The Inconvenient Indian

A Curious Account of Native People in North America

By: Thomas King

Narrated by: Lorne Cardinal

The Inconvenient Indian is at once a “history” and the complete subversion of a history - in short, a critical and personal meditation that the remarkable Thomas King has conducted over the past 50 years about what it means to be “Indian” in North America. Rich with dark and light, pain and magic, this book distills the insights gleaned from that meditation, weaving the curiously circular tale of the relationship between non-Natives and Natives in the centuries since the two first encountered each other. In the process, King refashions old stories about historical events and figures, takes a sideways look at film and pop culture, relates his own complex experiences with activism, and articulates a deep and revolutionary understanding of the cumulative effects of ever-shifting laws and treaties on Native peoples and lands.

This is a book both timeless and timely, burnished with anger but tempered by wit, and ultimately a hard-won offering of hope - a sometimes inconvenient but nonetheless indispensable account for all of us, Indian and non-Indian alike, seeking to understand how we might tell a new story for the future.

©2012 Thomas King (P)2018 Novel Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"[The Inconvenient Indian is] essential reading for everyone who cares about Canada and who seeks to understand native people, their issues and their dreams.... Thomas King is beyond being a great writer and storyteller, a lauded academic and educator. He is a towering intellectual. For native people in Canada, he is our Twain; wise, hilarious, incorrigible, with a keen eye for the inconsistencies that make us and our society flawed, enigmatic, but ultimately powerful symbols of freedom. The Inconvenient Indian is less an indictment than a reassurance that we can create equality and harmony. A powerful, important book." (Richard Wagamese, The Globe and Mail)

"King is a Canadian icon.... The Inconvenient Indian is labelled a history book but it is about Canada today. I suggest teachers include a copy in every school classroom. It made me a better Canadian and more compassionate person." (Craig Kielburger, cofounder of Free the Children)

"Every Canadian should read Thomas King’s new book, The Inconvenient Indian.... It's funny, it’s readable, and it makes you think. If you have any kind of a social conscience, The Inconvenient Indian will also make you angry." (Toronto Star)

Excellent Audiobook & Reflective Non-Fiction

A must listen to, even for those who’ve read the book. Lorne Cardinal’s performance fully ignite Thomas King’s well researched and engaging reflection.

Ignore the negative reviews (their emotional)

This book tells some very depressing stories and some people just aren't ready to handle that. The negative reviews here all come from pretty ignorant perspectives, especially the one stating "we're all in this together". Cleary that has never been the case and certainly isn't still. The history here might make people uncomfortable or ashamed, but it still happened (and still is) whether or not we like it.

This book is an excellent, non venomous take on the history of indigenous people in the Americas. If the contents upset you, the problem is with you, not the book. If we're ever going to see genuine equality, we need to own up to the past and learn from our mistakes, not deny them like a bunch of fanatical Karens.

Informative and entertaining

This book tackles very hard subjects in a way that is attainable to everyone. The author has an incredible talent for relating tough data or stories with a dash of humor. This should be a must read to learn, are true history.

amazing

a really important work, told with grace and humor. the narrator does a wonderful job, bringing great life to this book.

Great independence history mixed with some dry humor.

You will want to listen to this book for all the humor speckled brilliantly throughout these stark realities that even today still are happening.