Overview

W. Raymond Wood played a leading role in the early days of Great Plains archaeology. In A White-Bearded Plainsman, he tells how his own career emerged, as the discipline of Plains archaeology developed during the post-World War II era. Readers will learn of the childhood influences that lead Wood to pursue the path of archaeologist, and of the events and people that shaped his professional life. In addition to telling Wood's personal story, the book provides an intellectual history of the discipline of mid-continental archaeology over the last half century. It will thus be valuable to students and scholars in the field, as it describes how the paradigms in Plains and midwestern prehistory have changed over time. To understand the discipline, one must understand the cultural and intellectual underpinnings that shaped it. Wood's book helps map for a new generation of archaeologists from whence they've come, and his role in the developments along the way.

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9781607811305

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Reviews

An excellent history of Plains archaeolgoy. This is compelling reading enhanced by many photographs. Ray Wood's contribution to our general knowledge of the Plains, and specifically those who lived in and explored the Missouri River trench, are unparalleled. North Dakota History

An excellent history of Plains archaeolgoy. This is compelling reading enhanced by many photographs. Ray Wood's contribution to our general knowledge of the Plains, and specifically those who lived in and explored the Missouri River trench, are unparalleled. --North Dakota History Dr. Wood's memoir is entertaining but also instructional and serves as a very useful reference. Anyone working on the Plains should have this volume in their library. His memoir provides a very readable history of the changes that the discipline underwent since 1950 from a person that lived it to the fullest and greatly influenced it. --Plains Anthropologist In reading A White-Bearded Plainsman closely, it becomes inconceivable to imagine where Plains archeology would be today without Ray Wood.... The book is a delight to read and, in effect, it is a history of modern Plains archeology as seen through the keen eyes of a scholar with a deep passion for the past and its study. --Nebraska History Engagingly written.... The book demonstrates Wood's eclectic nature, expertise in scientific research, and skill as a raconteur on paper as well as orally around the campfire.... A case study for those intrigued by how individuals anticipate, prepare for, and pursue their careers. --The Annals of Iowa This book is an excellent read for archaeologists, historians, ethnohistorians, and general enthusiasts of the Great Plains. It provides a clear chronicle of a man who dedicated his considerable intellect, curiosity, energy, and talent to understanding the prehistory and history of the indigenous peoples of the plains. --Kansas History Ray's memoir ... shows him to be a fine writer and terrific storyteller. Anyone interested in the history of American archaeology should read this memoir. --Great Plains Research As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. --Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. --Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas -An excellent history of Plains archaeolgoy. This is compelling reading enhanced by many photographs. Ray Wood's contribution to our general knowledge of the Plains, and specifically those who lived in and explored the Missouri River trench, are unparalleled.---North Dakota History -Dr. Wood's memoir is entertaining but also instructional and serves as a very useful reference. Anyone working on the Plains should have this volume in their library. His memoir provides a very readable history of the changes that the discipline underwent since 1950 from a person that lived it to the fullest and greatly influenced it.---Plains Anthropologist -In reading A White-Bearded Plainsman closely, it becomes inconceivable to imagine where Plains archeology would be today without Ray Wood.... The book is a delight to read and, in effect, it is a history of modern Plains archeology as seen through the keen eyes of a scholar with a deep passion for the past and its study.---Nebraska History -Engagingly written.... The book demonstrates Wood's eclectic nature, expertise in scientific research, and skill as a raconteur on paper as well as orally around the campfire.... A case study for those intrigued by how individuals anticipate, prepare for, and pursue their careers.---The Annals of Iowa -This book is an excellent read for archaeologists, historians, ethnohistorians, and general enthusiasts of the Great Plains. It provides a clear chronicle of a man who dedicated his considerable intellect, curiosity, energy, and talent to understanding the prehistory and history of the indigenous peoples of the plains.---Kansas History -Ray's memoir ... shows him to be a fine writer and terrific storyteller. Anyone interested in the history of American archaeology should read this memoir.---Great Plains Research -As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time.---Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming -The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists.---Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas In reading A White-Bearded Plainsman closely, it becomes inconceivable to imagine where Plains archeology would be today without Ray Wood.... The book is a delight to read and, in effect, it is a history of modern Plains archeology as seen through the keen eyes of a scholar with a deep passion for the past and its study. Nebraska History As someone who lived through the teenage years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. --Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. --Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas

