The Southeastern Indians by Charles M. Hudson

The Southeastern Indians Reviews

• 
  RAD

  
  Unforgetting Amnesia
  
  I've owned this book for roughly 30 years. I'd read portions of it previously, but never cover-to-cover until now. Originally published by the University of Tennessee Press in 1975, The Southeastern Indians is academic in nature, with plenty of endnotes (unfortunately not footnotes; a forgivable offense given its publication date, which preceded modern word processing software;
  see rant here); numerous maps, photos, and illustrations; and an excellent bibliography. My copy is the 5th printing (1989).
  
  Charles Hudson
  was a professor of anthropology and history at the University of Georgia for almost 40 years. He was regarded as one of the world's leading authorities on early Native American peoples. The author claims that "this book is meant to be a comprehensive introduction to the native people of the Southeastern United States" (vii), and at 572 pages, he appears to have succeeded on his claim. Hudson loves his subject, arguing that despite the fact that the Southeastern Indians "possessed the richest culture of any of the native people north of Mexico", they are "the victims of a virtual amnesia in our historical consciousness" (1).
  
  Over eight chapters, Hudson traces the history of his subject from archaeological evidence to shortly before the time of the book's publication. The final chapter, "A Conquered People," is not written from the perspective of the dominant colonialist or invader, but rather from a point of view that is sympathetic to the plight that has befallen the indigenous tribes. I have benefitted greatly from finally reading this book in its entirety, and due to my newfound respect of its author, I am looking forward to reading his
  Knights of Spain, Warriors of the Sun: Hernando de Soto and the South's Ancient Chiefdoms".
• 
  Walter Knapp

  An excellent introduction to Southeastern Native American History and culture.
• 
  Brian Ross

  This was required reading for Dr. Hudson's 400 level course of the same title. This opened my eyes to the history of the Native Americans of the Southeast (and throughout the continents). Dr. Hudson was a tough but fair professor. Though the book isn't a tough read, as an anthropology student the details of that book seemed quite daunting. From understanding the use of fire lighters to the game Pelota, this book details the daily lives of the Southeastern Indians. Very much worth the read.
• 
  Suzq

  Very informative and interesting.
• 
  Lee White

  Good overview
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  Butch Larkin

  old friend
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  Talmadge Walker

  Great as a study of the native inhabitants of the Southeastern US, especially prior to the 1750s. Speeds through the post-Revolution & Removal eras though.
• 
  James

  Great introduction to the Southeastern cultures. It was my college textbook and helped to develop my fascination with the ancient Southeastern native people
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  Jared Cook

  An excellent book. Read it, you'll be embarrassed if you're an American and you weren't already embarrassed to be from this embarrassing shithole.