What if we wrote a history of the conflict between indigenous peoples and between indigenous peoples and colonizers in this continent the way we write European histories?
Meaning we look at it as a contest between powers and discuss where and how the conflict happened and the ways in which culture plays a role and we take seriously the idea that these are nations who are fighting each other rather than flattening any portrayal. Which is not to say that Hämäläinen is both-sides-ing the story. It’s precisely the objectivity and historical analysis that gives weight to his observations about specific acts of cruelty and treachery on the part of the Europeans (and eventually Americans) and his conclusions about the enduring indigenous character of the continent. 
Also, this was basically like listening to a textbook and I definitely would have gotten more out of it if I’d read it in short chunks, but also I wasn’t reading for research but for my own learning.