The essays in this volume examine the lives of the American Indians who are most widely studied in secondary schools, colleges and universities and who have had the greatest impact on popular culture. Each essay begins with essential information, such as birth and death places and dates, alternative names, tribal affiliations, and significance. The volume includes a timeline of events in North American Indian history from 15,000 B.C.E. to the early 21st century and lists of individuals categorized by tribe and by birthdates. The revised edition adds 60 new essays, expanded versions of some entries and additional bibliographies. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) - (Book News)

American Indian Biographies consists of 391 alphabetically arranged essays containing biographical sketches on figures in North American Indian history, extending from the arrival of European colonists on North American shores to the early 21st century. American Indian Biographies examines the lives of those American Indians who are the most widely studied in secondary schools, colleges, and universities. Profiled here are historical, religious, social, and political leaders, warriors, and reformers, as well as contemporary activists, writers, artists, entertainers, scientists, and athletes.

Booklist Reviews

This is a revised and expanded edition of a volume published in 1999. It contains all subjects covered in the first edition plus 60 new entries as well as longer versions of selected essays, bringing the new total to 391 essays. The editors, experts with academic credentials in the field of American Indian studies, are coauthors of two other reference sets by Salem Press, American Indian History (2002) and American Indian Culture (2004). Included in the present volume are American Indians who were selected for their significance in American history and pop culture. Also included are personages with partial American Indian heritage, like performers Wayne Newton and Will Rogers.The book contains essays on religious, social, and political leaders; warriors; and reformers from the past as well as modern activists, writers, artists, entertainers, scientists, and athletes. Article length ranges from 200 to 3,000 words, with longer formats allowing for greater biographical depth and the presentation of full historical and cultural contexts.Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, well-known figures from the past, receive extensive treatment, as do some newer faces (and voices), for example, Irene Bedard, who provided both the voice and model for the title character in Disney's Pocahontas. Time coverage spans from the mid-sixteenth century to 2004 and includes essays on 50 figures still living when the book went to press. Accompanying the text are maps of 10 culture areas in Canada and the U.S and black-and-white photographs of portraits reproduced from the nation's best repositories of Native American information. A comprehensive subject index plus handy appendixes listing names by tribal affiliation, year of birth, and variant names help make this a valuable resource for middle-school libraries and media centers as well as high-school libraries and above. A great bargain and an asset in any library that supports an American history curriculum. ((Reviewed September 1, 2005)) Copyright 2005 Booklist Reviews.

Choice Reviews

The first edition of this work featured 329 biographical sketches, 297 of which had been previously published by Salem Press in either American Indians (CH, Oct'95, 33-0627); Great Lives from History. American Series (1987), ed. by F. N. Magill; or Great Lives from History. American Women Series (CH, Oct'95, 33-0648). This revised edition has grown to 391 entries, some of which were drawn from the publisher's other titles such as American Ethnic Writers (2000), ed. by David Peck and Tracy Irons-Georges. Notable in this new edition is the inclusion of entries for Tsali and Blue Jacket. In Blue Jacket's case, it is quite shocking that a Native American leader of his stature had not appeared in one of the previous works. The entries begin with ready-reference information such as birth and death dates, alternate personal names, and tribal affiliation. The signed entries that follow may include bibliographical data for more in-depth research. Appendixes offer maps and a chronology. This work will be most useful for undergraduate libraries that do not own either the first edition of this work or Salem Press's American Indians. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and undergraduates. Copyright 2005 American Library Association.