Tribal historian Richard Green describes how, early on, he dove into Gibson's well-regarded book, "The Chickasaws," but soon discovered that it ends with the 20th century – which required new person-to-person research. He returned to the book later, admiring Gibson's skills in writing and research – yet was struck by the prevailing views of academic historians and archaeologists of the who saw little need for talking with Chickasaw tribal members. It soon started to change.