Indigenous Kinship, Colonial Texts, and the Contested Space of Early New England by Marie Balsley Taylor (review).

The main focus of the text is Marie Balsley Taylor's book, *Indigenous Kinship, Colonial Texts, and the Contested Space of Early New England*, which explores the interconnections between Indigenous kinship, diplomacy, and early English colonial writings. The author examines Puritan texts from the 1640s to the 1670s, highlighting the significant roles Indigenous leaders played in shaping these narratives and the complexities of their relationships with English settlers. Through detailed analyses of specific figures such as Pequot sachem Wequash and Massachusett sachem Cutshamekin, the book reveals how conversion and political negotiations were intertwined, challenging traditional views of Indigenous peoples as mere subjects of colonial narratives. Ultimately, Balsley Taylor's work emphasizes the importance of recognizing Indigenous agency and relationality in understanding early American literature and history. [Extracted from the article]