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  • The Inconvenient Indian

  • A Curious Account of Native People in North America
  • Written by: Thomas King
  • Narrated by: Lorne Cardinal
  • Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (908 ratings)

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The Inconvenient Indian

Written by: Thomas King
Narrated by: Lorne Cardinal
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Publisher's Summary

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.

What the critics say

"[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)

Editorial Review

In The Inconvenient Indian, Thomas King ponders what it means to be “Native” in North America, as he draws upon 50 years of his own reflections. His words provide valuable insight amidst continued tension and talks of reconciliation in Canada.

Part history, part narrative, subversive, critical, and always personal, King weaves the story of the relationship between Natives and non-Natives ever since they first met. In doing so, he delves into popular culture, land treaties, Native resistance, all the while noting historical conflicts and never failing to inject his dark humour.

Narrator Lorne Cardinal, a classically trained Canadian actor of Cree descent, is pitch-perfect as he adjusts his tone throughout to convey irony, bemusement, and wry wit. The result is a powerful and captivating listen that is timely for anyone seeking a greater understanding of Native people in Canada.

As an American-Canadian, Thomas King has written extensively about First Nations in both countries. The impetus behind The Inconvenient Indian stems from a fear that aboriginal culture, and their land especially, will be taken away until there is nothing left for them.

Twice nominated for Governor General awards, Thomas King was the first Massey lecturer who identifies as native. The Inconvenient Indian won the RBC Taylor Prize in 2014 and was a finalist for the 2013 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction.

What listeners say about The Inconvenient Indian

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

VERY Important Book for All North Americans

I was looking for an entry to literature by and on First Nations Peoples. It was a very good choice. Compared to the many heart-wrenching novels such as the Orenda and Indian Horse, this book was an easy read, and highly informative. The narrator was witty and satirical at the best of times, and seriously critical at important beats. Thoroughly enjoyable book.

My only criticism is that it had an unclear story structure and seemed to have ended abprupty.

Overall, this book is perfect if you want an easy-to-read yet informative history of the North American people.

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Insight, education, truth.

A fantastic real perspective. An account set in motion by solid story telling foundations. A vast yet brief glimpse at the status of indigenous people in North America and their history up until now from an amazing author with excellent narration.

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2 people found this helpful

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Eye-opener on first nation history in Canada & US

This is the first book I've consumed on history of native Canadians, and heartily recommend it.

Thomas King has a great sense of humour when he reviews the historic, and present-day bad treatment of First Nations. Further, the narrator, Lorne Cardinal, pulls you into the book.

I have already recommended the audible book to family, friends and co-workers.

#Audible1

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The Inconvenient Indian

A very important book for an understanding of indigenous history in North America. The narration is excellent.

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Loved every minute

I had some hesitation about this title, wondering if it was going to be a duty-bound collapse into a quicksand of unpleasant white guilt. But the book is full of humour, compassion, story-telling, and yes, some sadness, but also hopefulness, optimism and pragmatism. Enjoyable narration and an eye-opener for me.

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really great to listen to Lorne Cardinals

great work the book is very easy for someone who knows nothing about the topic and is fairly well put together

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    3 out of 5 stars

informative look

the story could have been told better, it was hard to keep track of the point the author was making as he jumps all over in time and place. way to many dates, reserves, bands, contracts, treaties, politicians and acronyms to follow..sometimes less is more

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I wish I would have read this sooner

relevance of everything this author touches on is so important right now. the way that he freezes things keeps me interested and intrigued. although dealing with pretty serious topics at times he has a light-heartedness way and even humorous at times way of explaining things. I will be in search for anything else that he has written.

his voice is very clear.

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stories....awesome stories

if you want concise, story-telling history of our contemporary reality to appreciate the Truth And Reconciliation needs of Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, look no further. I will hold onto the feelings I experienced through the voice of an expert storyteller. We must do better.

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A must listen!

Very thought provoking and powerful. A great insight into Indigenous-White relations. Highly recommend for those who want to understand those relationships.

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