Herbert Ingram Priestley (1875–1944)

THE COMING OF THE WHITE MAN 1492-1848 is the first book in a 13-volume collection known as A History of American Life. Each volume is written by a different historian or historians. Herbert Ingram Priestley, the author of this first volume, was an expert on Mexican history. This work, first published in 1930, covers the Spanish, French, and Dutch colonial efforts in the New World, with particular emphasis on Spanish colonization of Mexico and lands northward. There is a preponderance of attention paid to the Spanish, at times seeming to give comparatively short shrift to the French and Dutch, but then the Spanish colonial effort was remarkably widespread and tenacious compared to those of the other colonial powers in North America at the time. Although English colonies existed (powerfully so) contemporaneously with these other European outposts, Priestley refers to them only in occasional allusion, possibly preserving that most pertinent part of U.S. history for later volumes. At any rate, Priestley relays more than anyone could ask about the governance, politics, mercantilism, religion, and sustenance of North American colonials, and does so in a generally quite readable style. Some of the ideas and language ("redskins") are clearly less acceptable now than they were when the book was published 87 years ago. At the same time, Priestley presents a rather progressive and disdainful view of the wholesale diminishment of the native population by both religious and political leaders of the European "invaders." While dated in tone at times, this is a readable and valuable starting point for learning about the history of America after the white man showed up to exert "manifest destiny."… (mais)

The 411 pages includes the Index, which I didn't read, & Chapter 13 "Critical Essay on Authorities" which I only read half of because it is a list of books, most before 1920, that would help with understanding this material. Would be great if I were doing a research paper & wanted original documentation, but that's not where I'm at!

This is a history resource book that I found hard to follow, it takes a subject & follows it through a period of time, then starts the next back a few years. Again, if I were doing a research paper, it would have been great! Also, understanding Spanish & French better would have helped because most of the books referenced throughout were in those languages. The parts about the Dutch were more in English.

Great resource, not a reading book.

… (mais)