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"Seven Myths of Native American History will provide undergraduates and general readers with a very useful introduction to Native America past and present. Jentz identifies the origins and remarkable staying power of these myths at the same time he exposes and dismantles them." —Colin G. Calloway, Dartmouth College
An update of a popular work that takes on the myths of the Spanish Conquest of the Americas, featuring a new afterword. Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest reveals how the Spanish invasions in the Americas have been conceived and presented, misrepresented and misunderstood, in the five centuries since Columbus first crossed the Atlantic. This book is a unique and provocative synthesis of ideas and themes that were for generations debated or perpetuated without question in academic and popular circles. The 2003 edition became the foundation stone of a scholarly turn since called The New Conquest History. Each of the book's seven chapters describes one myth, or one aspect of the Conquest that has been distorted or misrepresented, examines its roots, and explodes its fallacies and misconceptions. Using a wide array of primary and secondary sources, written in a scholarly but readable style, Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest explains why Columbus did not set out to prove the world was round, the conquistadors were not soldiers, the native Americans did not take them for gods, Cortés did not have a unique vision of conquest procedure, and handfuls of vastly outnumbered Spaniards did not bring down great empires with stunning rapidity. Conquest realities were more complex--and far more fascinating--than conventional histories have related, and they featured a more diverse cast of protagonists-Spanish, Native American, and African. This updated edition of a key event in the history of the Americas critically examines the book's arguments, how they have held up, and why they prompted the rise of a New Conquest History.
“In fast-paced, crystal-clear prose, these four veteran historians quash not just seven myths about the American Revolution but dozens. If you think that slavery was inevitable, that British commanders were lazy nincompoops, or that Indigenous warriors were nothing more than British pawns, you will savor the challenge of Seven Myths of the American Revolution just as much as I did.” —Woody Holton, University of South Carolina, author of Liberty Is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution (Simon & Schuster, 2021)
"Northrup's highly accessible book breaks through the most common barriers that readers encounter in studying African history. Each chapter takes on a common myth about Africa and explains both the sources of the myth and the research that debunks it. These provocative chapters will promote lively discussions among readers while deepening their understanding of African and world history. The book is strengthened by its incorporation of actors and issues representing the African diaspora and African Americans in particular." —Rebecca Shumway, College of Charleston
"Readers of this book who thought they knew a lot about the U.S. Civil War will discover that much of what they 'knew' is wrong. For readers whose previous knowledge is sketchy but whose desire to learn is strong, the separation of myth from reality is an important step toward mastering the subject. The essays will generate lively discussion and new insights." —James M. McPherson, Professor Emeritus, Princeton University
“This brief, provocative, and accessible book offers snapshots of seven pernicious myths in military history that have been perpetrated on unsuspecting students, readers, moviegoers, game players, and politicians. It promotes awareness of how myths are created by 'the spurious misuse and ignorance of history' and how misleading ideas about a military problem, as in asymmetric warfare, can lead to misguided solutions. “Both scholarly and engaging, this book is an ideal addition to military history and historical methodology courses. In fact, it could be fruitfully used in any course that teaches critical thinking skills, including courses outside the discipline of history. Military history has a broad appeal to students, and there’s something here for everyone. From the so-called 'Western Way of War' to its sister-myth, technological determinism, to the ‘academic party game’ of once-faddish ‘Military Revolutions,’ the book shows that while myths about history may be fun, myth busting is the most fun of all.” —Reina Pennington, Norwich University
Here is an intriguing exploration of the ways in which the history of the Spanish Conquest has been misread and passed down to become popular knowledge of these events. The book offers a fresh account of the activities of the best-known conquistadors and explorers, including Columbus, Cortés, and Pizarro. Using a wide array of sources, historian Matthew Restall highlights seven key myths, uncovering the source of the inaccuracies and exploding the fallacies and misconceptions behind each myth. This vividly written and authoritative book shows, for instance, that native Americans did not take the conquistadors for gods and that small numbers of vastly outnumbered Spaniards did not bring down great empires with stunning rapidity. We discover that Columbus was correctly seen in his lifetime--and for decades after--as a briefly fortunate but unexceptional participant in efforts involving many southern Europeans. It was only much later that Columbus was portrayed as a great man who fought against the ignorance of his age to discover the new world. Another popular misconception--that the Conquistadors worked alone--is shattered by the revelation that vast numbers of black and native allies joined them in a conflict that pitted native Americans against each other. This and other factors, not the supposed superiority of the Spaniards, made conquests possible. The Conquest, Restall shows, was more complex--and more fascinating--than conventional histories have portrayed it. Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest offers a richer and more nuanced account of a key event in the history of the Americas.
