On Our Own Ground: The Complete Writings of William Apess, a Pequot

On Our Own Ground compiles the complete published works of William Apess (1798-1839), a Pequot Indian minister and writer who advocated for Native American rights in New England. The collection includes Apess's autobiography, religious tracts, political essays, and historical writings that document early 19th century Native American experiences. Jean M. O'Brien provides extensive historical context and scholarly analysis through detailed introductions and annotations throughout the volume. The book presents Apess's writings chronologically, allowing readers to trace the development of his ideas and literary style over time. The collection contains key works including "A Son of the Forest," "The Experiences of Five Christian Indians," and "Indian Nullification of the Unconstitutional Laws of Massachusetts." Apess's accounts combine personal narrative with political criticism of white society's treatment of Native Americans. This compilation stands as a vital resource for understanding Indigenous perspectives on Christianity, racial identity, and social justice in early American history. The texts reveal the complex intersections between Native American activism, religious conversion, and resistance to colonial power structures.

Readers value this collection as one of few surviving records of early Native American writing, with Apess's voice and perspective providing direct insight into 19th century Indigenous experiences. Likes: - Clear reproduction of original texts with helpful annotations - Strong historical context through O'Brien's introductory essays - Documentation of both religious and political Indigenous writing - Inclusion of Apess's autobiographical works alongside his sermons and essays Dislikes: - Dense academic language in the editorial content - High price point for classroom use - Some find the annotations interrupt reading flow - Limited biographical details about Apess's later life Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 5/5 (2 ratings) Several academic reviewers note the book's value for Native American studies courses but suggest it can be challenging for undergraduate readers. One Goodreads reviewer highlighted the importance of Apess's "Indian's Looking-Glass" essay as a key text for understanding early Native American perspectives on race relations.

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🔖 William Apess was the first Native American to publish his autobiography in North America, releasing "A Son of the Forest" in 1829. 🏺 The Pequot tribe, to which Apess belonged, was nearly destroyed in the Pequot War of 1637 but managed to survive and maintain their cultural identity despite severe persecution. 📚 Editor Jean M. O'Brien (White Earth Ojibwe) is one of the most prominent Native American historians in academia and teaches at the University of Minnesota. 📜 The book includes all five of Apess's known published works, including his famous "Eulogy on King Philip," which boldly criticized white New England society's treatment of Native Americans. 🖋️ Apess was a Methodist minister who used Christian theology to argue for Native American rights, challenging the prevalent belief that Native Americans could not be both "civilized" and maintain their cultural identity.