Oklahoma Books

I am always amazed by the tedious research necessary for a book of this quality. The writer has only the yearly count and verbal stories from which to verify the "white mans" account. This is a must read for anyone truly interested in the true history of this country, that seems to have been so frequently left out of our history books.

In Native American Weapons, well over a hundred color photos and illustrations provide an important, detailed survey of weapons made and used by Native Americans from Mexico to the US, ancient to modern times. Accompanying these photos and drawings are clear surveys and explanations of both the weapons and their roles in tribal culture and systems. A recommended pick for both military history and Native American collections.

Larry Zimmerman and Brian Molyneaux successfully collaborate in Native North America to illustrate tribal life, sacred arenas, spiritual traditions, and artifacts of the indigenous peoples of North America, from the Inuit of the Canadian north to the Navajo of the American southwest. After a brief introductory history of Native Americans, individual aboriginal cultures are explored, region by region. The informative surveys include Native American spiritual observances, personal and communal rituals, initiation rites, and curing ceremonies. The reader is provided informative descriptions of the powwow, rites of passage, planting rituals, oral storytelling, dreams, the ghost dance, and the drum. Of special note is an examination of issues facing Native Americans today. A very highly recommended title for students of Native American studies and history, Native North America is vividly illustrated with more than 160 color photographs.

Great overall introduction to the indigeneous peoples of North America. Author succintly covers the basics. Have used this book in American Indian World Views class for a number of years as a required text. Highly reccommended as an introductory overview of topics fom identity through creation stories to current issues, etc. Gerri Parker, Chair American Indian Studies De Anza College

This book is a keenly interesting look into the ways, the works, and the world-views of the early inhabitants of what today is Southern New England. Dr. Bragdon writes not in an historical style, but rather in the ethnographic tradition. Thus, her chapters are sometimes rather slow going unless you're an anthropologist. There's a lot of jargon. It's still a great read for the non-specialist, however. I would like to recommend keeping a dictionary handy, for times when the esoteric nomenclature of anthropology becomes as impenetrable as a pre-colonial flock of passenger pigeons.

The book is not divided up by tribe, as one might expect. Instead, Dr. Bragdon has divided her work by conceptual paradigms, or by umbrella descriptions of features of life shared by all the peoples of the land under discussion. Chapters delve into cosmology, ritual, or social relations, as well as "Kinship as Ideology," "Metaphors and Models of Livelihood," and "The Quotidian World:Work, Gender, Time, and Space."

By the way -- if you don't read fairly carefully at the beginning, you may miss something important. Dr. Bragdon has chosen to employ the term "Ninnimissinuok" as a blanket term for members of ALL the local Algonquian tribes. Just be aware that that what the word means -- otherwise you might waste a lot of time scratching your head, wondering who, exactly, these Ninnimissinuoks are supposed to be. I mention this because it's not nearly so well-known a term as, for example, Narragansett, or Wampanoag -- but perhaps it should be. The author demonstrates it's validity, and it's importance.

The bibliography at the end of this book is worth the book's price, all on it's own. There's a discouragingly large amount of poorly researched, pseudo-mystical writing out there, on the subject of Native Americans. Well, you won't find any here! All the cited works I've tried to locate have been of an extremely high caliber. The bibliography alone could keep you happily reading about the native peoples of Southern New England for many, many moons.

Again, this book can be a little steep going at times, if you aren't trained as an anthropologist, but it's worth the effort. Definitely two thumbs up.

This is an examination of the American Indians who inhabited southern New England (including Long Island) from roughly Cape Ann near Boston to the Housotonic River in Connecticut. All aspects of the Natives' life and culture are considered, with separate chapters focusing on settlement, agriculture and trade, work and gender, livelihood, the role of the sachem (tribal leader), kinship, cosmology and religion, and ritual. Bragdon quotes frequently from first-hand accounts kept by early Europeans, including Roger Williams, William Wood, and Edward Winslow. But she also cites the archeological record, detailing much of what has come to light at various sites within the region. It's estimated that about 90,000 Natives populated the area at the time of European contact; epidemics and rapid European population growth slowly at first, and then much more quickly, reduced that number greatly by 1650. The very earliest relations between the Indians and whites seemed to be friendly, but that didn't last long: cultural differences were too great to sustain cooperation. I found the most interesting chapters to be those about the sachems, social relations, and rituals, though all of the book is filled with meaningful and compelling detailed information. The book takes a worthy spot among the many other outstanding volumes in Oklahoma's "Civilization of the American Indian" series. Highly recommended.

