Richard Drinnon

Richard Drinnon (1925-2012) was an American historian and professor who specialized in analyzing the relationship between racism, imperialism, and American frontier mythology. His most influential work, "Facing West: The Metaphysics of Indian-Hating and Empire Building" (1980), examined how anti-Indian sentiment shaped American expansion and foreign policy. During his academic career at the University of California, Berkeley and later at Bucknell University, Drinnon focused on radical American history and the intersection of racism with state power. His 1961 book "Rebel in Paradise: A Biography of Emma Goldman" became a definitive biography of the anarchist leader and established him as a significant voice in American historical scholarship. Drinnon's work challenged conventional narratives about American expansion and democracy, arguing that Indian-hating served as a template for later forms of racism and imperialism in U.S. foreign policy. His analysis connected the treatment of Native Americans to later U.S. military interventions in places like the Philippines and Vietnam. Beyond his scholarly work, Drinnon was known for his opposition to the Vietnam War and his support of various social justice movements. His final major work, "Keeper of Concentration Camps: Dillon S. Myer and American Racism" (1987), examined the connections between the treatment of Native Americans and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Readers consistently note Richard Drinnon's depth of research and archival work in his historical analysis. Many reviewers on Goodreads praise his "Facing West: The Metaphysics of Indian-Hating and Empire Building" for documenting connections between Indian removal policies and later American imperialism. Readers appreciate: - Detailed primary source documentation - Connections drawn between historical events - Clear writing style on complex topics Common criticisms: - Dense academic prose that can be difficult to follow - Some repetition in arguments - Limited coverage of indigenous perspectives On Goodreads, "Facing West" has a 4.14/5 rating from 162 ratings. "Keeper of Concentration Camps" holds a 4.0/5 from 28 ratings. Amazon reviews are limited but average 4.5/5 stars. One reader noted: "Drinnon meticulously traces historical patterns but the academic tone makes it slow going at times." Another wrote: "Essential but exhausting reading - stick with it for the insights."

Rebel in Paradise: A Biography of Emma Goldman (1961) A comprehensive biography examining anarchist leader Emma Goldman's life, activism, and impact on American radical movements.

Facing West: The Metaphysics of Indian-Hating and Empire Building (1980) A historical analysis tracing how anti-Native American sentiment shaped American expansion and foreign policy from colonial times through the Vietnam War.

Keeper of Concentration Camps: Dillon S. Myer and American Racism (1987) An examination of bureaucrat Dillon S. Myer's role in both Native American policies and Japanese American internment during World War II.

White Savage: The Case of John Dunn Hunter (1972) A biographical study of John Dunn Hunter, exploring early American frontier relations and white-Native American cultural interactions.

Facing West: The Metaphysics of Indian-Hating and Empire-Building (1990) An expanded edition of the 1980 work, including additional analysis of American imperialism and its connections to racial ideology.

Howard Zinn authored "A People's History of the United States" and focused on similar themes of American imperialism and racism from marginalized perspectives. His work examines power structures and challenges traditional patriotic narratives, much like Drinnon's approach.

Dee Brown wrote "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," documenting the systematic destruction of Native American tribes in the American West. His research methods and focus on Indian-white relations parallel Drinnon's work on frontier mythology and Indian-hating.

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz produced "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States," analyzing how settler colonialism shaped American institutions. Her examination of structural violence against Native Americans builds on Drinnon's insights about the connections between domestic and foreign policy.

William Appleman Williams wrote "The Tragedy of American Diplomacy," exploring how American expansion and imperialism shaped foreign policy. His analysis of frontier ideology as a driver of American empire aligns with Drinnon's work on the metaphysics of empire-building.

Paul Fussell authored "The Great War and Modern Memory," examining how warfare shapes cultural consciousness and national mythology. His analysis of how violence becomes normalized in national culture connects to Drinnon's work on institutionalized racism and militarism.