Native American Books

It somehow seems so fitting that I should finish the journey of THE JAGUAR PRINCE on the eve of Good Friday and the day after the Full/Blue Moon of March ....

I didn't say that I read this incredible story, because that is not what happened. I was consumed by the pages, taken inside and held there by a subtle yet tremendous power - one that I can only describe as embodying pure love and truth. So simply and yet so intricately was I woven within those pages that my heart knows another beat, sings to a clearer melody now awakened within my soul.

I was there, at Chichen Itza - some part of me, some aspect of my Being - I'm not sure. It doesn't matter. I have held the essence of truth in my heart for so long and now it pours forth gloriously in opalescent rainbows. THE JAGUAR PRINCE activated this memory and I thank Dr. Whitworth for reminding me of Who I Am.

I first journeyed with the author in NINE FACES OF CHRIST about a year ago .... I went through the initiations with Jesus in the two days that I lived with the book. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and I felt drawn to the soul that could possibly be such a pure vehicle ...... Dr. Whitworth's words are empowered with an energy that reaches out and touches one beyond where one has felt before.

When I finished reading "The Jaguar Prince", a novel by Eugene E. Whitworth, I swore at the Author. I had not eaten for 18 hours and I was famished. My youthful appetite requires attention about every four hours, and clamors growlingly if it is not stoked within six. How could any writer fascinate me so much that my personal hunger could be set aside in order to read and reread his writing?

I was hungry. I was stiff from long sitting. I was sweaty from emotion, and I was starkly in love with a mind that could do all that to me! I had to know more about the author, about the Mayan culture that formed the historic basis of "The Jaguar Prince". How the blazes could any writer make characters so real that they walked right off the pages and into my heart?

So off to food, bed, and then about a month of research on the guy "who done this to me". Finding him was easy. One call to San Francisco and he answered in person. It turns out that he is a more powerful character than those are he writes into his fast-paced novels. He has been on 12 major expeditions to far away places to research the people he writes about. His writing is authentic. He's been there! And how does he make you feel you're there?

I asked him. He answered fast: " Oh, the characters write their own story. I just report on the actions of the characters I have seen in person or in my imagination in the place I'm writing about."

But how does he make you feel that you are the character? Not just make you cry or laugh but cry or laugh as the character? I sat down to ponder this small touch of genius. I love to read, so I went back to the things I had read to compare them with him. My assay is:

He has the depth and wisdom and rhythm in writing of a Shakespeare; he has the swashbuckling sweep of a Dumas; the beauty and poetic grace of a Shelley; the bawdy abandon of a Chaucer; and the risqué insight of a modern pulp love romance. When I challenged him with this he laughed: "I've simplified Shakespeare's plays, I have loved the "Three Musketeers", I've read Shelley aloud on the radio, and written parodies on Chaucer. My one great failure in life is that I have never been able to sell a pulp love story to a modern Romance Magazine."

Yeah, but! Where and how did he get the ability to write so easily? Where did he learn to become a Master Craftsman in writing novels, poetry, drama and Musicals? And when did he have time to study and learn all the metaphysical skills and spiritual wisdom in his book? BOOKS! Plural! He has demonstrated an almost superhuman empowerment in more than 75 works, fact, fiction, poetry, or drama. He has three musicals, and over 108 songs and lyrics. And, Oh, My Gosh, he has written, directed, acted in some 260-radio dramas, and three religious dramas.

I had to conclude that his output was phenomenal. But how was his sales record? It has been good. His books sell slowly but continuously. "Nine Faces of Christ", "Genesis: The Children of Thoth, First God first Man", "The First Christmas Tree" (a talking book and he recorded it!)-all are selling well.

Every one of them is a deep study in metaphysical skills and techniques like a lesson in advanced metaphysical wisdom. No wonder the saints in India introduce him as: "The Saint from San Francisco".

But he is equally valid in his history in "the Jaguar Prince". He explains the tribal history and conflicts that was a major reason why the mysterious Mayan civilization, so advanced in astronomy, medicine and warfare, fell so swiftly to a hand-full of invading Spanish Conquistadors. And you will weep, if you are sensitive to the written word, with the downfall, You will want to be as beautiful as the Cocom Princess, Flower of Jade, or as skilled at warfare as The Jaguar Prince, of the Xiu-and as deeply in love as these two star-crossed are with each other. How they plan to save their true religion from conniving and false priests, how they plan to develop the religion of the little but mad Priest of the invaders because it is so like their inner and secret beliefs, and the secrets of the Shining-One, and the promise of Intala for mankind's future and peace in the world-all this you will be entwined with when you read "The Jaguar Prince".

