Clearing a Path

Native American studies is ready for theory. Until very recently, historians and others researching the Native American past have almost exclusively described their subject in linear, chronological fashion--relegating the theory to introductory chapters or footnotes. InClearing a Path, Nancy Shoemaker assembles a collection of essays written by some of the most respected names in the field that skillfully places methodological and theoretical concerns first. The anthology is divided into four sections: *"Stories" looks at history as storytelling (and storytelling as history) *"Categories of Analysis" asks how roles like gender affect historical study * "Political Economy" reviews the material context of Native American history on and off the reservation *"Tribal Histories, Indigenous Histories" compares two different modes of examining Native American history. Clearing a Pathoffers new models and ideas for exploring Native American history, drawing from disciplineslike history, anthropology, and creative writing. This a must-read for anyone interested in the history of indigenous peoples.

Nancy Shoemaker, Associate Professor of History at the University of Connecticut