finding an area where these cultures did not dominate but share to give something new in his so called Pays d'en haut. By focusing on the complex relationships that built up between these groups and not simply stopping at resistance and assimilation White puts into context Pontiac and Tecumseh through a look at the ebbing and flowing of political and economic power in the area. From the power plays between Europeans and the ways in which native Americans exploited them to win trade concessions and expand their goods. Europeans also exploited the differences not only in tribes but even in the familial relationships and this book does an excellent job of delving into the structure of Indian society dispelling the myth of the great Indian chief. The chiefs that many people envision are a European creation that did arise after Europeans were able to funnel goods through one person and often the one Europeans wound up fighting was a chief of their own creation. While this book can by dry and dense at times it really is the best on the subject and not one to be missed for those interested in colonial history.

Brilliant and compassionate synthesis of scholarly data on white and Indian relationships and their devolution from northern Appalachia through the upper Midwest

Outstanding. A privilege to read. White provides a clear a and subtle understanding of the merging and unmerging of peoples. It may take another two centuries for America to come to terms with its past.

The book is incredible, Richard White is amazing. I am just disappointed that about a third of the pages are loose and falling out.

good read, can be dense, package as advertised

Great textbook

a very good book!

Not just a study of the history of events but an examination of the deeper reasons that motivated people and groups to act as they did. He references innumerable first-hand accounts. It offers a remarkable insight into understanding indigenous cultural values. I would also like to add that I think he largely exonerates John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, who has been much maligned for his revision of the Haldimand Grant. Simcoe worked tirelessly to create a pan-Indian-British military alliance during the Northwest Indian War. Had his efforts not been countermanded by direct orders from the British government in London the outcome of the war would have been quite different. As a consequence, the Western Confederacy was defeated at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, thereby opening up Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin to American settlement.

Would recommend to anyone studying Indigenous history in North America.