Native American Books

If you are interested in Native American history and culture, this book (like all of Arden's books) is a great place to provide insight. Wisdom is the key point in this work as well as his others. A fantastic piece and one that will grab your heart, mind, and soul.

I have had the pleasure of knowing both Harvey Arden and Steve Wall for many years now. Their books have touched the heart of many people around the world. This book is one of their best ever! The photos and stories/histories of the Wisdomkeepers within awaken your senses in a profound way. Journey with these two former National Geographic icons and learn with them, through them, and find what you've been looking for - an understanding of what it is to be human, through the journey of these amazing purveyors of hope, wisdom and truth.

She:Kon (Sago)(Hello) To all who read this and hope you are all well. I personally know some of the Wisdom Keepers, Elders whose words are in this book and know them to be of good mind and person. I am Mohawk and Odawa and I come from upstate New York near some of the Reservations and I fully recommend this book for any person who needs to come back to the reality of the living world around them and bring them back to the basic relation between humankind and all the life that is on this earth and surrounds us in the cosmos.

Very informative, Well done and a listening pleasure...Something you can listen to over again and pickup something new each time....

The book is so well done, but the talking book is far better. You enter the jounery with them. You hear the wisdom of the spirtiually elders and long with the creaking of the doors and beatiful pow-wow/drumming in the background. You get a great opportunity to hear the calling of the eagle out of the sky at wounded knee that was prayered out of the sky by Frank Fools Crow. The best part that makes me laugh is when Steve Wall and Harvey Arden go and see one of the elders. Steve doesn't have a chance to go into his spell when the elder tells them I know why you are here you lost your orginial instructations. Also when they go and see charlie Knight and he asks them each time when Ya Leavein.

Mr. Williams recent book describes in excellent, understandable detail what caused the Americans to invade Iroquois territory and the effects of the invasion. His book is an excellent companion to another book I have read titled History of Wyoming, by Charles Miner that was originally written in 1845. Miner interviewed people who survived or were connected to the Wyoming Massacre, while Williams had access to all the archives. The two books fill in details and each makes the other more rewarding to read.

This is a well researched and written book about the Indian wars on the New York and Pennsylvania frontiers during the American Revolution. It tells the stories of the Wyoming Massacre, the Cherry Valley Massacre and the Sullivan campaign providing the details on each but in a very readable format. It also provides some details on other not so well known events on the frontiers like the situation around Pittsburgh and in western Pennsylvania. Consequently, this book fills in a gap in the American Revolution and worth the purchase for any individual interested in reading more about that period.

After two years of fighting in America with limited success, the British felt they were, to coin a popularized modern term, in a bit of a quagmire, and sought a new strategy for their overseas war. The new strategy involved moving the war away from the more populated northeast and into the western frontier. This move would not only disperse the already diminutive American forces, but would also allow Britain to utilize its strongest North American allied force, the Iroquois Indian Confederacy.

Glenn William's book, THE YEAR OF THE HANGMAN: WASHINGTON'S WAR AGAINST THE IROQUOIS chronicles the events that took place in those western frontier skirmishes and battles. The book derives its name for the year, 1777, which had become popularly known at the time as the `year of the hangman' due to the three sevens appearance of gallows when written, though the majority of the events actually occurred in 1779. Though using that title for his book was too good of an opportunity to pass up, William's title is slightly misleading as to the dates of the primary events.

The Iroquois, though primarily located in Western and Central New York, were quite possibly the strongest Indian nation of North America for a span of over 500 years. Their control reached across the Great Lakes into Central Wisconsin and their rise to prominence came at the cost of driving out, and driving to extinction, numerous other Indian tribes of the region. They were, to be sure, a force to be reckoned with.

Both the Americans and the British had heavily lobbied allegiance with the Iroquois, but in the end, the Indians felt their best chance for future lay at the hands of the British and consequently, four of the six main tribes of the Iroquois sided with the British. This error in judgment would prove fatal to the Iroquois nation, when, as a primary result of the Sullivan Expedition, the Iroquois nation would virtually lose all of its military and political power.

While the Sullivan Expedition is the primary focus of William's book, other major events are deftly chronicled as well, such as the Battle of Oriskany and the Wyoming Valley attacks. By 1979, Gen. Washington had successfully developed the army making it capable of taking the fight to the Indians and literally destroying their economical stability and rendering them harmless, not just for the remainder of the revolution, but into the subsequent years of frontier settlement into the traditional Iroquois homelands.

