Native American Books

I wasn't sure that I would like this book when I purchased it from Amazon. At the time, there was only one little review on it and some brief publication information. Nevertheless, I took the risk and added it to my cart! AND I am so glad that I did! :) The Look West Series: Kokopelli by Lawrence W. Cheek proves to be a nice little treasure worth reading because it presents some interesting theories about and thought-provoking images on the timeless icon. It also makes the reader hungry for more in-depth Kokopelli studies--beyond the scope of this introductory book.

The book is a great size for reading and examination. The fonts / texts are of a suitable size and clarity, which helps eyeglass wearers. Many pages contain lovely color images depicting various versions of Kokopelli. Some of the notable images are...

Kokopelli Orchestra on Escarpment Near Santa Fe (Page 2) // This is a fun photograph depicting the merry flute-playing figure as he often appears in rock art. In this particular image, a group of Kokopellis are happily playing their flutes, apparently on their way to a large crevice in the rock.

Kokopelli and various other images at Petrified Forest National Park (Page 11) // The rocks appear to be some sort of story captured in stone...a rigid tapestry of images to decipher.

A Contemporary Navajo weaving from Visitors Center, Monument Valley Tribal Park, Utah (Page 16) // This is a wonderful illustration of how the flute-player has captured the modern imagination. The rich earth tones are comforting and warm.

Canyon de Chelly Rock Art (Page 39) // Strange Twin Flute-Players and animal like characters decorate an ancient rock.

To give potential readers a glimpse at what they may expect from this book, I include the following information. The book's jacket offers an intriguing (and amusing!) question to open this discussion on the Kokopelli mystery:

"Just who was this prehistoric Pied Piper? About 1500 years ago [pre-Columbian period], the hunchbacked flute-playing figure we call Kokopelli first appeared in North American rock art. Today he decorates everything from jewelry to potholders. Whether originally he was a deity, a trickster, a wandering Casanova, a fertility symbol, or just a traveling salesman carrying goods on his back, there's no doubt he got around. Kokopelli shows up in rock and ceramic art all across the Southwest--even as north as the Canadian Rockies. Stories of insect-like, fun-loving flute players abound in Pueblo traditions. He seems to have served many cultures, including our own. One thing is clear, however: much of what we think we know about the humpbacked figure known today as "Kokopelli" is based on a modern misunderstanding" (Quoted from book jacket, first flap).

The author sets out to demonstrate that misunderstanding in well-selected slices of research and engaging photographs.

One of the most illuminating parts of the book is the author's presentation of and commentary on Kokopelli theories that suggests that, if the ancient flute player had been a real person, he may have suffered from a painful condition called Pott's disease, which causes deformities and other physical problems--"features" that can be observed in petroglyphs.

To offer more cultural flavor, the book includes also three Southwestern folktales:

Coyote and The Flute Player
Beauty and the Bug
Man Crazy

NOTE: The book contains adult-oriented theme and would not be suitable for young children.

Finally a book for adults that deals with this ancient 'American folk character'. Cheek presents archaeological theories as to who or what this mythic figure may be. I enjoyed it a lot.

The illustrations are wonderful. I am taking my 9-year-old grand daughter to Arizona and New Mexico for vacation. I am not Native American, but was born in New Mexico. I want Sky to learn about the ways of the Native American and the beauty of that area. This will be a great read on our trip.

Wonderfully illustrated by Michelle Tsosie Sisneros, Kokopelli's Gift is a charming and highly recommended fable by Kathleen Bryant about a famous female figure of Native American Pueblo lore known as Kokopelli the Flute Player. The extraordinary color paintings enhance the simple yet effective narrative to bring this engaging story to life for young readers age 5 to 10.

My son wanted a book on eskimos...this was the best find I could have hoped for as Kumak and his village spend their day fishing and helping one another as only a fishing village can do. My son celebrates the victory as he jumps up and down on the final page yelling, "Hurray for Kumak!" We even had to go out and buy fishing poles so he could demonstrate just how exactly the amazing fishing stick twitches "this way" and "that way." A read-aloud that is great fun and teaches children about families, communities and other parts of our globe.

On a spring day in the Alaskan Arctic, Kumak announces "Good day for fish" and packs his family, along with Uncle Aglu's "amazing hooking stick" into their dogsled for a day of ice fishing on the nearby lake. This Iñupiat variant of the traditional tale of the enormous turnip demonstrates that it takes a village to catch a fish. An endnote explains Bania's inspiration for her tall tale.

Bania's watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations, depicting the icy Arctic setting, provide readers with authentic details of the Iñupiat culture and show the joyfulness of the characters.

Two-year-olds through nine-year-olds enjoyed this book and were captivated by Kumak. They appreciated the dialogue and repetition of numerous phrases. The ending especially intrigued the children.

Vous passerez des heures à ficeler les figures proposées. Ce gros livre est le "must" des jeux de ficelle. Ce livre a environ 110 jeux de ficelle et 10 tours de ficelle. Les explications et les illustrations sont très claires. C'est un livre pour intermédiaires et avancés.

You'll spend hours to make the figures offered.
This big book is a must for all string figures's lovers.
This book have about 110 string games and 10 tricks.
The explanations and illustrations are clears.
The book is for intermediates and advanced.
Enjoy!

I read this book when I was 8, and 30 years after I look it for my sons. It's a fascinating and deep story where they will learn to take care our world. And maybe, 30 years after today, they will look it for my grandsons...

Its about a tribe of indians and a young girl who live on an ialand,and animals who live in the sea.And also about people who hunt and catch these animals to live and survive.

