Adirondack: Of Indians and Mountains, 1535-1838

“Anyone who has an Adirondack bookshelf will need this volume anchoring the far left end. It is where the story of this place begins, and it is told with both great accuracy and great power—a book for anyone whose heart is in these mountains.” – Bill McKibben

Generously illustrated with contemporary maps and engravings in full color, this work presents the first comprehensive history of the 1535-1838 period in the Adirondacks, providing detailed information about the Adirondack Indians after whom the range was named as well as the Native American groups who visited and hunted these mountains in early historical times. Dr. Sulavik explores the origins and meanings of the word Adirondack through a meticulous analysis of primary documents about the Native peoples and physical place bearing the name. He also traces the history of European exploration of the region through 1838. The earliest written accounts, journals, and maps, as well as contemporary scholarship in the fields of anthropology and geology, have been identified, assembled and analyzed by the author in one place to give an intimate and authoritative look at the Adirondacks during this period of intermingling. This will benefit scholarship as well as contribute to the general understanding of early Adirondack history.

Includes 31 full-color, full-page maps from European, Canadian, and American archives, many never reproduced before, 55 illustrations, bibliography, index.

Co-published with the Adirondack Museum