Encyclopedia of the Great Plains Indians - by David J Wishart (Paperback)

About the Book

"This encyclopedia consists of 123 entries and an introductory essay that have been excerpted from the Encyclopedia of the Great Plains (University of Nebraska Press, 2004), together with 23 new entries and many new photographs"--Pref.

Book Synopsis

Until the last two centuries, the human landscapes of the Great Plains were shaped solely by Native Americans, and since then the region has continued to be defined by the enduring presence of its Indigenous peoples. The Encyclopedia of the Great Plains Indians offers a sweeping overview, across time and space, of this story in 123 entries drawn from the acclaimed Encyclopedia of the Great Plains, together with 23 new entries focusing on contemporary Plains Indians, and many new photographs. Here are the peoples, places, processes, and events that have shaped lives of the Indians of the Great Plains from the beginnings of human habitation to the present-not only yesterday's wars, treaties, and traditions but also today's tribal colleges, casinos, and legal battles. In addition to entries on familiar names from the past like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, new entries on contemporary figures such as American Indian Movement spiritual leader Leonard Crow Dog and activists Russell Means and Leonard Peltier are included in the volume. Influential writer Vine Deloria Sr., Crow medicine woman Pretty Shield, Nakota blues-rock band Indigenous, and the Nebraska Indians baseball team are also among the entries in this comprehensive account. Anyone wanting to know about Plains Indians, past and present, will find this an authoritative and fascinating source. David J. Wishart is a professor of geography at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to editing the Encyclopedia of the Great Plains (Nebraska 2004), he is the author of three other books, including An Unspeakable Sadness: The Dispossession of the Nebraska Indians (Nebraska 1994).

Review Quotes

"The Encyclopedia of the Great Plains Indians represents the single best reference work on the topic. In short, Wishart has condensed a vast array of subjects within the broader context of Great Plains Indians into one highly useable book."--James E. Sherow, Great Plains Quarterly-- (6/1/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"The entries in the Encyclopedia of the Great Plains are well written and informative. . . . [They] succeed in the editor's quest to show what the Native peoples of that region have endured, what they have accomplished, and how they have remained central to life on the Great Plains. This is a quality publication that scholars and aficionados of American Indian history and cultures and Great Plains and Oklahoma histories will want to read and own."--John D. May, Chronicles of Oklahoma-- (1/15/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"This new volume's strength is as a single source that draws the various Great Plains Indians and their cultures together. . . . The general index is detailed and comprehensive; an index of contributors is included. This volume offers core information on the Native peoples of the Great Plains, covering a considerable expanse of time and subject matter."--Choice-- (9/1/2007 12:00:00 AM)

"Because of its vast collection of short entries, this is an easy read that is informative and fascinating....the University of Nebraska Press' Encyclopedia of the Great Plains Indians is a wonderful supplement to the often-sad story of America's first settlers." --Rick Galusha, Omaha City Weekly-- (4/9/2007 12:00:00 AM)

"Here are the people, places, processes, and events that have shaped lives of the Indians of the Great Plains from the beginnings of human habitation to the present....Anyone wanting to know about Plains Indians, past and present, will find this an authoritative and fascinating source."--Nebraska Magazine-- (6/19/2007 12:00:00 AM)

"The variety and range of the articles will appeal to any teacher or student of American history or American studies. . . . A valuable addition to any reference shelf." --Patricia Moore, Kliatt
-- (5/24/2007 12:00:00 AM)

"This book is a triumph of information about Plains tribes that must be on the bookshelf of everyone at all interested in their history and future. The tribes and reservations are, after all, important as 'islands of population increase in a sea of rural population decline, ' in the Great Plains."--Francis Moul, Lincoln Journal Star

About the Author

David J. Wishart is a professor of geography at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to editing the Encyclopedia of the Great Plains (Nebraska 2004), he is the author of three other books, including An Unspeakable Sadness: The Dispossession of the Nebraska Indians (Nebraska 1994).