Tecumseh and the Quest for Indian Leadership (Library of American Biography Series)

by R. David Edmunds

Book Overview

In this biography, David Edmunds examines the life of legendary Shawnee leader Tecumesh and his pivotal role in defending the Native American way of life.

Since his death as an avowed warrior at the Battle of the Thames in 1813, the details of Tecumseh's life have passed into the realm of legend, myth and drama. In this new edition, David Edmunds considers the man who acted as a diplomat - a charismatic strategist who attempted...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0321043715
• ISBN13: 9780321043719
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Pearson
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Good Overview

I thought this book provided a good overview of Tecumseh's life and mission. This is a brief biography to be sure, but it is a good introduction to Tecumseh. Those looking for a detailed biography need to look elsewhere.

Very informative

Very informative and interesting read, giving insight on Tecumseh and his Prophet brother which I had never been introduced to. I wouldn't say this is the most exciting non-fiction to read, but it's a pretty good book that gives on insight on Native American life and one of their long lasting leaders. This book dispels the myths and half-truths regarding Tecumseh, giving you the real deal.

A good book for the novice historian

I read this book for a college Ohio History class. I hadn't had any previous knowledge about Tecumseh other than he was an Indian leader. Overall it was a very interesting book. Some may run into some problems if they do not fully understand the history of the War of 1812 in Ohio. Some of the battle descriptions go into detail. There is a chapter in the book that describes some of the Shawnee cultures and customs that I found very interesting.All said, this is a very good biography of a very respected Indian leader.

Solid introduction

This book is a textbook companion of the author's biography of Tecumseh's brother, Tenskwatawa or the Prophet. R. David Edmunds is known for both his combination of ethnographic material, oral tradition, and traditional historical research with good storytelling. His unique contribution is highlighting the importance of the religious message of revitalization to Indian resistance in the Old Northwest. This book is a good introduction to Indian experiences in the Old Northwest during the Revolutionary and Early Republic Periods. Those really interested in this title may want to continue their reading with "The Shawnee Prophet" by the same author, "A Spirited Resistance" by Gregory Dowd, and "The Middle Ground" by Richard White.

A good book on Tecumseh

This book is a good overall view of the life of Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief. Also mentioned are his brother, the Prophet, and important historical events of the time. A good resource for those interested in the subject, a little dry for an everyday read.