[.uk] Chainbreaker: The Revolutionary War Memoirs of Governor ... (ISBN 080326450X)

A valuable window into American Indian culture and history:
"Chainbreaker: The Revolutionary War Memoirs of Governor Blacksnake, as told to Benjamin Williams," is edited by Thomas S. Abler, who also contributes an introduction and notes. The primary text is a first-person account by a Seneca Indian chief who fought during the American Revolution, and delivered his story orally to another Indian who committed it to writing. In addition to providing an overall introduction for the book, editor Abler also has written individual introductions for each section of the Blacksnake narrative. This supplemental material helps place Blacksnake's words in context. Abler discusses in detail the background and history of the Blacksnake manuscript. He notes that this text "provides a rare Indian view of warfare and of diplomacy in a period when the Six Nations of the Iroquois still played a prominent and significant role in the development of North America" (p. 8). Abler discusses Blacksnake's family, his names, his people's culture, the Iroquois Confederacy as a political entity, and relations among the British, the revolutionary colonists, and Native Americans. It's a fascinating backdrop for Blacksnake's own story. Blacksnake's own words show conflict within the Indian community, relations with white people, and the role of Indian women. He describes combat involving firearms, tomahawks, knives, and the "war whoop." Also covered in the book is the religious vision and career of Blacksnake's uncle, the prophet Handsome Lake. Appendices to the primary text include an intriguing series of communications between George Washington and Seneca leaders. Abler notes that the Blacksnake/Williams text is written in "somewhat individualistic English"; I imagine many contemporary readers will find the text quite difficult, and will be thankful for Abler's clearly written supplementary text. The text is also enhanced by a wealth of visual materials, including maps, a daguerreotype of the elderly Blacksnake, reproductions of historic illustrations of other Indian leaders, photographs of historic wampum belts, and more. Also worthy of note is the extensive bibliography. This is a fascinating book, but I found it to be tragic and sad; it seems to me that in the main text and supplemental materials we can see the decline of the Iroquois Confederacy from a true military and political force to a marginalized people. Despite this downbeat aspect, the book is a real tribute to Blacksnake, Handsome Lake, and other remarkable Indian leaders. Overall, Abler has assembled a valuable contribution to both Native American studies and United States military history. Recommended companion text: "Geronimo: His Own Story," edited by Frederick Turner.