📖 Overview
Jamake Highwater (1931-2001) was an American writer who published over 30 books spanning fiction, non-fiction, music, art, poetry, and history. Born Jackie Marks to Jewish-American parents in Los Angeles, he later adopted a false Cherokee identity under which he produced his most well-known works.
His children's novel "Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey" (1973) earned a Newbery Honor, while "The Primal Mind: Vision and Reality in Indian America" (1981) was adapted into a PBS documentary. These works, along with his other publications, significantly influenced public perception of Native American culture during the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1984, Highwater was exposed as an impostor by Assiniboine activist Hank Adams and journalist Jack Anderson, who revealed his true background as non-Native. Despite this revelation, his works continued to be widely read and accepted by the general public as authentic Native American literature.
Working across multiple artistic disciplines, Highwater also founded a dance company in San Francisco and wrote extensively about music and art. His career and controversies highlight ongoing discussions about cultural appropriation and authenticity in Native American literature.
👀 Reviews
Reviews suggest controversy over Highwater's authenticity and credibility. Many readers later discovered he fabricated his claimed Native American heritage and background.
Some readers appreciated his accessible writing style and found books like "The Sun, He Dies" engaging for young readers learning about indigenous perspectives. Several reviews noted his ability to create vivid imagery and emotional narratives.
Critics and readers expressed anger over cultural appropriation and misrepresentation. Multiple reviewers called his work "exploitative" and "disrespectful" to Native American communities. Academic reviews pointed out historical inaccuracies and stereotyping.
Ratings reflect this controversy:
Goodreads:
- Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings)
- The Sun, He Dies: 3.6/5 (200+ ratings)
- Ghost Horse: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings)
Amazon reviews average 3-4 stars but many recent reviews include disclaimers about the author's fraudulent claims. Several school districts removed his books from Native American studies curricula after his background was exposed.
📚 Books by Jamake Highwater
The World in 1492
A comprehensive examination of global civilizations and cultures at the time of Columbus's first voyage to the Americas.
Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey A young adult novel following a Native American boy's mythical journey across ancient America to win his bride.
The Primal Mind: Vision and Reality in Indian America An analysis of Native American worldviews and thought patterns compared to Western perspectives.
Many Smokes, Many Moons: A Chronology of American Indian History A timeline-based account of Native American history from pre-Columbian times through the 20th century.
The Sun, He Dies A historical novel depicting the fall of the Aztec Empire from an indigenous perspective.
Dance: Rituals of Experience An exploration of dance as a cultural and spiritual expression across different societies.
Song from the Earth: American Indian Painting A study of Native American visual arts traditions and their cultural significance.
Eyes of Darkness: A Novel A contemporary fiction work about a Native American man confronting his cultural identity in modern America.
Journey to the Sky: A Novel About the True Adventures of Two Men in Search of the Lost Maya Kingdom A historical novel based on early archaeological explorations of Maya ruins.
Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey A young adult novel following a Native American boy's mythical journey across ancient America to win his bride.
The Primal Mind: Vision and Reality in Indian America An analysis of Native American worldviews and thought patterns compared to Western perspectives.
Many Smokes, Many Moons: A Chronology of American Indian History A timeline-based account of Native American history from pre-Columbian times through the 20th century.
The Sun, He Dies A historical novel depicting the fall of the Aztec Empire from an indigenous perspective.
Dance: Rituals of Experience An exploration of dance as a cultural and spiritual expression across different societies.
Song from the Earth: American Indian Painting A study of Native American visual arts traditions and their cultural significance.
Eyes of Darkness: A Novel A contemporary fiction work about a Native American man confronting his cultural identity in modern America.
Journey to the Sky: A Novel About the True Adventures of Two Men in Search of the Lost Maya Kingdom A historical novel based on early archaeological explorations of Maya ruins.
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Joseph Bruchac produces children's literature and traditional stories drawing from his Abenaki heritage and extensive research into Native cultures. He has written over 120 books that blend historical events with Indigenous perspectives.
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