By placing the anishinaabeg at the center of early american history mcdonnell also reframes the often mislabeled french and indian war as the product of indigenous decision making rather than as a european struggle for control of the great lakes according to mcdonnell french and british officials were forced to react to indigenous pressures rather than the other way around he convincingly . Dr michael mcdonnells masters of empire great lakes indians and the making of america is a must read by all american history enthusiasts whether in academia or not his explanation of the importance of the upper great lakes woodland indian canoe culture in the development of the north american continent is stunning it is an extremely important fact unexplored by earlier historians michilimackinac and mackinac island at one time were the centers of the north american continents . In masters of empire the historian michael mcdonnell reveals the pivotal role played by the native peoples of the great lakes in the history of north america though less well known than the. Masters of empire great lakes indians and the making of america by michael a mcdonnell 382 rating details 142 ratings 43 reviews in masters of empire the historian michael a mcdonnell reveals the pivotal role played by the native peoples of the great lakes in the history of north america