Facing West: The Metaphysics of Indian-Hating and Empire Building

Facing West traces the development of Indian-hating and racism in American culture from the colonial period through the Vietnam War. The book examines how early settlers' attitudes toward Native Americans established patterns that would shape U.S. expansion and foreign policy for centuries. Through extensive historical research and primary sources, Drinnon connects the treatment of Native Americans to later U.S. military interventions in the Philippines and Vietnam. He profiles key figures including Indian fighter and president Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, and several military commanders who led campaigns against indigenous peoples. The book reveals how rhetoric and beliefs about "savage" enemies and the "civilizing" mission of white settlers carried forward through generations of American policy and warfare. This historical analysis demonstrates the deep connections between domestic racism, western expansion, and overseas imperialism in U.S. history. Facing West challenges readers to confront persistent patterns in American views of "otherness" and cultural superiority that have shaped both domestic and foreign relations. The book's examination of these recurring mindsets and behaviors raises fundamental questions about American identity and values that remain relevant today.

Readers describe this as a detailed examination of American expansion and racism, though some found it difficult to get through due to dense academic writing. Liked: - Deep research and documentation - Links between Indian removal policies and later imperialism in Philippines/Vietnam - Focus on specific historical figures like Lewis Cass - Shows continuity of racist ideology across centuries Disliked: - Academic tone makes it less accessible - Repetitive arguments - Too much focus on specific individuals - Some readers felt it was overly negative toward American history Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (56 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (15 ratings) Reader Quote: "Important but challenging read. Takes patience to work through the academic language but rewards with crucial insights about American expansion." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "The connections between frontier violence and overseas imperialism are compelling, though the writing style can be dry."

The Legacy of Conquest by Patricia Nelson Limerick This study of the American West examines the cultural myths and ideological frameworks that shaped colonial expansion and indigenous displacement.

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An American Genocide by Benjamin Madley The text documents California's systematic campaign to exterminate Native Americans during the Gold Rush era through government records and primary sources.

Kill the Indian, Save the Man by Ward Churchill This examination of Native American boarding schools reveals the institutional methods used to destroy indigenous cultures through forced assimilation policies.

The Seeds of Empire by Andrew J. Torget The work connects the displacement of Native Americans and Mexican citizens to cotton expansion and race-based policies in Texas during the 19th century.

🗓️ Author Richard Drinnon spent over 20 years researching and writing this book, which was finally published in 1980. 🏹 The book traces the concept of "Indian-hating" from the early Puritans through the Vietnam War, showing how similar attitudes were applied to different groups across centuries. 📚 Drinnon's work was one of the first major academic studies to connect American frontier mythology directly to later U.S. foreign policy in places like the Philippines and Vietnam. 🎓 As a professor at Bucknell University, Drinnon faced significant pushback for his critical examination of American expansion, particularly during the Cold War era. 🏆 The book won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in 1981, which recognizes works that contribute to understanding racism and cultural diversity.