The History and Culture of Iroquois Diplomacy - (Iroquois and Their Neighbors) by Francis Jennings (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The History and Culture of Iroquois Diplomacy is a comprehensive exploration of the treaty-making traditions of the Six Nations, offering a deep dive into their diplomatic strategies, alliances, and political rhetoric. Edited by Francis Jennings, this interdisciplinary guide brings together historical, cultural, and linguistic perspectives to analyze the treaties negotiated by the Iroquois with Dutch, English, French, and American representatives.

The book provides a systematic study of Iroquois treaty procedures, featuring essays from scholars on topics such as the structure of negotiations, the role of wampum in councils, and the significance of place names in treaty-making. It also includes a descriptive treaty calendar spanning 1613 to 1913, maps, and a glossary of figures of speech used in Iroquois diplomacy. By making these documents accessible to both scholars and general readers, this work stands as a landmark in the study of Iroquois history and governance.

Review Quotes

A first rate contribution to Iroquois studies.-- "Choice"

A stunning achievement which will be absolutely vital to any student of Iroquois-white relations. . . . The scholarship is impeccable.-- "Wilcomb E. Washburn, Director, Office of American Studies, Smithsonian Institution"

An essential guide.-- "Canadian Historical Review"

This Guide introduces the monumental archive of treaties and related materials that the Documentary History of the Iroquois project has recently compiled at the Newberry Library. . . . An excellent volume. . . . A fascinating introduction to the Iroquois project and a strong example of what anthropologists and historians can do with the rich material that treaty documents contain.-- "Daniel K. Richter, Ethnohistory"

This Guide makes it possible for the contemporary reader to understand more clearly the texts of the early treaties and is, in fact, a key to important aspects of our own history. . . . We now have a tool to begin the reappraisal of the historical record and to gain a fuller understanding of the impact of the Iroquois on American history. This is a work of outstanding scholarship that will make a mark on the growing corpus of Iroquois ethnohistorical studies.-- "American Indian Quarterly"

About the Author

Francis Jennings was an American historian, best known for his works on the colonial history of the United States. He is the author of several books including The Invasion of America: Indians, Colonialism and the Cant of Conquest and The Ambiguous Iroquois Empire: The Covenant Chain. Confederation of Indian Tribes with English Colonies (1984); New York: Norton.