Encounters at the Heart of the World by Elizabeth A. Fenn explores the history of the Mandan people, examining their cultural and economic heyday along the upper Missouri River to their near extinction by 1838 due to European contact, disease, and environmental challenges, while highlighting their resilience and ongoing cultural significance. The book describes epidemics, cultural suppression, and forced relocation.

Informative

Contemplative

Mysterious

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.2

1,002 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Elizabeth A. Fenn's Encounters at the Heart of the World provides a meticulous and vivid portrayal of the Mandan people. Scholars praise Fenn's thorough research and engaging narrative. However, some find the detailed focus on daily life overly dense. Overall, the book is an insightful and significant contribution to Native American history.

Who Should Read Encounters at the Heart of the World?

Readers interested in Native American history, particularly the Mandan people, will enjoy Elizabeth A. Fenn's Encounters at the Heart of the World. Fans of Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee or Colin G. Calloway's The Indian World of George Washington will find this detailed historical account compelling and insightful.

4.2

1,002 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Encounters at the Heart of the World by Elizabeth A. Fenn won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2015, highlighting its significant contribution to historical scholarship.

Elizabeth A. Fenn utilizes an interdisciplinary approach in her research, incorporating fields such as archaeology, anthropology, and epidemiology to provide a multi-faceted view of the Mandan people's world.

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The book is noted for its environmental historical perspective, exploring the relationship between the Mandan Indians and their landscape in the Northern Plains.

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Book Details

Pages

480

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre

Historical Fiction

•

Anthropology

Setting

North America • 18th Century

Theme