The American Indian in Western Legal Thought: The Discourses of Conquest

Rating:
Summary: An extraordinary treatment of law affecting native peoples
Review: Having studied, taught and practiced Federal Indian law for nearly twenty years, I believe that this is the finest examination of the historical roots of legal colonialism in the Americas yet written. Williams is masterful in his research and examination of the Christian, European foundations for the invasion of the Western Hemisphere. Although I disagree with Williams' conclusions about the writings of Franciscus de Victoria, his discussion of the Elizabethan colonization of Ireland and, through extension of the same legal doctrines, native North America, is excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Required for native/history majors and everyone else in N.A.
Review: This book is a methodically brings the legal thought of the western world into context of how it relates to the American Indian, a necessary background to the subject. This is done by reviewing medival and reform period of history, the seperation of church and state and land laws, and followed up by the occupation of North America. How this subjecation came to be and how laws not used equally facilitated the holocast in North America. I am glad i read it and have considered doing a second MA at the institution Robert A Williams teaches and have bought his second book and look forward to reading it AFTER i reread the american indian in western legal thought (ps keep a dictionary handy).