The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America Paperback – January 2, 2018

Ahh this book is incredibly informative. I wish every person in America had access to it so we could become more educated as a society on what our history entails.

I have several books on the subject of the European colonization of the North American continent and the brutal occupation and "ethnic cleansing" employed in the process. I am not Native American being totally of northern European descent. I have studied the many cultures of the many "First People" Nations and have many friends and acquaintances among them. My library of books on this subject include the "history" of this process from both points of view. I also have many novels by Native American writers as well as those of my own ethnic origin. I was initially surprised by the humor and lack of much ill will present in the works of fiction and of historical accounts in the writings and movies by Native American writers, but still presenting the story in a clear eyed view from their point of view. The European writers through the ages tend to either justify or distort this history or, more recently, bemoan the the injustice to the point of magnifying the degree almost to distortion in the other direction. I have several of Thomas King's books including novels as well as historical accounts, and all of his writings have me laughing through tears. I can only say again that this is the best on the subject ever.

It did provide a few useful insights, some other more academic texts to research, and some history. But it doesn’t deserve to be in a college anthropology or history course. More like something from a leftist book club. Buy it used and cheap.

Written in a light humorous way that is also deep, sad & painful…. Read to find out why. Indigenous Americans should be first in line if reparations are made!

I found this book listed on a college must read list, so I looked it up on Amazon, read the opening and was immediately hooked. I liked Thomas King’s sense of humor and writing style. This is one of the best written books I have ever read, especially where History is concerned. Thomas King is a brilliant writer who draws the reader in with historical facts, funny anecdotes, and his own personal experiences with being a Native American. The humor was inserted at just the right moments to help ease the tension arising amidst the tumultuous events that happened in North America for the last four hundred years. I was thoroughly disappointed when I read the last word of the book, because it was over. I want more! My favorite line is, “Most of us think that history is the past. It’s not. History is the stories we tell about the past. That’s all it is.” (pg. 3)This book isn’t always an easy read, but it is one that everyone should read. Thank you, Mr. King, for creating this exciting and thought-provoking book.

As a Native person (Abenaki) and lecturer, this book is a superb commentary on contemporary Native life. While there are a few historical inaccuracies (Mohawks are a part of the Iroquois-Six Nations) none of these issues contradict the outcomes or observations of the author. Chapter 3 in particular is genius. The identification and definition of Native Americans as "Dead Indians," "Real Indians," and "Legal Indians," explains so much of how we as a people are perceived by the general population. The expressions "Inconvenient Indian" and "Dead Indians" have become important parts of my lectures and discussions. This is an easy read, especially as history goes. Mr. King incorporates enough humor to allow his more biting observations to become more palatable to the non-Native reader. There are only a very few resources that capture 21st century Native life. This is one of those precious resources..

The very best book i have ever read about the tangled history between Native Americans and the English, French and other invaders on this continent! With a wry sense of humor and crisp satiric bent, Thomas King has written a thoughtful, carefully researched account of what happened (and continues to be happening) to Natives who have been trampled on for centuries. Leavened by good humor and personal experiences, King's book should be required reading in every school in Canada and the U.S., in every place of worship, and in every home. After spending my entire career studying Native American literatures, I only wish that this book had been available to me and my 100's of students in my high school and college classes! You have written a masterpiece, Dr. King!

I liked the author's style of writing,his sarcasm and cynicism. He would be an interesting professor. As a born Canadian I was saddened by the words about the residential Indian school, my childhood home of Winnipeg Manitoba.We cannot correct past history (being tried in the Us) and education degrees are still earned and respected...but for how long? It is my hope that we (white non native) can learn the lessons of perseverance and tenacity from the first peoples of North America.