War on the Turtle's Back

Examines North American Indigenous campaigns during the Seven Years War, highlighting their perspectives, tactics, culture, and daily life.

War on the Turtle's Back examines all the campaigns fought by Woodland Indians of North America during the period of the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) and beyond from 1752 to 1766. Using contemporary documents and accounts, and recorded oral evidence, research papers and published works by native scholars and others, the book covers the wars from the various viewpoints of Indigenous Peoples, putting their motives and military involvement centre stage from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi valley. Indeed, consensual choices made by people of sovereign tribal nations unacceptable to officials of France or Britain were to eventually lead to war between these European powers.

To enhance the appreciation of the part played by Woodland Indians during the French and Indian War, War on the Turtle's Back gives contextual background information on daily life, governance, beliefs, dress, and the way war was carried out, from the initiation of a war party to its return home. Details of training, organisation, the role of women, campaigning and the actual tactics employed (as opposed to those portrayed in novels, movies and the media) are given. As well as descriptions of dress fashion at the time, contemporary illustrations and photographs help give a guide to the visual appearance of Indigenous Peoples.

The book will particularly appeal to those interested in history generally, military history, the history of colonial America and American Indian history and culture. The book would also be useful to wargamers wanting to simulate indigenous warfare of the period on the tabletop, and to modellers with regard to the clothing and accoutrements.