Breaking the Iron Bonds

"An exhaustive and seminal study of a pivotal epoch in contemporary Indian history. Skillfully, Ambler describes patterns of corporate exploitation, BIA indifference, fickle federal policies, perennial congressional investigations, and development of energy resources for tribes. This book will endure as a major reference on the legal evolution of tribal control over natural resources."—Western Historical Quarterly

"An important addition to the growing literature on Indian self-rule."—Montana, the Magazine of Western History

"A lucid and informative account of the struggle for effective control of tribally held energy resources-oil and gas, coal, and uranium—in the mountain west of the United States. . . and a telling interpretation of ethnic conflict within the national economy during the past three decades."—The Chronicles of Oklahoma

"A well-researched, readable, and comprehensive overview."—Journal of American History

"Provocative and rich. . . . An original commentary on tribal energy resource management-and a basic primer for public historians on native-American issues and their significance in the twentieth century."—The Public Historian

"This is an important and useful study that suggests optimism concerning Native Americans’ future."—Choice

"A balanced perspective and brilliant synthesis of issues, personalities, and events. . . . Superlative history."—Michael Lawson, author of Dammed Indians: The Pick-Sloan Plan and the Missouri River Sioux

"Ambler is a fair and impressively lucid observer of contemporary Indian affairs. She understands the real and potential impacts of energy development on tribal cultures and reservation life, and she is outstandingly knowledgeable about Indian backgrounds."—Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., author of Now That the Buffalo’s Gone

"Ambler is one of the few non-Indian writers writing about Indians who is able to do so without being maudlin, charitable or condescending. She writes straight from the heart."—Tim Giago, publisher of the Lakota Times