This is the second book of lighthearted tales in this seven-book series, under the title: “MYSTICISM IN NEWBURYPORT.” This is the personal journey of just another soul re-awakening to his divinity in this lifetime and reuniting with his true self. Peter was to have many profound spiritual experiences along the Merrimac River in Newburyport, Massachusetts. So, to honor this unique, historic seaport, he has chosen to use this title for his seven-book series on his continued journey of awakening. These personal accounts of Peter’s journey are more of an individual perspective of life, rather than any particular location. ‘Book One’ was introduced at the Miami International Book Fair as a modern-day version of the Herman Hesse classic novel called: “SIDDHARTHA.” After a profound spiritual awakening, through the grace of a Meditation Master, Peter was to personally have the experiences from long nights along the river in meditation, that the fictional character had experienced in Herman’s classic novel. These writings are really a ‘Unique School of Thought’ from Peter’s insights through Nature. As in Newburyport where the river revealed all its secrets. Now, the shifting sands of the Southern Maine coast are revealing its secrets for book two. Peter feels blessed as the treasures from Nature are so abundant in New England coast and in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. After growing up in Lynn, Mass, where Peter was involved with heavy alcohol consumption, sixties drug use, arrests, broken bones, violence, motorcycle crashes and high-speed chases. Peter realized a deep love for motorcycles and physical training during his early years. Peter was to end up in the 12-step program at nineteen years old. He entered the program over fifty-years ago in March 1970, and almost immediately had a spiritual awakening. There is a difference between a spiritual awakening and a spiritual experience. On Peter’s path he was to experience both; as did the founder of the first 12-step program. Seven years sober, Peter was in deep emotional and mental pain (experiencing despair) and from this pain (pain is the touchstone of spiritual growth), he was to have his first spiritual experience. Peter now knew deep in his heart that God was actually The Intelligence Behind Nature and also that this intelligence was in his every cell of his body, as it is the giver of all life. It was around twenty-five years sober that Peter’s older brother introduced him to a Meditation Master, who was to become his guide at these higher levels of understanding and evolvement. Peter has said: “That the more he learned about the Ancient Universal Principles, the less he felt he knew.” Peter said: “It is kind of humorous that when you actual attain something worthwhile, what goes along with it is humility, just another soul on the path; another bozo on the bus.” Best Wishes on Your Personal Journey.
This topical book shows that racism by skin color is much more embedded and prevalent in the modern world than racism by race. In the aftermath of globalization, humanity has experienced unprecedented levels of interaction. This book presents evidence to show that in the 21st century which is dependent on ever-expanding communication technologies, and new forms of visual media actually exacerbate historical mores of colorism in the lives of humanity, i.e.: African, Asian, Latinx, Native and European descent. The book discusses the historical roots and current values of idealization of light skin, skin bleaching practices, stereotypes of skin color developed through migration and cultural assimilation, and health and educational consequences of colorism.
Like ancient peoples the world over, the Cherokees of the southern Appalachian Mountains passed along their traditions and beliefs through stories, songs, dances, and religious and healing rituals. With the creation of Cherokee writing by Sequoyah, some of the traditions were also recorded in books. While evoking local geography and natural phenomena, the stories were also enhanced by powerful psychological and spiritual dynamics. This work examines seven myths that grew out of Cherokee culture, looking at how they emerged to explain archetypal issues. Each of the seven stories is told in full and is followed by a detailed history and analysis that provides its background, its associated rituals, and its psychological basis. One quickly discovers that while the myths are ancient, they are strikingly modern in their understanding of human personality development, family dynamics, community solidarity, and the reality of religion or spirituality. Grounded in the experience of this American Indian people and the land they inhabited, the myths tell universal truths. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
