Ned Blackhawk’s book, “The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History”, is not just another history of the clash between European colonizers and Native peoples. It is a book of relationship, how over time, this country has gained much of its current and evolving form, from the extended conflict between us and native peoples, from their refusal to acquiesce, who have instead demanded that this country recognize native sovereignty and honor the treaties made between us, treaties which, along with our Constitution, are the ‘supreme law of the land’. Some of the most momentous changes to this country, its policies, laws and court decisions, resulted from these ongoing conflicts and this country’s attempts to resolve them. I was unaware of this book, and Blackhawk, until I read a review he wrote of Hamalainen’s, “Indigenous Continent” which I’d just finished. Continue reading →