Description
Book SynopsisA portrait and revisionist study of the famous Native leader Powhatan and his realm, which encompassed the Tidewater area of Virginia from the James River to the Potomac River. This work illuminates alternative conceptions of power and cosmology that force reconsideration of important components of Powhatan society.
Trade Review“
Powhatan Lords of Life and Death is required reading for those interested in the Powhatans or early Virginia and offers an example of careful and creative analysis of difficult sources that should provide a model for anyone interested in understanding Indian societies through European materials.”—April Lee Hatfield,
Journal of Southern History“An important, insightful, and original contribution to the burgeoning literature on the Native peoples of the Chesapeake region.”—James Rice,
Maryland Historical Magazine“The reader finishes this book with a deeper and clearer understanding of the Powhatan interpretation of the cosmos and of their social customs.”—Cassandra Farrell,
Virginia LibrariesTable of ContentsList of IllustrationsPrefaceIntroduction1. The Realm of Powhatan2. "Civilizing" the Powhatan3. Kings and Councilors in Tidewater Virginia4. "Priests" and "Conjurors"5. Dual Sovereignty in Tidewater Virginia6. ConclusionNotes ReferencesIndex