Kaqchikel is one of the main languages in the Mayan family, and although it doesn't have as high a profile as Yukatek (Yucatec) or K'iche' (Quiche), it is one of the most widely known languages in the family. This textbook provides a superb, practical introduction to the language, and one of the best introductions available for any of the indigenous languages of the Americas.

The first half of the book consists of a series of well-illustrated lessons covering the basics of the language. There are plenty of exercises, but unfortunately no tapes. (However, there are some short online video files at ekaq.stonecenter.tulane.edu.) These are followed by a large grammatical section, and finally a sizeable glossary. The book uses a modern orthography, and also includes much valuable cultural information.

There are relatively few good resources on Mayan languages in English, and high-quality educational materials on Mayan languages, or any Native American languages are, sadly, quite rare. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in the Mayan language family.

I have read this book and it is a very didatical method to learn a not common language from mesoamerica. The book offers a very good condition to understand and to learn this mayan language, with good vocabulary and basic grammar well employed and well adaptated to colloquial situations.

LaDonna Harris: A Comanche Life - proves to be an extraordinary quasi-autobiographical story - in many respects, this book pays tribute to the time-honored oral traditions of Native people. Harris works with Stockel and shares her story in a compassionate and compelling manner.

She amply demonstrates that you can become a global citizen by using your tribal values as a compass on the the local, national and international frontiers. This book documents her Comanche up-bringing and pays tribute to those values that prove to be essential to her life's triumphs.

Harris has proven herself in many sectors, though Stockel focuses primarily on her role in Indian Country, so the reader doesn't get to fully appreciate the impact she has had on the women's, environmental and third party political movements in America.

This is a compelling story that celebrates a life that touched several generations and societies. I strongly recommend this book, for it tells a story of an extraordinary life!

The content of this book reflects an important time in the history of the United States. "LaDonna Harris, A Comanche Life" discusses issues ranging from racism to the evolution of women through their emerging role in politics during the 1950's and 60's. LaDonna lends the reader an account of her involvement on paramount issues during a tumultuous time of change in American culture. As I read this book, I thought about Jonathan Kozol's book entitled "Savage Inequalities" only to contemplate the question, "Are minorities really better off now?"

As a university professor of multicultual education, I will definitely add "LaDonna Harris, A Comanche Life" to my book list for students to read.

Richard "Dutch" Hardorff is one of the most thorough and objective students of General Custer's "last stand". His love of the truth and respect for the Indian tribes and their homeland is inspiring. His writing is captivating and fresh, especially considering the extensive treatment of the subject. Mr. Hardorff provides a lively and thought-provoking perspective that one would never get from the 'history' books. Truly an exceptional book and consistent with his fine other writings.

Written by a long-time student of the Little Big Horn, a gifted writer who is sympathetic to the Indians, this is another of this author's great contributions to the understanding of that event. Sprightly writing is so necessary and you will find it here, just as in CUSTER, TERRY AND ME, a creative (semi) nonfiction coverage of the tragedy of June 25, 1876. The latter was hailed by premier Custer Publisher and historian Richard Upton as worthy of the notice of scholars, and I'm sure he'd say the same of this book, since the author is a scholar of note in his field.

Highly recommended.

I am pleased to have this book to add to my Native American History collection.

This is the finest book I have read on the lifestyle of the Lakota (Sioux),people not only before European contact, but also how they dealt with their transformation into "civilized" members of the dominate society. It was originally written in 1933. Luther Standing Bear took his name after entering Carlisle Indian School. How sad that the newcomers to North America didn't take the time to learn the culture of the original inhabitants of this land. We would all be better off today if they had. This book gives much insight into why. Even at this late date, there is a lot that can be learned from "Native Wisdom." I highly suggest that anyone interested, read this book. It will touch your heart!

"...an Omaha girl was seen flitting among the tall prairie flowers, shifting her white blanket to suit her varying moods - now letting it float as she swept in ever-widening curves, or at the slightest sound, hiding her glossy head and laughing among its soft folds." ~The Omaha Tribe, Alice Fletcher

Robert W. Kapoun documents the wide variety of trade blankets in this fascinating study of Native American culture. He describes the blanket as a poetic statement that is given a voice by the wearer. If you have ever wrapped a blanket around yourself for comfort or used a scarf as a fashion statement, then you begin to understand how a robe can create various moods and gives the wearer a sense of fashion.

"These blankets are not merely being worn to provide warmth; they create a statement, if you will, which says, "These blankets are part of our culture." ~Robert W. Kapoun

The writing in this book is especially poetic and while learning about the cultural significance of the blankets, you may also start to feel a deeper connection with nature. These blankets promote a sense of community and are used as gifts, to carry children, to display wealth and to protect from the elements.

The designs on the robes make an interesting study when you see the charts for the terminology of the designs. Then this becomes art appreciation as you identify a dragonfly, a feather, clouds, lightning, turtles, teepees, rabbit ears, birds and leaves. The brightly colored blankets either have stripes or intricately woven patterns. This book identifies collectible blankets and also explores the historical significance.

The way to find modern versions of these blankets here at Amazon is to apparently type in "Pendleton Woolen Mills." I tried just about everything else.

~The Rebecca Review

Over three hundred photos beautifully spice a history and survey of pre-World War II Indian trade blankets, revealing not only examples from the five major manufacturers, but some surprises confronting the common myth of Native blanket-making. Collectors, textile artists and Native American history enthusiasts alike receive a thorough survey of these blankets, how they became a symbol of Native history, and how they were traded and constructed. From machinery purchases and business transactions within the manufacturing industry to how tribal customers directed the Indian trade blanket designs and manufacturing process, LANGUAGE OF THE ROBE is a fascinating, unusual history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch