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snailhotel's review against another edition
5.0
read this for my intro to native american studies class
i really enjoyed this book! as a non-Indian person, i found it very informative--not so much on the nitty-gritty politics surrounding Indians and their history, but more on the little social/cultural nuances and challenges surrounding the ways in which Indians have to navigate modern western society, which has often relegated them/their people to the past.
Smith writes with a very sardonic/humorous tone which was always a welcome respite from the very straightforward academic readings i've had to do
i really enjoyed this book! as a non-Indian person, i found it very informative--not so much on the nitty-gritty politics surrounding Indians and their history, but more on the little social/cultural nuances and challenges surrounding the ways in which Indians have to navigate modern western society, which has often relegated them/their people to the past.
Smith writes with a very sardonic/humorous tone which was always a welcome respite from the very straightforward academic readings i've had to do
jjvaldezbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounded up.
because I'm nearly 20 years late to this book, i did struggle to follow along with some of the references to pop culture and events, especially the many artists. it's a bit dated due to that, and often you can tell that an essay was originally a speech he gave where you're expected to be seeing a particular piece or show shortly after. but i really enjoyed the insights i was able to take away, both in the history of Native organizing, and the more personal politics of identity. one of the final essays in particular, about the struggle that comes with being "half" something (for him, Comanche; for me, it's Mexican) will stay with me for a long, long time
because I'm nearly 20 years late to this book, i did struggle to follow along with some of the references to pop culture and events, especially the many artists. it's a bit dated due to that, and often you can tell that an essay was originally a speech he gave where you're expected to be seeing a particular piece or show shortly after. but i really enjoyed the insights i was able to take away, both in the history of Native organizing, and the more personal politics of identity. one of the final essays in particular, about the struggle that comes with being "half" something (for him, Comanche; for me, it's Mexican) will stay with me for a long, long time
liberrydude's review against another edition
3.0
Found this weeding the library's collection and its title cried out to be read. Another hidden gem. A collection of disparate essays on being Indian and about their place in the world. I enjoyed the first third of the book more than the remainder which discussed art and Indian artists. Smith is witty, cheeky and is all over issues, debunking stereotypes, endorsing stereotypes. You never quite know what he's thinking or where he stands as his views have evolved over time. We have the Indian as: drunk, noble savage, victim, etc. Great writing and insight from a guy who never graduated from college. A really witty essay on irony. Smith grew up as a suburban Indian, was involved with AIM, and then becomes a curator at the NMAI. Go figure.
tumblehawk's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve had this book on my radar for a couple of years and so glad to finally get my paws on it. This is a collection of fifteen years’ worth of essays (gleaned from art magazines, exhibit brochures, speeches, etc) by Paul Chaat Smith, who’s been an Associate Curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian for almost twenty years now. If there’s an overarching thesis binding these essays together, you can find it in the title, and it’s this: Native Americans are not seen for who they are by non-Natives. Rather, we project tropes on to them (once: the scalping savage; now: the quiet environmentalist, for just two examples) and see them as a monolith when an honest look at their lives (a look filtered, in this book, largely through art history and images) reveals a rich multiplicity. These essays are capital F Funny. He’s a really charming writer, kind of snarky, taking potshots at everyone. He’s ready to make fun of himself, too. It was just a pleasure to sit with his vibe for a few days, to learn more about the contemporary history of Native American art and political struggles—I actually read this book as a sort of primer before my next read, David Treuer’s recent release, The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee. This book was published in 2009 and I found myself wondering what Paul Chaat Smith had to say about writers like Tommy Orange, Terese Mailhot, and Layli Longsoldier (just to name a few)—googling turned up no comments I could find from Smith, but I found two interviews in which Tommy Orange implored folks to read Everything You Know About Indians Is Wrong. So take the recommendation from Tommy if you don’t take it from me.
linluvsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I learned a great deal and enjoyed the essays individually - Paul Chaat Smith is clearly smart, insightful, knowledgeable and funny - but overall the book lacked flow. The essays were loosely grouped into parts, but they could have used a bit of a set up perhaps.
I think it would’ve worked better if I’d read them over a longer period, only one essay at a time.
I think it would’ve worked better if I’d read them over a longer period, only one essay at a time.
marginaliant's review against another edition
3.0
Take this three stars with a massive pinch of salt, as most of the essays are pretty good (or at least have good bits.) My favorites were “A Place Called Irony” and “Every Picture Tells a Story.” Unfortunately our author’s style doesn’t work for me as a whole because A) I don’t think he’s as funny as he seems to think he is and B) I don’t understand most of his many, many, many music/film/pop culture references that are littered throughout.