Savage Anxieties: The Invention of Western Civilization Hardcover – Illustrated, August 21, 2012

I liked the readability of each chapter.I recommend to someone who is ready to learn.Five stars because of invaluable insight on confluence of works of persuasion written language impact on reality and mythical culture with courageous confrontations to de facto mindset molded by 3000 years of cumulative refinement of the savage to be scapegoat of every age.

The author uses his clear erudition to force the reader to to face the hard question of one's baked in prejudices that are used by "special interests" to enrich themselves at the expense of the powerless. A more broadly applicable question in this country than just Indian rights. The book reads a bit like a legal brief but the author's deep knowledge of the history and his revealing the clay feet of our leading lights in our part of this history make it worth reading.

"Savage Anxieties" is an excellent help to understand the development of the Ancient Greek View about the Savages and the embracement of such a view by later cultures and societies. Highly Recommended to understand the origin and some of the developments about the idea of one's own superior society and/or culture and potential the discrimination and/or rejection of someone's else culture and/or society.

Robert Williams is a major scholar, and this book will only enhance is already considerable reputation. This is one of those grand histories of European thought that begins with the ancient Greek invention of the idea of the savage, following the development of this concept right down to the present, where it is still being used "to justify violations of the most basic human rights". His analytical and carefully reasoned account is essential to understanding the modern perpetuation of stereotypes, especially in the Native American context.

Book was for someone else. But I read it when available. I heard the author speak with Bill Moyers and knew the book was worthwhile. I know for sure that some U.S. laws based on Colonial legal decisions are depriving Native Americans of lands to which only they have a right. Some are Papal Statements which are underpinnings for U. S. laws which are still on the books.

A clearly written summary (~250 pgs) of how ideas regarding the simple, uncivilized, lawless, propertyless, pure, uncorrupted, erotic and exotic savage, perceived as outside of, and threatening to, western civilization, has influenced how europeans and their settlers justified and understood expansion against, and suppression of, the 'savages' from ancient Athens to modern America, Australia and Canada.

Williams made many interesting facts/data and hypos concerning the Native Americans (the 1st Americans, by the way) in this country. His book does open one's eyes assuming they're closed to all humanity but one sect.

A very interesting and educational book about the origin of the concept of "Savage". It causes one to think about your own anxiety over unfamiliar experiences.

Extremely thorough development of the concept of savage coming from the Romans and how it was perpetuated. It allowed a greater understanding of colonialism and the lack of morals for actions taking against the indigenous people.

I ordered this book because I'd heard a talk by the author - who is an Indigenous lawyer - on this subject. The book does not disappoint. Not only does it explain the origins of negative depictions of 'savages' right back to ancient Greece, but also the tradition of the 'noble savage'. Although I'm an historian who has studied racism all my life, I definitely learned a lot from this book.