Super Short Summary

The Ordeal of the Longhouse by Daniel K. Richter is a historical survey exploring the Iroquois League's responses to European colonization between 1600 and 1750. Richter examines how the Tuscaroras, Senecas, Cayugas, Oneidas, and Onondagas adapted their traditions and norms to survive amidst aggressive colonization, leading to significant cultural changes. The book highlights the Iroquois' diplomatic and trade strategies, their shifting settlements, and their complex interactions with neighboring tribes and European powers. The spread of foreign diseases brought by Europeans resulted in significant loss of life among the Iroquois. This exploration of their resilience and adaptability underscores their enduring legacy beyond the eighteenth century.