You will also put down the book with a tear and a sigh at the emotions you have enjoyed, the religious and metaphysical wisdom you have gained, the depth of the Christian Religion you have come to understand. Read "The Jaguar Prince" and you may begin to understand why a Bishop from Canada paid one thousand dollars (American) for the last available copy of the type-script of "The Jaguar Prince" rather than wait for the book to be printed. Now that he can get printed copies, he will not sell the typescript copy at any price

What next, you may wonder. Waiting at the printer are "Tomorrow Dawns Today", a spiritual love story, "Casa Na Balam, House of the Jaguar", a Mayan love/mystery opus, and "The Astral Man", a metaphysical block-buster story so big it took two to write it, co-authored with Lewis Keizer. If you are impatient enough, send a thousand dollars for one of the last typescripts available of either of these books. Read "The Jaguar Prince" and see why this recommendation.

James Lavadour's collection of Landscape pieces in this book are, well just tremendous, the finish of the paper complements the works upon it. I had never seen his work prior to coming across a series landscape at the Heard Museum in Phoenix,Arizona. It stopped me in my tracks, rather knocked the wind out of me so to speak. The light the expanse, the sanctity of The Land just grabs you by the throat in his pieces. The Book pretty much captures that in this collection as best as may be in the smaller scale of things.
Yeah I ought to read this book as well, and I will as well, as for the present i am still looking, and looking. Wow.

A long time ago in Pendleton, I saw James Lavadour drag boxes and boxes of REALLY crappy paintings into my high school class. Yet his face was alight with enthusiam for the work he was doing and I can see now that his vision was providing him with the momentum he needed to reach the point he has. He spoke of sitting in the foothills all day long painting. A couple years later I saw a painting of his, it was dark and mysterious and a tiny trickle of water in it appeared to actually move. I still long for that painting today. His work now is so luminous and beautiful that you find yourself transfixed and caught in the emotional content. I have always looked up to him as an artist, that this is what you can do with your talent if you are willing to work hard and seriously involve yourself with the subject.

A beautifully illustrated book with mesmerizing colours: an abundance of deep indigo, jungle greens, various shades of burnt orange, and of course the requisite fuschia. I very much enjoyed the play of colours in this book. With the cut paper collages and paintings, the fabrics flow with textures, layers and decorous patterns.

The story focuses on Sardul, a clever cat who schemes to have his master Jamil marry a princess. Reminiscent of Puss in Boots, when Jamil sighs and wishes he could marry the princess in the palace, Sardul responds "Give me the best waistcoat and the most beautiful sari we have made, Master, and I will make your dream come true."

History buffs should also note that Jamil's Clever Cat is shrewdly retold from "The Folk Tales of Bengal" originally published by the Rev. Lal Behari Day of Hooghly College, Bengal, in 1883.

A beautifully illustrated book with mesmerizing colours: an abundance of deep indigo, jungle greens, various shades of burnt orange, and of course the requisite fuschia. I very much enjoyed the play of colours in this book. With the cut paper collages and paintings, the fabrics flow eith textures, layers and decorous patterns.

The story focuses on Sardul, a clever cat who schemes to have his master Jamil marry a princess. Reminiscent of Puss in Boots, when Jamil sighs and wishes he could marry the princess in the palace, Sardul responds "Give me the best waistcoat and the most beautiful sari we have made, Master, and I will make your dream come true."

My four year old delighted in reading the book. I gave her some cut fabric and she pretended dressing up in a sari. I highly recommend this marvelously illustrated book.

History buffs shaould also note that Jamil's Clever Cat is shrewdly retold from "The Folk Tales of Bengal" originally published by the Rev. Lal Behari Day of Hooghly College,Bengal, in 1883.

