Native American Books

Vennum's work covers a neglected aspect of North American history: the role of lacrosse in native culture. By examining varieties of the game played across the continent, Vennum demonstrates that it was more than just a sport. Lacrosse provided entertainment, served as a substitute for armed conflict (and sometimes was a precursor to it), and was part of native spirituality. Particularly fascinating is Vennum's ability to weave the sporting aspects of the game with the sociological. Also important is his investigation of how the majority culture has taken this game and turned into something completely different: with standardized plastic sticks and a for-profit motive for playing. By taking the story all the way to the present, the author reveals that to native Americans the game still means much more, although many nations no longer even know they once enjoyed playing the "fastest game on two feet." My only complaint, as a Canadian, is that Vennum appears not to know geography quite well, and he consistently refers to Canadian sites incorrectly. But, overall, this a wonderful book

I can't say enough good things about this book! I picked it up while at a book sale and immediately had to have it. It's full of photographs of American Indian teams and tells you the full story of Lacrosse/baggataway and you get so much more--it's an in-depth look at how it affected the peoples and tidbits about their daily lives. Interspersed between each chapter are short 'stories' about lacrosse events.

This is a great book, and a wealth of information. It's about more than just lacrosse. Don't hesitate to get this!

This is an excellent resource in federal Indian law. It is updated annually via cumulative pocket-parts and is a thorough review of the subject. It is a great place to begin research in Indian law because it lays out the blackletter and has copious citations to the major (and sometimes less major) cases on the subject. For me, if I could have only one book on the subject, this would be it.

Federal Indian law is a quagmire that demands useful navigational tools. In the past, Felix Cohen's "Handbook of Federal Indian Law" (particularly the 1942 ed.) was used by everyone - including Supreme Court Justices - to better understand this jurisprudence. This field of law, however, has evolved in many ways in the intervening twenty years and the "American Indian Law Deskbook" permits readers to learn about these changes in the responsibilities and exposures of the states, tribes, and federal government. Indeed, this is the second edition, and the foreword indicates that even the five-year period between editions had been eventful. The overall intent of this publication is to present relevant legal history to sustain an understanding of Indian law today.

The editors have included Tables of Cases (32 pp.), and of Statutes and Codes (9 pp.), as well as a bibliography (10 pp.). One important note must be added. Yearly supplements are a crucial part of the business of legal research, and the editors of the "American Indian Law Deskbook" realized this when they published the first edition in 1993. This practice has continued, and stand-alone yearly supplements are available for both 1999 and 2000 that update the current edition.

"American Indian Law Deskbook" augments Cohen's "Handbook." It should be considered as a core holding for those with a desire and/or a need to learn more about current federal Indian law.

this book gives great information for anyone interested in learning more about the history of native american tribes and the double standard our legal and legislative systems have caused.

The book was recived in excellent condition and in a very timely manner.

Dr. Kaltreider has captured the essence of the dilemma facing the modern technological society of the West and increasingly of developing countries: the rape and disregard for the earth and for the interconnectedness of all life on the planet. The juxtaposition of the life led by Native Americans before the European conquest with the immense problems we face in our societies, our industries, our building ecological disaster is the fabric of many Native American prophecies which fortell a time of decision or a descent into complete destruction of humankind and much of the rest of the planet. The conversations with Chasing Deer do reveal a clear way to avoid the dire predictions as revealed in many Native American tribal legends, but that way requires us to acknowledge that we are in desperate straits and to embrace change in the direction of the life led by the first Americans, characterized by respect for all our relations on the planet, both animate and inanimate. For there is hope if, as Chasing Deer says, if we take as our motto "Mitakue Oyasin"--we are all related.

Brilliant, insightful, passionate, and filled with detail and meaning...Kurt's book will touch your heart and soul. Highly recommended!

Roger L. Nichols provides a well-written summary of American Indians in US History from 1500 to present, while including a thoughtful discussion on the debates surrounding American Indian origins. This text best serves a novice to the topic, or a quick reference to those seeking chronological confirmation. This comprehensive monograph reflects current trends in the field and so serves as an important refresher to previous attempts by other great scholars.

A single volume narrative history, American Indians In U.S. History by Roger L. Nichols (Professor of History, University of Arizona) is the 248 volume in the simply outstanding University of Oklahoma Press "The Civilization of the Amerian Indian" series. Intended as a brief survey for students and general readers, American Indians In U.S. History explores the stories of a wide variety of tribes, as well as the central issues faced by tribal leaders during each era. Tracing the American Indian struggle for sovereignty and resistance from assimilation into a cultural melting pot, American Indians In U.S. History is an eye-opening introduction to the endurance and legacies of America's first settlers.

Very well written with excellent detail. Great story for lovers of the old west.

