Awards

Society for American Archaeology, Best Book Award, Popular Writing Category, 2009

City of Edmonton Book Prize, Best Non-Fiction, 2009

Calgary Public Library Foundation Literary Awards, Best Adult Non-Fiction, 2009

Alberta Book Publishing Award, Best Trade Non-Fiction, 2009

Canadian Archaeological Association, Public Communications Award, 2009

The Archaeological Institute of America Felicia A. Holton Award for best popular archaeology book of the year, 2012

“Brink combines years of archaeological experience with ethnohistorical research, modern biological knowledge and master storytelling abilities into a potent investigation of an ancient Great Plains phenomenon―the mass bison hunt.”

Ian Dyck, Curator of Plains Archaeology, Canadian Museum of Civilization

“This is a wonderful book. It is written in a way that captures the character and spirit of the great buffalo kills of the Plains. Brink draws together archaeology, Post-Contact historical information, and First Nations perspectives better than any other author I can think of.”

Douglas Bamforth, Professor of Anthropology, University of Colorado at Boulder

“Chock full of First Nations culture, Imagining Head-Smashed-In is unlike most history books you are likely to read … (Brink’s) knowledge about the area (and) his subject is keen and colourful … Brink has done an outstanding job of bringing the past to the present … [written in a] down-to-earth, matter-of-fact style that highlights the author’s brilliant storytelling ability. An outstanding book with a unique tale to tell.”

Alberta Native News

“An important and engaging book … this is an easy-going, almost conversational narrative, but it’s easy to detect the author’s passion and the solid science … I cannot recommend this volume highly enough to professional archaeologists, to Native Americans, and to anybody interested in a good read about the deep history of North America.”

David Hurst Thomas, Great Plains Research

“[The author] presents a deeply felt and frequently poetic narrative in which he not only gives us a solid introduction to the issues of Northern Plains archaeology, but also brings his experience with this magical site into play.”

Edmonton Journal

“Jack W. Brink, who knows more than anyone else about the hunting of buffalo by natives … tells us most of it, and makes this reader grateful for his ability to handle rich detail. In his hands [the story] becomes absorbing, dramatic and almost urgent.”

Robert Fulford, National Post

“The book is scholarly in the scope of its research, but Brink is a rare combination of scientist and storyteller.”

Legacy Magazine

“This profusely illustrated work takes readers on a journey through a history of Head-Smashed-In … Brink’s great depth of knowledge of the site, its history and context, and its development is evident on every page, as is his intense respect for the First Nations people … written in a highly engaging and personal style for a broad audience. Brink makes what easily could be a very dry treatise a delight to read.”

Canadian Journal of Archaeology