Indians and Immigrants: Encounters on the Overland Trails 1840-1870, by Michael L. Tate

This book points to a curious but sad enigma: Despite thousands of mutually beneficial exchanges between whites and Indians between 1840 and 1870, the image of Plains Indians as the overland pioneers’ worst enemies prevailed in American culture. In explaining the persistence of the stereotype, Tate seeks to dispel one of the West’s oldest cultural misunderstandings. “Michael Tate replaces the image of circled wagons fending of Indian marauders—-all providing good and willing targets as the heroic pioneers pick ’em off. The more complex facts are revealed by a close look at the sources and reasonable view of Indian cultures.” – Will Bagley, author and OCTA member