American Indian Occupation of Alcatraz Island

Troy R. Johnson is a professor of history and American Indian studies at California State University, Long Beach. He is the author and editor of several books, including Red Power: The American Indians' Fight for Freedom (available in a Bison Books edition) and Contemporary Native American Political Issues.

"The book provides illuminating, behind-the-scenes looks at Alcatraz's occupiers, the dreams that united them and realities that splintered them; the reaction of the Bay Area Native American community; and the White House efforts to solve a public relations dilemma. Included is an extensive summary of other Native American actions that grew out of the Alcatraz experience."—Publishers Weekly "This important study of late-20th-century Indian issues is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students, and general readers."—Choice "Johnson presents a fine narrative that is both fresh and authoritative."—American Indian Quarterly "Johnson provides an interesting and comprehensive account of the social and political context for the occupation, of the motivations and political aspirations of the occupiers, of daily life on Alcatraz during the occupation, of the U.S. government's strategy to end the occupation, and the reasons for the eventual end of the occupation."—Professional Geographer

• AcknowledgmentsForeword, by Donald L. FixicoIntroduction1. The Relocation Program, Urban Indians, and Alcatraz2. Urban Indian Unrest and the 1964 Occupation of Alcatraz3. Social Movements of the 1960s and Indian Leadership4. "We Hold the Rock!": The Indian Occupation5. The Occupation: Logistics and Support6. Voices from Alcatraz7. Trouble on Alcatraz8. Government Responses9. Removal from AlcatrazConclusion: Alcatraz: Catalyst for ChangeAfterwordAppendix: Summary of Major OccupationsBibliographyIndex