Most histories often look only at great powers, and histories of the colonial period in America are no exception. Spain, Britain, France, and more recently the Iroquois feature prominently, with only passing mention made to most other actors prior to the formation of the US. Stephen Warren presents a wonderfully researched, unique view into this world by focusing instead on the Shawnees, who took up migration wholeheartedly with the rise of these different powers and were constantly interfacing between these different, conflicting groups.

Warren blends archaeology, the written historical record, and modern oral history to present one of the most complete looks at a Native American tribe that I've seen. The interactions between technology, culture, climate, and politics that are mapped out and explored here are extremely insightful and leave one with a much richer view of the complex web of relationships that developed prior to 1800. If you're at all interested in this are of history I highly recommend it.