John Ross is one of the most revered Cherokee chiefs... it is impossible to understand the Cherokee Nation and its people without the study of Ross. Author Gary Moulton gives splendid insight into the life and times of one of the most complex and often misunderstood American Indians--Cherokee Chief John Ross. Ross, a 1/8th Cherokee and 7/8th Scotsman, and framer of the Cherokee Tribal government, was well-known for his harsh protest of the controversial 1835 Treaty of New Echota. Moulton does justice by presenting the Ross position and--because of Ross's position--the outcome spawned a bloody-factional Cherokee feud, which continued into the American Civil War. Moulton's insight also includes recollections and the death of Ross in 1866.

Matthew D. Parker

Throughout times of turmoil for his people, Chief John Ross made the best of many a bad situation. From the removal of the Cherokee to Oklahoma to the fracturing of the nation during the Civil War, Ross struggled against internal and external enemies to carve out a bright future for the Cherokee people. Moulton has done a fantastic job with this biography, weaving together a compelling tale of this often misunderstood leader who faced repeated insults from political leaders in Washington and opportunistic members of his own tribe.

I just found this book at my library a few days ago. I am the great grandson of Navajo Oshley. I only met him once and I have only been given small pieces of information about him until I found this great book. This book brings me great pleasure because it allows me to get to know Navajo Oshley is ways it hasn't been possible in the past. For anyone interested in a book that tells a great and profound story about a complex person and the people around him, I suggest reading this book. For Natives, I believe our fading of a culture can be connected through reading a well documented and supported book.

Filled with poignant statements and detailed descriptions of day-to-day life, The Journey Of Navajo Oshley covers the life story of a respected Navajo man of the San Juan River Basin area in southeastern Utah from 1879 to 1988. The style is simple, immediate and vivid. Many details are carefully explained in footnotes, such as the significance of the Navajo's reaction to livestock reduction (p.131). Many black and white photographs help animate the autobiography. Navajo Oshley was a man well respected by both the dominant culture and his own. He was kind, gentle, hard-working, honest, and he always met his responsibilities. He deeply loved his family. He also was evidently blessed with a gift of a sense of humour. This is well described in the final chapters by McPherson on his "Later Life." When Navajo Oshley speaks in his own voice in the narrative, many emotional nuances must be inferred by the reader. It is said that though he never spoke English, he was a gifted comedic sign-language maker. The Journey Of Navajo Oshley is a rich contribution to the genre of Native American autobiography and history of human experiences in the southwestern United States area.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

The Journey Of Tunuri And The Blue Deer: A Huichol Indian Story by James Endredy is a captivating picture book rendition of a tale from the beliefs of the Huichol Indians of mountainous western Mexico. Gorgeous, full-color traditional Huichol yarn drawings created especially for The Journey Of Tunuri And The Blue Deer is enhanced with Maria Hernandez de la Cruz and Casimiro de la Cruz Lopez wonderful illustrations in this outstanding Native American folk tale of children who meet their family in nature (Grandfather Fire, Father Sun, Mother Earth, and Brother Wind) and learn to share the wonders of the planet in harmony. The Journey Of Tunuri And The Blue Deer is a highly recommended addition to school and community library Native American collections for young readers.

The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer is a colorful picture book by James Endredy which tells the enchanting story of Tunuri and his journey with Blue Deer. Tunuri, an inquistive and adventurous Huichol youth, is making a trip to the sacred mountain with the families of his village. A beautiful butterfly catches his attention, and he follows it over many hills and through the forest. Tunuri looks around and realizes that he couldn't see or hear anyone. He is lost.

Something catches Tunuri's eye, and he notices a unusual deer walking toward him which seemed to glow from inside. He knew that this deer was no ordinary animal--the coat was a lovely deep blue color! Magical Blue Deer introduces itself, and tells Tunuri that it knows where his family is. He beckons Tunuri to follow, and wherever the deer stepped, colorful flowers began to grow. Blue Deer leads Tunuri on a journey where he meets Father Sun, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Mother Earth, and Grandfather Fire. Grandfather Fire assures Tunuri that he is never truly alone, even if lost, and gives Tunuri a special task: to share all that he had learned that day with everyone he knows and meets.

The Huichol Indians are among the last of the world's indigenous cultures that have been able to maintain their way of life and spiritual traditions into this new millenium. They live in remote regions of the Sierra Madre Mountains of western Mexico, and although some communities can be reached by car, many of them are still isolated by mountainous terrain. The Huichol have a rich, nature-based spiritual tradition, and The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer is a modern adaptation of one of their traditional stories. Two of the most important elements of the Huichol spiritual tradition is the sacred Blue Deer and the sacred cactus, hikuri, and this book reflects the teaching of how a boy or girl finds his or her task in life by connecting with the powers of nature through their help.

