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Marietta College 's James O'Donnell has presented us with a thoughtful, and at times a thought-provoking, introduction to the glories and the plight of Ohio's Indians. Here we see the rich pattern of interaction with one another and with the Europeans whose ethnocentrism prevented them from understanding these cultures. This work was not written to give a detailed study of the Indians, but to provide a door through which the readers would explore these peoples and understand the challenges they faced before and after the arrival of the Europeans. The comprehensive bibliography and thorough system of endnotes (many of them discursive) provide superb avenues for additional research on this facet of Ohio 's history. The illustrations and maps are a strong feature and make it possible for the reader to understand and visualize well the topics under consideration. At times, one would want to fault the author for over-simplification such as in his discussion of the 1783 Treaty of Paris, but then one must realize the goals of the author in this work—this is only an introduction and superb one at that. By following the O'Donnell's research path in the bibliography, one can uncover the larger picture. This book addresses the general public who want to know more about the history of Ohio and would also be most useful for high school and college students who are focusing on this region in their studies.
Kent State University Stark Campus
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