This is a different and interesting perspective of the Old West. Good Story and worth the read

This book has tons of color and B&W pictures and some of the best pictures of the southwest ruins you are ever going to find. It also has numerous site maps illustrating the ruins and their vicinity. The pictures are not just your everyday tourbook photos. They are spectacular. The author mixes numerous aerial shots that show you overviews of the sites and mixes in a generous amount of detail shots to help you see what the sites look like when you are there. There are also sketches and conceptual drawings which tell about the history. Just because there are a lot of photos, do not think the text is lacking. The book has all you would ever need to know about the sites including history, archeological finds etc. It accomplishes this amazingly enough without boring the reader. The most important thing about this book is that it is comprehensive. An example is its description of Mesa Verde park which is 44 pages of text and pictures. The section includes a detailed description of the stops you can make off ruins road as well as maps and pictures of sites you can't even access. Overall, this is the book you want to have when you plan your trip and the one you want on your coffee table to show your friends and family where you have been. A must have for anyone fascinated by the Anasazi culture.

I have found this to be an excellent resource for finding sites of interest and a faithfull companion for exploring the site once I have arrived. The information provides a nice addition to any anasazi library

*RECOMMENDED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE **CHOSEN BY SOUTHWEST PARKS & MONUMENTS ASSOC. ***SELECTED BY SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ****DISTRIBUTED BY MUSEUM OF NEW MEXICO, MUSEUM OF INDIAN ARTS & CULTURES, MUSEUM OF NORTHERN ARIZONA, CHACO CANYON, BANDOLIER, PECOS, HUBBELS TRADING POST, LA FONDA HOTEL, ALBUQUERQUE AIRPORT & OTHER LOCATIONS.

If you're planning to travel through the American Southwest, Ancient Ancestors will guide you through 33 National Park sites. This book is unique in offering what Indian elders say about these places based on oral history tradition. Author Dr. Gregory Schaaf has served as tribal historian for over 15 years. Supported by scientific data, Ancient Ancestors offers an educational, yet fun way, to learn about Indian country in the American Southwest. Be dazzled by the color illustrations of award winning photographer Lewis Kemper. A great book for a great price.

When I was young I instinctively knew the animals around me. I did not feel a separation between them and myself. It was often as if I was in their skin. I have never been hurt by an animal but I have felt that there was more to know, to feel and to communicate than I was able to as an adult. My childhood's wisdom somewhat vanished as I gave up the Sacred View for the adult view of life. I have everything from crows to cougars and a number of things in between where I live. I have found Animal Medicine to be an outstanding way to learn the ins and outs of animal lessons. Many of us would wish to be able to observe the creatures and learn directly from them, but for many, this is no longer possible. This three tape set provides an opportunity to connect with the animal and the teaching that you need. As brief as each topic is, this is by NO MEANS an abridged edition. (I called Sound's True to verify this.) Jamie Sams executes a teacher's wisdom by presenting what the student needs to begin their understanding and then sets them free to connect on their own. She does not try to include every nuiance of each animal. Instead she presents the primary information and any other tidbits she feels will add to the whole. The rest is up to the student to discover, and for the student to grow through. This is not something that you zip through. That's probably why these are tapes and not a book. You need to listen, quietly,carefully and over several periods of time to absorb all you might feel you need. Of course, it's alphabetical so you can just go to the creature you need at any time. But, gaining the whole lesson will take time and will give you additional gifts. The gift of silence, the gift of listening and the gift of paying attention. In turn you may well receive your greatest gift; your "SELF."

This is a set of 3 cassette tapes that she has done an incredible job with. They are very focused on all aspects, she even includes abalone medicine. Highly recommended.

I'd like to add a note or two to the remarks by the previous reviewer: this exemplary work
A) reproduces the original Tlaxcalteca Nahuatl text, in modern typescript but following the manuscript as closely as possible,
B) provides a transcription of that text (rather than a modern Nahuatl version) with vowel length and saltillo indicated (the latter by the roman letter "h", following the scholars Lockhart and Karttunen), and
C) an English translation.
Most of the extensive notes deal with manuscript issues (scribal errors, etc), but some of them address linguistic issues as such.
All aside from its great value for anyone interested in the Spanish invasion of the Valley of Mexico and the lore of the cultures of that region (in this case from a perspective a bit different than the usual material descending from Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) itself), this work provides learners of Nahuatl with a very accessible annotated text for productive study.

Not written until about 1600, after the Spanish conquest of Mexico by the defeat of the Aztecs, this text in the Nahuatl language of the Tlaxcalteca people covering a large part of Mexico north of the Aztec lands in central Mexico has the style and content of an ancient tribal document, like Middle East creation myths. The Tlaxcalteca allied with Cortes to help conquer the Aztecs, their longtime enemies who never conquered them. Myths, history, heroes, royalty, wanderings, wars, and settlements are all mixed together. Though it is rich and significant in content, "Anomino Mexicano" is not too long. This first English translation of the full text at the Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris is three columns per page from pages 7 to 65 in the original, classical, Nahuatl, modern Nahuatl, and English with illustrations taking up some of these pages. Notes run from pages 66 to 101, with a one-page Bibliography of about 30 references before the Index. The complete "Anonimo Mexicano" is a welcome addition to world literature as another vibrant epic on the origins, history, and lore of an ancient people.