An excellent history of Plains archaeolgoy. This is compelling reading enhanced by many photographs. Ray Wood's contribution to our general knowledge of the Plains, and specifically those who lived in and explored the Missouri River trench, are unparalleled. --North Dakota History Dr. Wood's memoir is entertaining but also instructional and serves as a very useful reference. Anyone working on the Plains should have this volume in their library. His memoir provides a very readable history of the changes that the discipline underwent since 1950 from a person that lived it to the fullest and greatly influenced it. --Plains Anthropologist In reading A White-Bearded Plainsman closely, it becomes inconceivable to imagine where Plains archeology would be today without Ray Wood.... The book is a delight to read and, in effect, it is a history of modern Plains archeology as seen through the keen eyes of a scholar with a deep passion for the past and its study. --Nebraska History Engagingly written.... The book demonstrates Wood's eclectic nature, expertise in scientific research, and skill as a raconteur on paper as well as orally around the campfire.... A case study for those intrigued by how individuals anticipate, prepare for, and pursue their careers. --The Annals of Iowa This book is an excellent read for archaeologists, historians, ethnohistorians, and general enthusiasts of the Great Plains. It provides a clear chronicle of a man who dedicated his considerable intellect, curiosity, energy, and talent to understanding the prehistory and history of the indigenous peoples of the plains. --Kansas History Ray's memoir ... shows him to be a fine writer and terrific storyteller. Anyone interested in the history of American archaeology should read this memoir. --Great Plains Research As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. --Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. --Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas -As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time.---Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming -The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists.---Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas In reading A White-Bearded Plainsman closely, it becomes inconceivable to imagine where Plains archeology would be today without Ray Wood.... The book is a delight to read and, in effect, it is a history of modern Plains archeology as seen through the keen eyes of a scholar with a deep passion for the past and its study. Nebraska History As someone who lived through the teenage years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. --Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. --Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas

The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. --Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. --Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas As someone who lived through the teenage years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming In reading A White-Bearded Plainsman closely, it becomes inconceivable to imagine where Plains archeology would be today without Ray Wood.... The book is a delight to read and, in effect, it is a history of modern Plains archeology as seen through the keen eyes of a scholar with a deep passion for the past and its study. Nebraska History -The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists.---Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas -As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time.---Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming The reader is not only exposed to the emerging field of Plains archaeology, but also to Wood's excellent job of recounting how his own training was shaped by experiences and influences from archaeologists, historians, geographers, and ecologists. --Mary J. Adair, University of Kansas As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. --Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming Ray's memoir ... shows him to be a fine writer and terrific storyteller. Anyone interested in the history of American archaeology should read this memoir. --Great Plains Research This book is an excellent read for archaeologists, historians, ethnohistorians, and general enthusiasts of the Great Plains. It provides a clear chronicle of a man who dedicated his considerable intellect, curiosity, energy, and talent to understanding the prehistory and history of the indigenous peoples of the plains. --Kansas History Engagingly written.... The book demonstrates Wood's eclectic nature, expertise in scientific research, and skill as a raconteur on paper as well as orally around the campfire.... A case study for those intrigued by how individuals anticipate, prepare for, and pursue their careers. --The Annals of Iowa In reading A White-Bearded Plainsman closely, it becomes inconceivable to imagine where Plains archeology would be today without Ray Wood.... The book is a delight to read and, in effect, it is a history of modern Plains archeology as seen through the keen eyes of a scholar with a deep passion for the past and its study. --Nebraska History Dr. Wood's memoir is entertaining but also instructional and serves as a very useful reference. Anyone working on the Plains should have this volume in their library. His memoir provides a very readable history of the changes that the discipline underwent since 1950 from a person that lived it to the fullest and greatly influenced it. --Plains Anthropologist An excellent history of Plains archaeolgoy. This is compelling reading enhanced by many photographs. Ray Wood's contribution to our general knowledge of the Plains, and specifically those who lived in and explored the Missouri River trench, are unparalleled. --North Dakota History

<p> As someone who lived through the 'teenage' years of Plains archaeology, Wood gives us a useful document of what the field was thinking, in that particular region, at that time. --Robert L. Kelly, University of Wyoming

Author Information

W. Raymond Wood's long career in Great Plains archaeology began in the 1950s. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

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