Red Earth, White Lies: Native Americans and the Myth of Scientific Fact

The scholarly and political content of Red Earth, White Lies is difficult to parse because 'so called' scientific theory has been detrimentally applied by politicians to the administration of Indian affairs through U.S. government bureaucracy. The attrocities perpetrated against many tribal groups, retold in disturbing detail by Dee Brown's book,  Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West would be enough to choke the heart with bitterness, were you or I descended from any one of the peoples so maliciously misused. But Vine DeLoria, scholar and educator that he is, draws us towards historical and scientific evidence that is both ignored and overlooked by scientific and religious ivory towers. (academicians) Though citing scientific evidence, he doesn't argue scientific method, but as a lawyer, argues that the presentation and preservation of evidence is flawed with bias.In the wisdom of the elders of his people he has the audacity to suggest that the geological record, the fossil record and the political track record have all been shamefully and deliberately, dishonestly reported.If you purchase this book, I recommend first reading the chapter on Living Fossils (It's the final chapter of the book, enigmatically titled: "At The Beginning") and then going back and studying the political fiasco and scientific (un) documentation of the B.S. (Bering Strait) migration theory. It'll prime your instincts to appreciate DeLoria's tone of sarcasm as he discusses the political science of inter-tribal relations with the government agencies. You should also sense that this sarcasm is supplanting an otherwise very justifiable anger. Even when academicians make a great and useful discovery, it vanishes under the radar where it won't be likely to threaten the well established hierarchical mythology. And there have been congressional representatives past and present, who discussed the interests of American Indians in their districts as though they all should be invited to "go back to China."Our relationship to our fellow creatures of the world around us is fundamentally different, as told by the traditions of the Elders. And it's some ways amusing to see DeLoria bemoan the lack of cooperation between diverse tribes when engaged in government negotiations. Some of these tribes will not forget their displacement by the Sioux, who were invading from the north. This is a good read to self-critique your own world view, and the manner in which it affects your treatment of others. Foremost, DeLoria challenges the assumption that we are all immigrants to this land.

I have not yet begun reading this novel; however, it arrive in day early and was in stellar condition.

Deloria makes clear that the American scientist has ignored history when reconstructing the history of the northern American continent. We should listen to the tribes and nation's who have inhabited this world since the Ice Age and know the history. As an amateur historian , this book has been so helpful for me to relate to the evil and disdain that Anglo-German America has treated the Dakotas, Crow, Cherokee, and the multiple other nations. And as a Christian, though I disagree with and see misunderstanding that Deloria has on the Bible, which I hold as true, I find that a lot of the story in between the Noahic Flood and Columbus is already known and written in the hearts of the product who were there the whole time.

I haven't even gotten past the first few chapters, but so far, I love the topics discussed and how Vine cuts right to the heart of matters. He's writing from a place of anger that's been passed down for generations due to the plight of the American Indians, but that doesn't matter once a person gets to the point where he's poking all kinds of holes in evolution theory and the scientific community's prominent theories about American Indians origins. I've always been impressed when someone notices all of the holes in the major theories and isn't afraid to go up against scientists with those holes and try to force them to address them. I expect more great things later in the book, as well, but I haven't gotten there yet. Very interesting read so far.

Dr. Deloria writes an interesting book dispelling the "Asian Land Bridge" Theory, showing it to be very bad science. He also shows the arrogant attitude of the scientific community and how they are unwilling to change their basic theories, no matter how many times they are shown they are wrong. He also attacks the idea that Native American legends are necessarily wrong.

This book is another good review of original American concepts & realities presented in the Indigenous framework, and also compliments & confronts non-Indigenous and Academic/Scientific presumptions of the Native North & South American' realms of original peoples. Another excellent writing from Vine Deloria Jr.

The ordering process went very well, and my book arrived as scheduled. I had almost a complete collection of Vine Deloria books. However I loaned them to a history teacher, and she never returned. I am happy with this purchase. The ordering was great, and my book arrived in a timely fashion. I now know I can complete my collect, again, however they won't be signed.

Well written and a balance to and correction on the view of history we often get from European Americans.

Great book

all good

This book was fairly well written, but a lot of personal opinion was put in, which is fine, but for this topic, more scientific fact would be good. There were some fine points made about the invalidity of carbon dating, very useful.