Red Jacket, one of America's most remarkable Indians and the great chief of the powerful Seneca, is the subject of this original and exciting biography. By drawing on the writings of those who knew Red Jacket in real life, as well as upon his own lifetime study of the Northeast Indians, Arthur Parker dramatically reveals the part this great Indian played in early American history.

RED JACKET opens with an authentic and stirring description of Red Jacket's youth—of the village where he was born, the legends that molded him, the countryside he roamed and hunted. Sitting by the campfire at night the young brave eagerly drank in the words of his elders, storing their ancient wisdom in his mind. And, as he grew into maturity, he came to see the evils that colonization would bring to his people.

Brilliant and promising, Red Jacket was soon recognized by his people as a great orator. He later became the supreme spokesman of the Six Nations of the Iroquois, again and again warning his people in eloquent and forceful language to guard their lands and their faith against the encroachment of the white settlers.

In colorful prose Arthur Parker tells of the part the Iroquois played in the Revolution. Here is the famous story of how the great Seneca chief received his now renowned red jacket from the British and of how he met General Washington at Philadelphia and was decorated by him.

More than any other man of his time Red Jacket challenged the sincerity of the white colonizers and unmasked the forces that served to undermine and destroy Indian life in the Northeast. By writing his book from the Indian point of view, Arthur Parker has succeeded in presenting a fascinating picture of the times when the Indian way of life in America was succumbing to a more advanced civilization.

Arthur Parker, whose great-grandfather fought with Red Jacket in the War of 1812, is eminently suited to write this book. Of Indian descent, he is a recognized authority on Indians and has written some ten books on their culture.

From the dust jacket