In the process of asking what historical archaeology is, Little (National Park Service) succeeds in communicating the diversity of scholarship within the discipline while examining the contributions historical archaeologists have made to the understanding of certain historical themes. Little also demonstrates that searching for the stories of "all people," not just the powerful, is one of archaeology's great contributions. Indeed, at the book's core is the way that "material evidence challenges, corrects, or refines what we think we know about the past." Consequently, this international collection of stories stressing the importance of archaeology as an independent test of history is a great contribution to the field, and will be particularly eye-opening for those who see archaeology as simply reinforcing the historical record. Particularly enjoyable is the way that Little quickly and effectively provides the background to many developments and developing issues within historical archaeology, merging case studies and themes across geographic boundaries in the process. Written in an approachable, exceptionally readable first-person style with minimal references and short chapters, this book is suitable for a diverse audience, including those with the shortest attention spans. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. N. T. Richards East Carolina University