Best Native American & Aboriginal Biographies Books of 2025

Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is a stunning photographic and narrative celebration of contemporary Native American life and cultures. Matika Wilbur's decade-long art and storytelling endeavor offers justice to the richness, diversity, and lived experiences of Indian Country by countering the one-dimensional and archaic stereotypes of Native people in mainstream media. The book contains hundreds of stunning portraits and compelling personal narratives of contemporary Native people, touching on personal and cultural identity as well as issues of media representation, sovereignty, faith, family, and more. Project 562 is a vital contribution from an incomparable artist that inspires, educates, and truly changes the way we see Native America.

Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne is a gripping historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West. The book centers on Quanah, the greatest Comanche chief of them all, and the epic saga of the pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker and her mixed-blood son Quanah. Gwynne presents a sweeping narrative that encompasses Spanish colonialism, the Civil War, the destruction of the buffalo herds, and the arrival of the railroads. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in how the United States came into being.

Mignon François, the speaker, entrepreneur, and community leader, shares her journey of turning $5 into a multi-million-dollar bakery brand in her book "Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe." Despite having no experience or recipe, she found her purpose and built a legacy that has inspired thousands. This motivational self-help book is a testament to the power of perseverance and the "Follow Your Spirit" approach. The book has garnered national attention from various publications and highlights how anyone can achieve success if they believe. Overall, "Made from Scratch" is a must-read for anyone looking for inspiration and guidance in their entrepreneurial journey.

The Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story is a gripping memoir that tells the story of David Crow and his family's survival in the face of his abusive father's criminal demands. Despite growing up on the Navajo reservation and facing numerous challenges, David managed to achieve professional success. However, when he finally refused his father's criminal demands, he triggered a plot of revenge that threatened his life. The book is a raw and inspiring story about the power of forgiveness and the strength of the human spirit. Overall, The Pale-Faced Lie is a must-read memoir that sheds light on the devastating effects of abuse and the resilience of the human spirit.

The book "Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII" is a gripping account of Chester Nez's life as a Navajo code talker during World War II. Despite facing discrimination and being punished for speaking his native language, Nez answered the call to defend his country after Pearl Harbor. This book provides a fascinating insight into one of WWII's most closely guarded secrets and the development of a uniquely American code. The inclusion of the actual Navajo code and rare pictures adds to its value. Overall, "Code Talker" is an important and inspiring memoir that sheds light on the contributions of the Navajo people to American history.

Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe is a riveting biography about America's greatest athlete. David Maraniss, the bestselling author of When Pride Still Mattered, delivers a masterful and in-depth portrait of Thorpe's life. Thorpe's colossal skills earned him gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, an All-American football player title, and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, his life was a struggle against racism, broken marriages, financial distress, and alcohol. Maraniss sifts through the myths about Thorpe, depicting a proud and complicated man who sought to shape his own destiny despite larger forces of racism and hypocrisy. Path Lit by Lightning tells his story with skill and integrity.

The Earth Is All That Lasts is a captivating historical account of the final chapter of the "Indian Wars" through the stories of two legendary Lakota chiefs, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. Author Mark Lee Gardner draws on previously ignored primary sources to deliver a thrilling and definitive chronicle of these extraordinary Indigenous leaders. The book offers a glimpse into the lives of these iconic figures, their bravery, and their struggles against the white intruders, culminating in their victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American history and the fight for freedom and sovereignty.

The latest addition to Bill O'Reilly's Killing series, Killing Crazy Horse: The Merciless Indian Wars in America, is a gripping account of the historic clashes between Native Americans and settlers in the American West. The authors delve into the fraught history of America's founding on already occupied lands, revealing never-before-told historical moments. They take readers behind the legends and impart unexpected lessons that still reverberate today. This fast-paced, wild ride through the American frontier is a must-read for anyone interested in the fascinating creation story of America.

Wanderlust: An Eccentric Explorer, an Epic Journey, a Lost Age is a mesmerizing biography of Peter Freuchen, an adventurous Danish explorer who traversed some of the greatest frontiers of the twentieth century. The book is meticulously researched and grippingly written, providing an unforgettable tale of daring and discovery. It is an inspiring portrait of restlessness and grit, and a powerful meditation on our relationship to the planet and our fellow human beings. The book highlights Freuchen's ideals that were remarkably ahead of his time, championing Indigenous communities and environmental stewardship. Wanderlust is an absolute joy to read and an excellent addition to any travel and explorer biography collection.

Becoming Kin: An Indigenous Call to Unforgetting the Past and Reimagining Our Future by Patty Krawec is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the impact of European Christian settler colonialism on Indigenous Americans. Krawec weaves together her own story with that of her ancestors, historical analysis, cultural insights, and Indigenous ways of knowing to offer a stunning call to "unforget" our history. The book asks important questions about how we can become better relatives to the land, to one another, and to Indigenous movements for solidarity. Krawec's prose is passionate and electric, making this an essential read for anyone interested in Christian social issues books.