The Indian World of George Washington

The First President, the First Americans, and the Birth of the Nation

By: Colin G. Calloway

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

In this sweeping new biography, Colin Calloway uses the prism of George Washington's life to bring focus to the great Native leaders of his time - Shingas, Tanaghrisson, Bloody Fellow, Joseph Brant, Red Jacket, Little Turtle - and the tribes they represented: the Iroquois Confederacy, Lenape, Miami, Creek, Delaware; in the process, he returns them to their rightful place in the story of America's founding. The Indian World of George Washington spans decades of Native American leaders' interactions with Washington, from his early days as surveyor of Indian lands to his military career against both the French and the British to his presidency, when he dealt with Native Americans as a head of state would with a foreign power, using every means of diplomacy and persuasion to fulfill the new republic's destiny by appropriating their land. By the end of his life, Washington knew more than anyone else in America about the frontier and its significance to the future of his country.

The Indian World of George Washington offers a fresh portrait of the most-revered American and the Native Americans whose story has been only partially told. Calloway's biography invites us to look again at the history of America's beginnings and see the country in a whole new light.

©2018 Colin G. Calloway (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

If you are interested in Washington or the 18th century you WILL like this book.

This book offers a wealth of fascinating context about the late colonial and Revolutionary era—perspectives often overlooked in traditional historical works. The portrayal of all sides feels notably fair and balanced. What stands out most is how it dismantles the simplistic divisions we often impose—between peoples, ethnicities, religions, and political factions—and replaces them with a richly nuanced picture of the complex, overlapping worlds of the English, French, and Indian peoples. I repeat if you are a fan of history, the 18th century, or George Washington, you will enjoy this book.

Seeking the truth

I appreciate not biased accounts of history.
I saw how george went from a greedy individual
And incompetent commander to a heavy hearted old man trying to find a way to help the original inhabitants that he helped to displace.
Although he wanted to help them he never strayed for his desire for white people to occupy their land. It was ironic that the lands he fought so hard to obtain through deception and white& political entitlement never produced the fortunes he was so desperate for
And he died with resentment at squatters and land speculators without seeing the mirror.

Great

I learned an awful lot from this book. I suggest it to anyone interested in GW, Native Americans, early history of our country. The narrator has an interesting way of speaking but you’ll get use to it.

The missing addendum to early American history

A well-written account of indigenous relations from the early American perspective. As a standalone work, it is engaging and insightful. However, it does not stand on its own. It is likely best read as a supplement to Middlekauffs' "Glorious Cause," and Chernows' "Washington." The author masterfully contributes to the deepening of the body of historical understanding, by adding the richness of a broadened view to include contemporary perspectives of native peoples. Though, on occasion, the author runs afoul of their own criticism by dictating the sentiments of indians with a very colonial/early empire American lens. That being said, the enrichment of historical narratives and the inclusion of indigenous perspectives is long overdue and should be applauded.

A wonderful historical masterpiece

This book enlightened my understanding of why and how our country became the great nation it has become!