Book Notices

The Great Father: The United States Government and the American Indians.

By FRANCIS PAUL PRUCHA Vols I andII combined and unabridged (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1984, 1995 xxxii + 1302 pp Paper, $50.00.)

This classic study of U.S government and American Indian relations is the most comprehensive and evenhanded account found under one cover Prucha's synthesis of a vast topic is detailed enough to illustrate his thesis that federal policy is rooted in a paternalistic view, characterizing—from past to present—the role of government with Native Americans.

Starting with an introductory prologue on thecolonial era,thefirstvolume traces theevolution of legislation that accompanied the settlement of America to the 1890s Thesecond volume examines the shifting policies— some beneficent, others destructive— that typify the last one hundred years During both centuries policy has reflected shifting national moods, ranging from abhorrence to admiration. The author's study says asmuch about white American values as it does NativeAmerican history.

The Great Father is necessary reading for any scholar interested in government/Indian relations, the development offederal policy, oran introduction to historical controversies surrounding particular tribes. Thebibliographic essay and extensive index are convenient research tools.

Custer's Last Stand: The Anatomy of an American Myth.

By BRIAN W DIPPIE (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1976, 1994. xxvi + 214 pp. Paper, $8.95.)

Few historical figures in theAmerican West have had so much publicity as Gen George Custer With the public's help he has become more myth than man, and, as Dippie shows, the flexibility inherent in this portrayalreflects agreat deal about the culture in which it is rooted and flourishes Poets, artists, novelists, and actors have all contributed to the continuance of this growing legend, making Custer a man-for-all-reasons Well-argued, nicely written, the book is appropriate for academics and the general reading populace.

"Ghost Dance Winter" and Other Tales of the Frontier.

By SALLY ZANJANI (Reno: Nevada Historical Society, 1994 xiv+ 185 pp Paper, $14.95.)

This delightful potpourri of stories ranges from Paiute revenge to photographing mirages, from mining camps to lynch mobs, and from spiritualists to prostitution. The time period for most of the events is around the turn of the twentieth-century in Nevada. The text iswell-written, illustrated with black-and-white photos, and isenjoyable armchair reading.