Chronicles of Oklahoma
Volume 2, No. 1
March, 1924
BOOK REVIEWS
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85
"The Cheyenne Indians—Their History and Ways of Life" is the title of a work recently issued by the Yale University Press
in two large octavo volumes and of which George Bird Grinnell is the author. The work is well illustrated. It is one of the
most exhaustive and thorough treatises upon the life, customs, culture, religious beliefs, rites and ceremonies of a single
tribe of American Indians yet presented by any writer. Along with the same author’s previously issued volume entitled "The
Fighting Cheyennes," it presents, with remarkable fidelity and precision, the results of more or less frequent contact with
both Northern and Southern Cheyenne tribes during a period of nearly half a century, including many months expended in careful
investigation. Its 652 pages are packed with information, from beginning to end, and, since most of it pertains to a tribe
which has had a prominent place in the history of Oklahoma, and several other western states, it is of very real interest
to the student of the history of this region. Its list price is $10.00.—J. B. T.
The humanitarian work of civilization today is the social betterment of all people through schooling and through the proper
guidance of their natural character. The Government gives its hearty approval of such effort among its wards, the 340,000
Indians of the country, a great many of whom live on 161 reservations scattered through the different states. A recent survey
of this field of work has just been completed by the Committee on Social and Religious Surveys that is responsible for the
publication of "The Red Man in the United States," by the George H. Doran Company, New York. This book was compiled and written
under the supervision of G. E. E. Lindquist as Director, who was "released for the work by the courtesy of the International
Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association." It is a very complete survey of the Indian, who at this time is "adjusting
himself to modern social and economic conditions."
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Not only does the book point out specific fields for humanitarian work, but it should also be of interest to those who seek
general information on the life and many of the customs of the Indians since they first welcomed the European to the western
world. However, the greatest value of the book is, that within its covers it presents to the public a true knowledge of the
Indian today. Heretofore, this knowledge was only to be found by reading numerous government reports or by talking to the
comparative few who really knew actual conditions. Because of this lack of accessibility information, generally, a great many
untruths have been published in regard to the Indians by the writers for the press in this country. "The Red Man in the United
States" will help to correct these misrepresentations of the Indian’s character, as written up by yellow journalism.—Muriel
H. Wright.
"History of Our Country," written by Reuben Post Halleck and published by the American Book Company, is a recently issued
text-book designed for use in the higher grades of the public schools. It is a neat volume of 588 pages. The first chapter
deals with the European background of the discovery, exploration and settlement of America. The development of the institutional
life, culture and customs of the people is very clearly traced and the book is copiously illustrated with pertinent etchings
and other engravings. The region west of the Mississippi receives proportionally more attention and space than has been allotted
to it in most other school textbooks on United States History. The element of human interest is sustained throughout. Taken
as a whole, the work is well balanced, teachable and should prove attractive to the average pupil in the grades for which
it has been prepared.—J. B. T.
The parts played by the American Indians and their mixed-blood descendants in more recent American history seems to have supplied
a motif for a booklet entitled "Tahlonika," written by Mrs. Susan Verdery, of Atlanta, Georgia, and recently issued from the
press of Foote & Davis, of the same city. The story which is more or less disconnected, has to do with the Cherokees of the
valley of the Oostenaula, in northern Georgia, and of Tahlequah, in Oklahoma. It is cleverly written, deals with the romances
of three generations, is strong in sentiment and touch-
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ing in its pathos, though somewhat weakened by the element of anachronism. It is especially interesting as an indication of
a growing sense of appreciation of the Cherokee people by the present occupants of the country from whence the Cherokees were
expelled and exiled, eighty-five years ago.—J. B. T.
"Pageantry for Iowa Communities" is the title of a 48 page bulletin just issued by the Iowa Historical Society. The text was
prepared by George O. Hurley. In a brief and succinct way, the subject of the form and content, the organization and the production
of the pageant are treated in words that are readily comprehensible even by the lay reader. In view of the growing interest
in community pageantry such a publication is timely and should prove helpful. A useful bibliography on the subject of pageantry,
pageant texts, costumes, etc. is appended to the text of the bulletin.
Oklahoma people will recall the protest which arose at the publication of an illnatured screed against this state and its
people in The Nation, a weekly magazine issued in New York City, as one installment of a series of articles which were collectively
entitled "These United States." This series has now been issued in book form but Oklahoma has no place in it, which is far
more satisfactory to her people than wilful misrepresentation would have been.
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