David Stannard

David Stannard is an American historian and professor emeritus at the University of Hawaii, best known for his work on indigenous populations and his influential book "American Holocaust: The Conquest of the New World" (1992). Through his research and publications, Stannard has focused extensively on examining the impact of European colonization on Native American populations. His work challenges traditional historical narratives and provides detailed analysis of the demographic collapse of indigenous peoples following European contact. Stannard's scholarship has contributed significantly to academic debates surrounding the use of the term "genocide" in describing European colonial expansion. His research methodology combines historical documentation with demographic analysis to examine patterns of disease, warfare, and systematic destruction of indigenous communities. Beyond his work on Native American history, Stannard has written about death and dying in Western culture, including "The Puritan Way of Death: A Study in Religion, Culture, and Social Change" (1977). He has served as a professor of American Studies at the University of Hawaii since 1972.

Readers consistently note Stannard's thorough research and extensive use of primary sources in "American Holocaust," though some find his writing style dense and academic. Many readers appreciate his direct confrontation of colonial violence and demographic data, with one Amazon reviewer noting "he makes his case methodically with clear evidence." Readers value: - Detailed documentation of historical events - Clear presentation of population statistics - Strong argumentation backed by sources Common criticisms: - Academic tone can be difficult to follow - Some readers feel the genocide comparison is overstated - Limited coverage of certain regions/time periods Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.7/5 (280+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,000+ ratings) Multiple readers mention the book changed their perspective on American history, though some note emotional difficulty with the content. A frequent comment is that the book should be required reading in universities, despite its challenging nature.

American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World (1992) A detailed examination of the decimation of indigenous peoples in the Americas following European contact, analyzing the role of disease, violence, and colonial policies in population collapse.

The Puritan Way of Death: A Study in Religion, Culture, and Social Change (1977) An analysis of how Puritan attitudes toward death evolved in New England from the 17th to 19th centuries, exploring changing religious beliefs and social practices.

Death in America (1975) A historical investigation of American attitudes toward death and dying from colonial times through the modern era.

Shrinking History: On Freud and the Failure of Psychohistory (1980) A critique of psychohistory as a method for historical analysis, focusing on its methodological limitations and theoretical assumptions.

Before the Horror: The Population of Hawaii on the Eve of Western Contact (1989) A demographic study of Hawaii's indigenous population prior to European arrival, examining evidence for pre-contact population estimates.

Howard Zinn His work "A People's History of the United States" examines American history from the perspective of the oppressed and marginalized. His focus on social movements and indigenous perspectives aligns with Stannard's critical examination of colonial impacts.

Ward Churchill His research concentrates on genocide studies and Native American issues, particularly in "A Little Matter of Genocide." Churchill's analysis of colonial policies and their effects on indigenous populations parallels Stannard's demographic research.

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz Her book "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" provides a comprehensive examination of Native American history from pre-colonial times through present day. Her methodology combines historical documentation with indigenous perspectives to challenge conventional narratives.

Dee Brown His work "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" documents the systematic destruction of Native American tribes in the American West. Brown's use of primary sources and focus on demographic decline mirrors Stannard's research approach.

James Axtell His studies of cultural contact between Europeans and Native Americans examine the complexities of colonial encounters. Axtell's work in "The European and the Indian" provides detailed analysis of demographic and cultural changes during the colonial period.