King Philip's War - Book Review

King Philip’s War: A History from Beginning to End (Native American History) by Hourly History

The King Philip's War in the 17th century was a period in North American history marked by the arrival of the English colonists. The new settlers not only introduced new diseases but also interfered with the affairs of the indigenous people. The main cause of the war between the colonists and the Native Americans was the dispute over control of land and territory. The English colonists believed that they were a superior race and rejected Indian sovereignty, which led to the categorization of the indigenous people as inferior.

The Native Americans consisted of different tribes, each with its own set of rules, goals, and direction. However, differences often led to conflict, particularly over territory for hunting, farming, and settling. Sympathetic groups banded together for strength, support, and protection from hostile tribes, polarizing the population.

When the Europeans, especially the English, arrived in their land, the rift between the warring tribes worsened. The colonists took advantage of the land dispute among the indigenous people and advanced their own interests in securing the land for themselves. They formed alliances with some of the warring tribes and undermined the sovereignty of the Indian people. Massasoit, one of the tribal chiefs of the Wampanoag group, lamented over the tragedy that was happening in his native land and questioned the concept of property. He once said,

“What is this you call property? It cannot be the earth, for the land is our mother, nourishing all her children, beasts, birds, fish, and all men. The woods, the streams, and everything on earth belong to everybody and is for the use of all. How can one man say it belongs only to him?”

The indigenous people realized that the Europeans were serious about defending what they had taken and saw that no Indian land was safe anymore. Massasoit tried to organize his people to oppose the colonists more diplomatically, but he died. His younger son, Metacomet (which means Philip in English), took it upon himself to lead his people in fighting the colonists, imposing stricter rules in dealing with them. The Wampanoags’ method of fighting was hit-and-run raids against the English and their local allies, which only heightened the attacks and counter-attacks between the indigenous people and the settlers.

The countless deaths among their own had weakened the spirits of the indigenous people, but they continued to fight until the final battle at Mount Hope, where many of Metacomet’s people surrendered to the English.

The Book and the Author

Hourly History’s King Philip’s War: A History from Beginning to End (Native American History), is a concise and informative resource that gives readers a glimpse of the Native Americans’ plight during the 17th century. The book is particularly helpful for students to learn about some important events and the role of King Philip in the conflict. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages, particularly the younger generation, or the so-called Gen Z. Therefore, I give this book a 5-star rating.