The thirteen contributions collected here from Native American authors and critics modify, build upon, or downright argue with early theories of Native American literary criticism. The essays each work with the notion that Native American literature is best understood and analyzed when collectively- and contextually-viewed rather than under the idea of individual literary representation, and propose a school of Native American studies more true to this notion. Specific topics addressed include: writing American Indian politics, Choctaw literary criticism in the 1830s, applying oral concepts to written traditions, arguments for relations and regionality in Native American literary criticism, and intertribal rhetoric. They also discuss such authors as Winona LaDuke, Joy Harjo, and Paula Gunn Allen. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)