I'm from the southwest and born in 95. Closest thing to a western I've seen was Django unchained but I want to get into the culture and history of the southwest and I was wondering if there was any good comprehensive history books about native American warriors and cultures. I'm a marine I'm not looking for anything too technical and I'm a little turned off by extensive themes of white guilt. Although I understand that it is defiantly going to be a part of history I'm not looking to feel angry at the white man I just want to learn some more about different cultures. Thanks.
I teach history in West Texas, so some academics might have some better suggestions, but here's what I've read at least;
1491 Charles Mann I'd start here, it's not about soley the southwest, if you want, you can read just the ones talking about the southwest, but, it gives a pretty good accessible introduction to all of the American cultures, and what they looked like before European contact.
Empire of the Summer Moon S. C. Gwynne Probably the most accessible book here, since it's written by a journalist (a damn fine one I might add) but it's about the Comanche, I'd argue the most militant and imperialistic tribe since the settlement of the Americas. Comanche covered this region, mainly the Texas Panhandle. Which is kinda that border of the southwest and great plains.
Comanche Empire Pekka Hamalainen Complements Empire of the Summer Moon really well, a little bit dryer, but it's mostly focused on proving that the Comanche were an empire in the same sense the Europeans were. So there's a lot more detail on the fighting side of things
Diné: A History of the Navajos Read this back in college, it's a pure textbook, but it's still a pretty intreasting book about the culture of the Navajo. This though is probably the best focus on culture and art here (Aside from the myths collection)
Ancient Peoples of the American Southwest Stephen Plog
I haven't read this one, but It's on my wish list, so if you're intreasted, I'd say look into it. Seems to be focused on the far ancient southwest like the Anasazi and such.
American Indian Myths and Legends Richard Erdoes Not a history exactly, its native american myths from throughout. Lots focusing on the Southwest (maily because there's more southwest Native Americans to tell the tale.
white guilt
I don't really wanna touch that topic and start an argument. But I don't fully know what you mean by that. I wouldn't say that anything in here is heavy on white guilt, but your millage may vary. Also, I apologize for any mistakes I'm making, or if I don't seem clear, typing is difficult for me in my current drunken state.
Are you looking for any group or period in particular? Apache warfare is particularly well known, there being a lot of works on the subject. Thrapp's The Conquest of Apacheria is the most comprehensive work out there, although Sweeney's Mangas Coloradas and From Cochise to Geronimo are a lot more readable in my opinion.
If you perhaps want something closer to a broad overview of the southwest as a region, then Lekson's A History of the Ancient Southwest is perhaps the best work that we're going to see for a very long time. Lekson is one of the big names in the area and this is the first part of a comprehensive trilogy he's attempting.
One of the other, more "interesting" works out there is Turner's Man Corn, though you should take everything in it with a handful of salt.
