Today’s the day! Wakara’s America: The Life and Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West is officially published TODAY with Basic Books.

Drawing together deep archival research with Native oral histories, archaeology, geology, and ecology, Wakara’s America offers an innovative new vision of the history of the American West with Native people at its center. It serves as a powerful testament to Wakara’s legacy, which endures in his story, in his tribal descendants, and in their stewardship of their ancestral lands today.

Here are a few early reviews:

“Deeply researched… [a] revealing study from a forgotten theater of the war against Native America.”―Kirkus

“Gripping… an eye-opening and layered new vision of the American West.”―Publishers Weekly (starred)

A book launch is exciting but scary; as we hope for a broad and engaged readership. If you have time to help in that cause, please consider doing one of the following [h/t to Katharine Gerbner and her wonderful new book Archival Interruptions for these suggestions]:

1. Order the book, if you haven’t already and are able to do so. [Bookshop| Amazon].
2. Request that your local and/or University library order Wakara’s America for its collection. This is really important, particularly since many libraries are now acquiring most books based on request.
3. Let me know if you are planning to use Wakara’s America in a class – I am happy to zoom in to answer questions from students!
4. Share a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Even just a sentence is a great help in making it easier for readers to discover the book.
5. Post a link and/or pictures on social media and recommend Wakara’s America to a friend or colleague. Personal recommendations are so important for spreading the word. (I’m on Bluesky at:@maxperrymueller.bsky.social and on Substack@maxperrymueller)
6. I’ve got several in person events coming up, including TODAY at the University of Utah. Next week, I’ll be in Omaha on November 11 at the Bookworm and in Lincoln on November 13 at Francie & Finch. On November 24, I’ll be at the Harvard Bookstore in conversation with the great and good Phil Deloria. Follow me on my website for more dates!
7. Forward this post to anyone who might be interested!