Heritage of the Blue HighwaysIn the country traveler's Bible, Blue Highways, William Least Heat Moon takes a journey into his Native American heritage as well as the heart of American culture. As a person of mixed ancestry, Least Heat Moon wishes to research the history and experiences of her past during her travels. He is particularly interested in the Native American element of his heritage because he had no knowledge of his ancestors when he was growing up. By the time he begins his journey, having been a student and scholar of Renaissance literature, Least Heat Moon is able to identify more freely with his past ("Whispers..." 58-60). After completing her exploration, Least Heat Moon rewrote her book manuscript six times and had difficulty finding literary agents and publishers. Eventually, Least Heat Moon changed the title of the book to Blue Highways, and his luck began to change. Over the course of several stops in the book, Least Heat Moon recounts episodes from the life history and experiences of her Native American ancestors. He even changed his name from William Trogdon to his Native American title: William Least Heat Moon. The author explains: “My father is called Chaleur-Lune, my older brother Petit Chaleur-Lune. I, coming last, am therefore the Least” (4). He took this name in order to identify with his ancestors and to honor his Native American parents. However, one critic felt the name change was not authentic saying, "It doesn't come from Osage country but from the Boy Scout brand." believe” (“Whispers…” 58-59). Even though William Least Heat Moon knew very little about his Native American past, he was able to recall a long-forgotten family story about an o...... middle of paper .... .. uh, the Nez Perce were forced out of here in the 1870s and the army sold its horses” (250). Least Heat Moon often recounts how the Native American lifestyle was not harmful to the land and how their lifestyles were quickly overtaken by the dominant lifestyles of white people. today.In Blue Highways, William Least Heat Moon identifies many Native American traditions as well as his own Native American ancestry. Even though Least Heat Moon changed his name to clearly identify with his Native American ancestry, he did not choose it to do so. forget his other lineage. He explains: “I will choose for the heart, for the mind, but never for the blood” (5). the chance for Least Heat Moon to connect with her Native American past.