Allan Greer

Allan Greer is a Canadian historian and professor emeritus at McGill University, specializing in colonial North American history with a focus on New France and comparative colonial studies. His research and publications have significantly shaped the understanding of early Canadian history, indigenous-colonial relations, and property formation in North America. Greer's influential work "The People of New France" (1997) provides a social history of French colonial society in North America and has become a standard text in Canadian history courses. His book "Mohawk Saint: Catherine Tekakwitha and the Jesuits" (2005) explores the complex intersection of Native American and European Catholic cultures in colonial North America. More recently, Greer's "Property and Dispossession: Natives, Empires and Land in Early Modern North America" (2018) examines how different European colonial powers implemented their concepts of property in North America and how this affected indigenous peoples. His work has earned multiple awards, including the Prix Lionel-Groulx and the J.B. Tyrrell Historical Medal from the Royal Society of Canada. The historian's research methodology is known for combining detailed archival work with broader comparative perspectives across different colonial regions and empires. Throughout his career, Greer has contributed extensively to academic journals and edited volumes, helping to reshape scholarly understanding of colonial encounters in North America.

Readers respect Greer's academic research abilities but some find his writing style dry and overly academic. His book "Property and Dispossession" receives positive feedback for its detailed analysis of colonial land practices, though multiple reviewers note it can be dense and challenging for non-specialist readers. Readers appreciated: - Thorough primary source research - Focus on previously overlooked historical perspectives - Clear breakdown of complex property systems - Balanced treatment of indigenous and European viewpoints Common criticisms: - Academic prose can be difficult to follow - Limited narrative flow - Heavy reliance on specialized terminology - Some sections feel repetitive Online ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) "The People of New France": 3.9/5 (29 ratings) "Mohawk Saint": 4.1/5 (18 ratings) Amazon: Average 4/5 across titles Multiple academic reviewers cite Greer's work in scholarly contexts, but general readers seeking accessible historical narratives express frustration with the technical writing style.

The People of New France (1997) A social history examining the daily lives, demographics, and social structures of French colonists in North America during the colonial period.

Mohawk Saint: Catherine Tekakwitha and the Jesuits (2005) A historical analysis of the life of Catherine Tekakwitha and the cultural interactions between Native Americans and Jesuit missionaries in 17th-century North America.

Property and Dispossession: Natives, Empires and Land in Early Modern North America (2018) An examination of how European colonial powers implemented property systems in North America and their impact on indigenous peoples' land rights.

Peasant, Lord, and Merchant: Rural Society in Three Quebec Parishes 1740-1840 (1985) A detailed study of rural society and economic relationships in colonial Quebec across three parishes over a century of change.

The Jesuit Relations: Natives and Missionaries in Seventeenth-Century North America (2000) An analysis of the documented interactions between Jesuit missionaries and indigenous peoples in colonial North America.

Richard White analyzes Native American and settler relations in the Great Lakes region through environmental and cultural lenses. His work "The Middle Ground" examines power dynamics and cultural exchange between indigenous peoples and Europeans.

Karen Ordahl Kupperman explores early colonial encounters in North America with emphasis on cultural interactions and settlement patterns. Her research on the Jamestown colony and indigenous-European relations provides comparative insights to Greer's work on New France.

Daniel K. Richter examines Native American history and colonial encounters from indigenous perspectives. His book "Facing East from Indian Country" reframes colonial American history by centering Native American experiences and viewpoints.

Brett Rushforth studies slavery and indigenous peoples in New France and the Atlantic world. His work on Native American slavery and cross-cultural relations in French colonies complements Greer's research on colonial social structures.

Kathleen DuVal focuses on early American borderlands and Native American power in colonial encounters. Her research on the Arkansas River Valley and Gulf Coast provides analysis of indigenous-European relations in areas beyond New France.