That Washington was able to develop a force the size of the Sullivan Expedition (5000 men) is in and of itself, a testament to Washington's military leadership abilities and, though today, only an afterthought in Revolutionary history, stands as one of the General's greatest military accomplishments.

This is good reading. Glenn William's had put together a readable and valuable presentation of a rather forgotten aspect of America's fight for independence.

Monty Rainey
Junto Society

I read this book because I have Loyalist ancestors who were members of Butler's Rangers and almost certainly participated in the battles described in such detail. My ancestors, William Pickard and his 2 sons James and Benjamin, two privates and a drummer boy, did not get mentioned in the book, but that was not a problem since around 900 people were in Butler's Rangers. They survived to move to Canada after the war and they started large families after leaving their homes in Tryon County.

The book has a nice section on the key personalities that I found useful since there were Butlers on both the Loyalist and Patriot sides. The book would be improved by detailed maps. Unless you can imagine where places like Tioga, Unidilla and Stone Arabia are, you will read the book in front of your computer with Google Maps open as I did. The book would also be improved with contemporary photos of the battle sites; some of these, like the Battle of Newton, were easily found on the web.

I learned much from the book and enjoyed it. It was very interesting to see that the Rangers contained a good number of Black soldiers who lived with the rest of the Rangers and the Indians. It was also interesting to see how both sides courted the Indians and tried to win their support. The book really makes the Revolution look much more like a civil war than people typically think.

The book was well written to the point that the book rich in detail was not lost by the tremendous amout of utilized quotes and reference points. More detail on the life style and pressures (for survival)of settlements along the frontier border would have been benefical.

Angus and the Hidden Fort, by Steven A. Corirossi, was one of my favorite books. It's about [a small]kid who found a secret fort and it actually belonged to someone very famous years ago. To find out who it is, you got to check this book out. I loved how Steven wrote the ending. He added so much detail that I was disappointed when the book was over. This book is one of those books that you wish could never end. I recommend this book to six graders and up because I don't think that little kids would understand. If there are anymore books by Steven Corirossi, I got to read them!

Angus And The Hidden Fort by Steven A. Corirossi is an engaging novel for young readers about Angus McBride a nine-year-old boy, and his best friend Andrew Sills, who when exploring Black Hawk Park, discover the legacy of a one hundred and fifty year old mystery. Angus And The Hidden Fort is a highly recommended, adventurous and exciting tale, and one that opens with an unknown individual fleeing the wrath of two bare-chested Indians and proffers tantalizing hints as to the who and the why of the chase, until the stunning revelation of the end. The debut novel of a six-book series, readers will appreciate author Steven Corirossi's talents as a first class storyteller and will look eagerly forward to the new two titles: Angus And The Mysterious House and Angus And The Forgotten Trails.

Angus and the Hidden Fort is a very funny, mysterious, and exciting book. Although some words in this book I didn't know, by the time I was done with each chapter I had at least one word to add to my vocabulary list. I could read this book over and over and never get tired of reading it.

I was so excited to learn about this new adventure series--set in Central Illinois--that I just had to write and tell the author how grateful I am... it isn't too frequent that I can share with my 5th graders such wonderful, family-friendly stories that practically take place in our own backyard! Both Angus and the Hidden Fort and Angus and the Mysterious House are creatively and well written chapter novels that not only my students enjoyed, but I did as well. We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of Steven's third book, Angus and the Forgotten Trails... hurry up!

The book was a nice adventure story for boys or girls, although more geared to boys because all of the main characters in both time frames were male. Going back and forth in time made for more interesting reading and there was an element of mystery about the characters from the past that made the reader want to keep going to see what really happened and to whom.

The protagonist in the present was an adventuresome boy and I could imagine more stories of his exploits from the author. As an adult, I found the book a little simplistic and fairly predictable; still, I enjoyed the yarn and read it all. I think youngsters could picture themselves involved in this kind of exploration, doing a little detective work and trying to figure out some of the unexplained happenings.

This is a wonderful book. It ebbs and flows with a rhythm of its own. I read both of Velma's books and they are both wonderful.

The book was obviously well cared for, and it was very nicely packaged. There is not one single mark in the book or even one bent page. It's a wonderful book.

Velma Wallis, an Athabaskan Indian woman from Alaska, was set on codifying some of the legends that her mother had told her about their people. Her first endeavor, Two Old Women, became a bestseller. Her second project was the mingling of two legends she had heard. Each of the stories were similar because they focused on "loners" or people who do not fit into the norm of society. Bord Girl and Daagoo are from different bands of the Gwich'in and have one encounter when they are young. The story follows as each go separate ways, Daagoo to the "Land of the Sun", and Bird Girl as she is kidnapped and enslaved by an enemy tribe. Their stories mirror each others through their struggles for independence, and the great tragedies they endure.