Each page of this captivating book is filled with full-color pictures of yarn drawings made by Maria and Casimiro, two Huichol artists. This unique art form is made by spreading bees wax on a piece of wood, and then placing many colors of yarn in intricate patterns. Each drawing takes many hours to complete, requiring enormous amounts of patience, skill, and artistic vision. Maria and Caismiro teach this special technique to younger members of the Huichol community to keep this artistic tradition alive.

In addition to the inspiring tale and gorgeous yarn art, this book also contains information about the Huichol, their sacred symbols, and how each yarn drawing for the book was made.

This book is great for younger children because the colorful pictures and lyrical prose will hold their attention. The vibrant art work and unfolding mystery of Tunuri's journey will captivate older children, as well. The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer would make a wonderful addition to any library, especially for learning about contemporary indigenous culture and nature-based spirituality. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and found it inspiring and comforting.

This book is a must!! I've read it over and over again until the cover is marked. I know the author personally and her soul truely shines thru her work!!!

What I love most about this book is the ability to interpret and experience it on so many different levels. And like all "keepers," everytime I read it I find a different point of view or see a passage on a new "level."

I also really appreciate the almost "zen" approach, if you will, and the possibility of encompassing your entire being in one simple truthful and loving philosophy. Perspective is everything.

This is definitely a book to keep on hand under your bedside table for spontaneous reference and to fall back on again and again!

True brilliance should never be complicated.

I am hopeful rather than heaped with praise as I don't yet own this book. However, I just spent three glorious days at the Zuni, and among the pleasures of my visit was to see first-hand Duane Dishta 's paintings. If this book by Wright is as erudite and accurate as Dishta's paintings are beautiful, I will save my pennies to buy this book.

I spent long moments looking at each painting, wanting nearly all, and most especially as I was blessed with arriving at the Zuni at the time of ceremony. Dishta's paintings brought to life each and all kachina in a remarkably realistic manner.

Zuni ceremonies are magic; Zuni kachinas live on and in the Zuni.

Barton Wright's expertise is evident with this informative publication on the kachinas of the Zuni. Wright explains the importance of kachinas in Zuni culture, and Zuni artist Duane Dishta's paintings represent the first new information on kachinas in half a century.

This volume comprehensively describes the annual and quadrennial ceremonies, the traditional dances, as well as the healing rituals associated with the Zuni. It makes a nice companion piece to Barton Wright's other well-known work, "Kachina's: A Hopi Artist's Documentary".

If you are a serious collector of Hopi katsinam (kachina dolls) or are seeking accurate illustrations of the nearly 400 katsinam, I would highly recommend this outstanding book as a companion to Barton Wright's foundational work (Kachinas: A Hopi Artist's Documentary). Neil David has been called the "Norman Rockwell of Native America" and rightfully so. His illustrations are some of the best and showing both front and back views of each katsina is much appreciated. Most of the 79 katsinam contained in this book are not in Wright's book and several are extremely rare and seldom, if ever, seen or carved. Start with Wright's book and then add this one. You can't go wrong with either!

This is the most comprehensive book on the Kachina to date. This book is the only one where the illustrator has depicted not only the front of the figure, but also the back and this makes this book a must to own for anyone who studies the Kachina or who is an artist and wants to be completely accurate in the depiction of the figure. The figures are historically and spiritually exact and are certainly meant as a tribute to the figure as a revered being.Truly a fine publication and well worth the cost.

This is really a beautiful book. The pictures and descriptions are lovely and very authentic. I fell in love with so many kachinas in this book and wish I could collect more! I bought this when I knew only a little about kachinas and I learned a great deal about each character and along the way gained a real reverence for the Hopi's spirituality.

An essential for kachina collectors. Author Barton Wright is known as the authority on Hopi kachinas and this book (his major work) shows why. It contains descriptions of 255 kachinas, from the most "popular" to many lesser known and seldom carved dolls. The sketches by Cliff Bahnimptewa are very detailed ... some of the best in print. This book is certainly a "keeper" if you are a collector of this outstanding art of the Hopi. One to add to your library!