King Philip's War: Colonial Expansion, Native Resistance, and the End of Indian Sovereignty (Witness to History)

Long recognizing that my knowledge of Colonial History was, well, let's say, a bit sketchy for the period before the early 1700's, I was casting about for a book on early conflicts and happened upon this little gem.Eschewing biography for brevity, Author Mandell does an absolutely first-rate job of describing what is arguably the least known and understood conflict in our country's early History. The lack of character development in no way detracts from his story-telling. He presents an entirely understandable explanation of the complex social and political relationships between and among the various tribes of the region and explains in some detail that it was the very tenuous nature of these connections which from the first put them at a disadvantage when dealing with the English encroachers. Add to that inherent weakness a total lack of knowledge or skill in negotiating land sales and use agreements and you have (as in virtually all native dealings with whites) the certain formula for disillusionment, occasional revolt and inevitable subjugation.All that being said, the English settlers were essentially unprepared when the Wampanoag chief Metacom (called `King Philip' by the English) launched his rebellion. But unprepared didn't mean unable to rally and thoroughly thrash the insurgents, thus ending the native hegemony in New England and making the way for unbridled immigration, leaving the natives with bitter memories and, to the extent they're any consolation, gambling casinos.Part of the Johns Hopkins University Press `Witness to History' series, `King Philip's War' is emblematic of the publisher's plan to make available thoroughgoing but concise accounts of selected American History topics. The subject work will encourage at least this `buff' to seek out other volumes as they become available.

Though short, this book has a LOT of background a details that are very interesting and make it a great reading. The maps are excellent and the extremely detailed Bibliography at the end is very helpful as well.He also does small things that make him more fair and less bias. An example is in mentioning how the Puritans sometimes tricked the Indians to get land. In past books it makes it seem like all of the land was acquired in such a way, but, he states, "Many colonist also proved skilled in manipulating their own laws". While this statement may seem not that Important it is worlds above Schultz's book which says "The English were adamant,at least in form, of taking lands legally, but authors like Fancis Jennings state ways the colonists could get land from an unwilling Indian" (quote might not be exactly correct. The Second makes it seem like all English backed taking land illegally, while the Mandell's makes it clear that the English HAD laws against gaining lands by illegal means. Mandell does not leave details like this out which would otherwise make the English appear to be worse than they were.This is a near prefect book on the conflict especially for its size. It doesn't make the Puritans saint (like Vaughan sometimes did) or call them Imperialists (as Jennings did), but takes the facts and states what they tell us about Puritan -Indian relations and the War itself.

I wanted to know more about my English ancestor who participated in both the colonial wars and the Salem witch trials

I love learning about our history, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have been doing some research in the Seven Years war and this has lead to do some research in Colonial relationships with the Native Tribes. I purchased Kings Philips War since this was one of the early bloody conflicts. I have skimmed it and I am looking forward to reading it. It arrived in a timely manner with no delivery issues

Straightforward summary of the war. It does make mention of earlier Pequot War. It follows the initiation and gradual expansion of the war. Does make clear that it is not just an Indian vs settler war. There were tribes - especially Christian tribes - which fought with the English. Good introduction to this war.

This book is an authoritative and yet interesting treatment of the major conflict in 17th century America. The decades-long build up to King Philip's war, its prosecution, and the aftermath are a sad story.

A good book an an important subject of American History.