A wonderful story from which I learned a great deal about the Native Alaskan people... Beautifully written.

We follow the life's of Bird Girl and Daagoo. Both try to break with tradition and do what they want, on their own, without being controlled by their family or tribes. They try to run away from the roles that their people try to force onto them. In the end they find out that individualism and being their own person is just wrong.
Women should marry who their parents want them to, have babies and work about the camp till they die from old age. And Men should become hunters, working day and night, to keep the people in food and furs, then die an early death. Unless they are tossed out because nobody needs them anymore.
In other words, everything has a price, even being your own person.

Velma Wallis, an Athabaskan Indian woman from Alaska, was set on codifying some of the legends that her mother had told her about their people. Her first endeavor, Two Old Women, became a bestseller. Her second project was the mingling of two legends she had heard throughout her childhood. Each of the stories were similar because they focused on "loners" or people who do not fit into the norm of society.

Bird Girl and Daagoo are from different bands of the Gwich'in tribe and have one chance meeting when they are young. The story follows as each go separate ways, Daagoo to the "Land of the Sun", and Bird Girl as she is kidnapped and enslaved by an enemy tribe. Their stories mirror each others through their struggles for independence, and the great tragedies they endure.

A wonderful story from which I learned a great deal about the Native Alaskan people... Beautifully written story.

Adrian Louis' "Bone and Juice" is a wonderful book of poems with a strong and unique voice. Louis' blunt eloquence is refreshing. The main reason why this book is unique to me is how Louis uses his Native American heritage and its effect on his life to produce a body of poems that the reader can feel is the honest truth. He allows the reader to relate to him. Louis' poems are not like the poems you read that are mere quirky observations of what is going on around you. His poems are about living, changing, and coping. They are formed from sincere reflections and lucid thoughts true to the moment of conception. What is even greater about Louis is that he can comfortably and skillfully add humor and sarcasm to serious issues. And therefore the reader can not only be inspired by the poems themselves but also by the hope and perseverance of his writing style.
Poems such as "Juice" and "The Promise" are great examples of Louis' strength as a poet and as a person. I think that these are the types of poems that can cut to a person's heart making the reader exclaim "wow" in amazement at witnessing Louis' understanding of himself. Although many people cannot even begin to empathize with what it means to be part of the minority in America, let alone being part of a culture that has been nearly exterminated by colonization throughout the centuries, Love can be generally understood by most people. And the depth and loyalty that Louis shows in his Colleen poems is quite admirable and powerful.
Louis, while being skilled enough to let the reader understand him, also brings us to a world that is most likely unknown to some people particularly readers of poetry.

For those people interested in great poetry, Adrian Louis's, "Bone and Juice" will satiate the biggest poetry fanatic. In this collection of works, Louis fuses his rhythm and bluntness with a unique humor to express the loss of spirituality in the Native American community. More than his words, his boldness in portraying the sadness that he feels at his world will have readers mesmerized.

I enjoyed Bones & Juice because Mr. Louis gives some insight to life of the Native American. His insight is a refreshing example of a person who has mastered his craft with care,and the tenacity of a true Warrior. A good read that will touch your soul.

Poetry lovers need this book by Adrian C. Louis. It's thoughtful, at times funny, and brilliantly constructed. Louis is a master of image and isn't afraid to tackle a variety of issues from age, to insanity, to culture, to God. He juxtaposes the historical tragedy of the Native American with personal tragedy, particularly his relationship with Colleen. I read this book in an hour and was upset to find that I didn't have more to read. All in all, a wonderful book.

Without a doubt, Adrian C. Louis is one of the best modern poets alive. His poems draw upon a vast range of inspirations, including his heritage and various experiences with the opposite sex. Additionally, his imagery and phrasing don't try to show things in a fluffy fantasy world. Everything he writes is straight forward and never leaves you trying to guess at a hidden meaning. Fans of poetry should not be without this book, even if the word Cowturdville worries you.

I bought this book without having read much of it first. I know practicaly nothing about Native American studies or shamanism, it's not my calling or interest. Anyways, I bought this one anyway and am sorta confused. Like I said, I know hardly anything at all about Native American culture but I would assume they didnt go out have get pink, blue, yellow, purple, red, oarnge and indigo candles for their work. Almost every working in the book calls for all these rainbow things. I wonder if this is authentic? I am going to borrow from another reviewer I saw a while ago and say This book is probably good for the "bookstore shaman" . Thats about all I can say.

