Caught in the Maelstrom: The Indian Nations in the Civil War, 1861-1865

The American Civil War was a complicated and multifaceted conflict. While ultimately it was about slavery, individual actors and even larger groups had their own reasons for fighting on one side or the other. For example, the five Native American tribes of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek (Muscogee), and Seminole fought on both Union and Confederate sides of the war; for them, slavery was not always the essential issue.

This book is a fascinating account of a neglected aspect of the war. It is incredibly detailed and well-documented; this also means it is factually dense. In fact, the book is made directly from the author’s doctoral thesis, and it is quite academic. New names and players are difficult to sort out and keep straight, made even more challenging as the actors’ loyalties sometimes shift. This is definitely a scholarly work, not written for a general audience; however, it is not unaccessible for those who are willing to make the effort. It is worth the effort for those who want to better understand the Civil War in general, as well as better understand the history of these tribes during this time.