The book describes many facets involved in the creation of Pueblo Indian jewelry. This book is quite possibly the best and perhaps only scholarly work that explains jewelry making from the Indian perspective. The book gives much insight into the conditions on pre-1940 reservations and the trade practices that gave rise to "dead pawn" jewelry. This book is a must for serious collectors and those seeking thorough research. However, the book gives very little attention to the Harvey phenomenon, preferring to deal more directly with traditional Native American art (i.e. the jewelry that the creators would wear on themselves).

the book gives in both words and photos the entire history of native silversmithing from its inception to the mid 1940 when the book was frst published. An excellent companion book to one of the many books written on comtemporary native american jewelery making.

This book is a fascinating and skillfully written story set in the American Southwest from the 1860's to the 1890's. It is told from a variety of viewpoints--native American tribes, settlers, and cattle trail hands--that bring to life their triumphs and tragedies while fighting for survival on the frontier. The author vividly portrays an array of historical and fictional characters in a unique geographical and historical setting and manages to weave into the story a mystery that is only revealed as forces converge through the characters over thirty years.

The North Fork is an example of great historical fiction. Lively characters and unpredictable plot twists make this book a real page turner. All southwestern history buffs should enjoy this book immensely.

This book will draw you in and capture your interest.
It is a fascinating account of the lives of R.H.
Wessel and Margaret Scow. From R.H. Wessel's
experiences in coming to Oklahoma Territory in the
early 1900's to his courtship with Margaret, well
documented through many letters written to each other,
this book is both intriguing and inspiring. Kenneth
Peek does a great job of compiling the many letters
and photographs into a moving portrayal of life on the
Oklahoma frontier.

I absolutly loved this book! It was such a treat to be able to read the wonderful letters written so long ago between Rhinehardt and Margaret. I can't believe how people endured without any modern convienences.You almost feel these people you are reading about are a part of your family. I wish the author will write another sequel soon! The beautiful photos in the book were lovely. Makes me want to go to Oklahoma and see it for myself!

A novel in poetry. The life of several generations of Oklahomans beautifully rendered. Harrison creates fully realized characters and delves deeply into the major human issues of love, death and the survival of the human spirit.
Quiet yet deeply moving.

Ms. Harrison returns in her second published collection of poetry, Okie Chronicles, to weave tales of charm, wit, adventure and spunk. Okie Chronicles follows the lives of several Oklahomans before, during, and in the difficult times after the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. This book illuminates the history of the American southwest in poignant and clear detail, with visual imagery and captivatingly real stories of everyday life. Finally, there is a collection of poems worthy of being called historically accurate, while still gripping and fascinating. If you love the detail and fluidity of prose, you will love Okie Chronicles. If you are an ardent fan of poetry of the highest standards, this book is also ideal. If you have a love of history and a respect for learning how we became who we are today, then Okie Chronicles is the best you can get.

This book has outstanding photography of Oklahoma. As an Okie I can attest to the sites and authenticity of the photos. Amazing photography. I own this book and purchased another one as a gift for someone who is retiring. Love it, love it, love it. A must have book for your collection.

The publisher of this wonderful book, based in Portland, Oregon, has a well deserved reputation for producing quality coffee-table style books. They published two prior volumes on Oklahoma to wide acclaim and have watched as they became collectors items. However, with this book they have truly outdone themselves. This is an absolutely gorgeous testament to Oklahoma's stunning beauty and diversity and, if that's not enough, it is being released just in time to commemorate the upcoming Oklahoma Centennial celebration.
Where to begin? For starters, the book is filled front to back with spectacular full color photographs of both the cities and countryside of Oklahoma by none other than the award winning photographer David Fitzgerald. For over 40 years he has been documenting the incomparable beauty of Oklahoma in both the two previous volumes and indeed, in venues nationwide. The photo of the new state Capitol Dome is priceless and the myriad pictures of the geographical diversiaty of the state serve as both a reminder of, and source of pride in, Oklahoma's rich heritage.
Not to be outdone is the text provided by former Miss Oklahoma and Miss America (1967) Jane Jayroe. She is a former television personality and stays true to her journalistic training by providing a highly readable, entertaining and informative essay on the contents of the book. From Western Oklahoma through Central to Eastern and all places in-between the reader is taken on an almost magical trip both in pictures and text of a place I call home, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma has come a long ways from the scenes depicted in Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. He would be proud.

This book is now out-of-print. Arcadia will not re-print this edition.

After recieving hundreds of requests for additional copies of Oklahoma City:1930 to the Millennium, Arcadia has decided to re-print this edition.

David Fitzgerald is one of Oklahoma's top photographers. This book does Oklahoma proud with its breathtaking photos! And yes, this really is what Oklahoma looks like!

Finally someone has truly captured the flavor and essence of the Sooner State! I have been waiting for a book like this one for a very long time. The combination of poignant text and stunning photographs is a one-two punch that really delivers. Thanks so much for giving us this wonderful book!