Native American shaman Moondance's visions form the foundation of a guide which considers how to use shaman wisdom for spiritual enlightenment. How to make and work with medicine blankets and bundles and how to create magic tools and perform sacred ceremonies are only a few of the topics covered in this guide.

I have heard peopel speak of the author not bing an indian. She is now and she is Native mixed. I know cause I have been a student for many years of hers. If you read the writings youwill see the power in the truth she tells. In bone medicine you will learn the ways of a hollow bone and these ways are sacred. Good work, Great book. I understand the human more.

I have read a lot of these kind of books and this is good work. I have read them all and like the way the books read. The truth is clear that the author is stating her own vision and the vision has touched her life. I support these books by Wolf Moondance 100%. Thank you. Jim Jackson-Okla

When I read Bone Medicine I was looking for something to guide the loss in my spiritual life. I did not ever in 35 years understand the purpose of my life or the reason for the human body. After the work I have done through the ceremonies in this book I understand and respect my physical life. I would love for anyone to read this book because it is Great. I am a mixed blood and can say I have found a true Elder! Thanks... Jerri Storm-K.C

I'm hooked on these Allan Eckert books. The Conquerors has a multitude of characters to follow in this work. All of their true experiences are nail biting. I find myself following their paths by searching all of the maps that are included in the book. I plan on reading all 6 of his 600 plus page novels.

This is one of the better books in the Eckert series. I'd strongly recommend it for any history fan, and would definately encourage non-history fans to read this or any of Eckert's other books (Dark and Bloody River, Frontiersmen, Tecumseh).

This series is outstanding. These books are filled with actual historical dates, events, letters and people but with amazing readilbiity. I am not a huge history buff but these books pull you into the characters and their lives. I learned more fun history about this time through these books than while in school.

As always, I was more than satisfied with the delivery, the condition of the book and the timeliness. You are to be congratulated for your fine efforts.
Keep up the good works.....

Allan Eckert has a way of writing historical books that will make even someone that is not a history buff love history. I try and try to read the historical reference books but I find them to be very uneventful and boring. Allan Eckert can turn that into a thrilling novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat without losing its historical accuracy. All the books in this series are great. The Conquerors is very, very interesting.

This book is about a half-white, half-Acoma boy who has to visit his grandpa during the summer. His grand pa lives in a Native American village that sits on top a mountain. Kendall tries to fit in, but the native people are a litter wiry of him because of his white dad. Kendall finds out that his constant need to run is because of magic from his Acoma blood. There is an enchanted mountain that Kendall runs to every day in the desert. At first Kendall does not want to go to visit his grandfather, he wants to go on a road trip with his dad and brother, but towards the end he likes being there and does not want to leave. In the end of the book, his grandfather visits a sacred mountain when he does not come home Kendall runs into the desert to find him. His cousin has to go looking for him before his grandfather dies. I really liked this book because the author put some into detail, you could almost believe you were there. This book was great because the setting was so cool and the plot was one of a kind.

Little has a unique ability to draw the reader right into the setting, the character and the emotion of the story. I could see the beautiful New Mexico landscape. I could feel Kendall's worries and heartache. This story is both informative and moving - and shows deep respect for the culture of the Acoma.

This book just WON the SOUTHWEST BOOK AWARD! I am so glad ENCHANTED RUNNER won this recognition because it truly deserves it. This book is very emotionally moving, as well as having exciting, dangerous action. The setting is stunning and I loved reading about the Snake Clan and the powerful, magical runners. What a special book! I'm going to use this book in my classroom. I've never read anything else quite like it.

Enchanted Runner is definitely enchanting. Kimberley Griffiths Little sweeps readers into her story's world; one that is a thoughtful mixture of past and present. Ditto with her characters. From the beginning, I felt Kendall's magic as if I were running beside him as he confronted wild horses, rattlesnakes, heartbreak, and ancient mysteries. I especially enjoyed the contrast between Kendall and Trina, and her curiosity about his secret ceremonies. Kendall's journey was a satisfying one. I hope a sequel is on its way because I'd like to run with him again.

I'm 41-years-old and normally would not read a book targeted for the 9 to 12-year-old age group. But after reading Ms. Liitle's first book, BREAKAWAY, there was no way I'd pass up her second book. And I wasn't disappointed. ENCHANTED RUNNER was awesome! The research that went into the story is probably more than found in most adult novels. I was blown away by what I learned about the Acoma Culture and the Snake Clan. Visiting Sky City is now on my life's list of things to do. Parents: Do yourselves a favor. Buy this book. Read it, then share it with your kids. Ms Little: Thank you for pouring your soul into the story. I look forward to your next effort and hope there is a sequel to ENCHANTED RUNNER!

I wanted something thorough and informative about Native American Tribes. I also wanted something clear and concise, but not so bogged down with detail that it was a chore to weed through.
This encyclopedia gave me what I wanted and more. I'm writing a fictional novel with a Native American character and needed help in knowing him and his background. I was impressed with how easy it was to look up information by tribe and get interesting tidbits, that if I so desired, I could research further.
This is definitely a writer's dream. I feel confident writing about a character from any tribe with this book in my collection.

Excellent. As a Englishman, in my middle 60s, interested in native American history since I was a child, this book is very informative.

I had read about most of these tribes in the past in web searches and other references.
That is why I fault the illustrations ( the stone tools look noting like their actual pictures) and that there isn't a better coverage of tool, housing and food sources. The language groups are well covered and their relationship are made pretty clear.
I was looking for my local California Indians that are in San Diego County.
They are noticeably absent in this coverage or disguised pretty well.
Since most of this information is in my old 1950's World Book
encyclopedia under different sections, I was hoping for a little more information here. I have to admit that it is a good reference source.

Now in a newly updated and expanded third edition, "Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes" is a compilation of facts for more than two hundred Native American tribes in North America, including prehistoric peoples on the North American continent as well as all of the identifiable Native American civilizations on the continent. Organized alphabetically by tribe or group, there is at least one representative Native American tribe from each language family or language isolate for each culture area covered. From locations, migrations, contact with non-Indians, wars, customs, housing, tools, clothing, art, rituals, diet, and cultural contributions, "Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes" has special relevance for contemporary tribal issues and concerns. "Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes" is a critically important, superbly presented, essential and core addition to professional, academic, and community library Native American Studies reference collections.

I am a fifty seven year old retired elementary teacher...but
my lifelong interest has been the Plains Indian Culture.
I just asked my hubby to get me this book for Christmas after
spending about ten minutes looking at it in Barnes and Noble
yesterday.
Good sized print, the info is arranged as user friendly.
I saw tribes mentioned in there that have been omitted from other
books about North American Tribes. A comprehensive guide.
Many drawings....colored illustrations.
My only negative -----I wanted to see a few more maps ...regional
maps of the tribes.
ALso...at the store ...I was looking at a SOFTCOVER edition....not
a hardcover one. (I would not pay 75 dollars for hardcover when
it is available in softcover. )

What's most fun about this book is that even if you only wind up cooking a handful of recipes (like me), it's still a lot of fun to read. Some of the recipes are too involved for a neophyte like me but southwestern cooking (i.e., using all the spices native to that area) is clearly one of the most underrated culinary experiences around. A good chile paste or even chile powder has a flavor that can't be matched by the "usual culprits" - oregano, thyme, sage, etc.

So, yes, this book is a great addition to the kitchen for several reasons, even if you're an amateur.

My two cents.....

I ordered 150 of these magnificent cookbooks for a large group of corporate meeting attendees and everyone loved them! I have never received more compliments on a meeting attendee gift. Ms. Frank does an incredible job of enlightening her readers on the cultures and culinary expertise of Native Americans. The photographs are so remarkable that you feel her dish sitting right in front of you. Not only did our group receive this most extraordinary cookbook, but Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater came to our event in Santa Fe and personalized every single cookbook for all 150 people! Ms. Frank was gracious enough to give personal attention to every individual and share stories of the successes of her cookbook. I could never have asked for a more successful event, thanks to the magnificent work of a culinary genius! Thank you Lois!

From the beautiful cover to the very last page, the vibrant and enticing photographs lure you into cooking each and every delicious recipe. Lois Ellen Frank has made a current masterpiece of an ancient tradition native to our continent. This is truly a fantastic cookbook.

Beautiful in every way. Outstanding and much appreciated photos. Wonderful commentary. Authentic recipes.

The author should be very proud of this fine accomplishment and this book should be in every public library. In fact, I may send a copy to a politician to remind him that we all immigrated here from someone else- except the Native Americans. They should be the only ones who have the right to decide our immigration policy.

This book is practical and beautiful and takes a totally modern approach to historic cooking. One of the finest cookbooks ever published and one of the most beautifully printed books ever done. It is no wonder it got a James Beard award. It is a treasure to own and is a delgihtful gift. I live in the Southwest, I am a cook, and I love this book.