North America Books

Goodbye Buffalo Sky deserves to become a classic in the tradition of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Although written for young adults, it is a powerful story beautifully told that could be enjoyed by any reader. Set in North America during the white settlement of the American West, this is a rich and complex story told with eloquent simplicity. Cappy and Alice, two teenagers who live in the small frontier town of Buffalo Sky take turns in telling the story of Two Songs, a beautiful young Mandan Indian who marries a local artist, Buckhart, and the effect their friendship with her has on their lives.

This is one of those books that stays with you for years after you've read it.

Ignore "Kirkus Reviews" and note instead the "Booklist" review, and the quotes provided by the author from the English reviews. "Goodbye, Buffalo Sky" is an immediately captivating tale [young Cappy is caught peeping as an artist paints a nude of his wife], told alternately by Cappy and friend Alice. Humor, page-turning narrative drive, and insightful characterizations make this tale of the great American prairie, a bit over one hundred years ago, a first-rate Western for readers ages 10-14.

It is 1870 on the northern plains in a small pioneer settlement called Buffalo Sky; orphaned twelve year old Cappy Carrew lives in a boarding house. When his painting teacher and friend is murdered by a Sioux Indian, and his Indian wife driven out of town, Cappy sets off across the plains in pursuit of the killer, accompanied by Alice, a girl eager for adventure. Alice and the Indian woman, Two Songs, are captured by the Sioux; Cappy sets off in pursuit. He and Alice return to Buffalo Sky only to find the town in ruins and the survivors having fled. Although it ultimitley leaves you hanging, this book is an exciting, action packed western, and sure to be a page turner!

Mark Thompson is a scholar and a sailor. He has also been, in his lifetime, a soldier and a legislator. He is an honest, articulate man with a probing mind. He is also a raconteur with a fine sense of humor. Mark brings all this, and more, to his writing.

The shipwrecks described in GRAVEYARD OF THE LAKES are, in a sense, the exceptions that prove the rule. That is, for every shipwreck or foundering, there are hundreds if not thousands of successfully completed commercial voyages on the Great Lakes. By describing the wrecks and the tragedies and looking to discern overall patterns, we learn what keeps voyages from becoming wrecks and tragedies -- even if it is only not to let hubris reach critical mass.

Mark is no armchair historian. He knows firsthand whereof he writes. In this, of course, there is risk of not having adequate perspective. But in Mark's case, in my opinion, his nearness to his subject, particularly when writing of events which yet are in living memory, is what makes his writing incisive.

I have been, even recently, a shipmate of Mark Thompson. He and I, always in good humor, never lose an opportunity to point out each other's flaws. But I have no flaw to mention in regard to this book. Mark provides both an overall understanding of Great Lakes shipping and a specific understanding of day-to-day details. I highly recommend GRAVEYARD OF THE LAKES to anyone interested in Great Lakes shipping and its history.

If you are a maritime enthusiast, Great Lakes visitor, or a history buff then this book is a must own. The pictorials are excellent and each are followed by outstanding descriptions. This book outlines the Great Lakes shipwrecks and how unforgiving these lakes can be.

Although many books have been written about Great Lakes shipwrecks, Thompson's book offers a new perspective by analyzing the causes of wrecks on a large scale. One can see the various factors that made the Lakes particularly dangerous to navigators throughout their history. Thompson's research is equally impressive. Unlike many other books of the genre, Thompson has actually consulted, in most cases, primary archival sources, in developing his wreck accounts, rather than simply rehashing the work of other authors. Thompson's presentation avoids dry regurgitation of statistics and details through an accessible and entertaining writing style that makes the book a better read than similar books on the subject. Although the book is not comprehensive and contains a few forgiveable historical errors, it remains one of the best books on Great Lakes shipwrecks to come out in recent years.

I enjoyed reading this book and I found the artwork to be most interesting. This book explains two of our strangest creatures, the flying squirrel and the bat, who can fly although they are not birds. The excitement builds up as the birds find a way to make wings for the little animals, no bigger than mice, to prepare for the ball game. The action of the game itself is quick and intense, as the animals and birds battle it out. Can you guess who wins? You'll find yourself cheering for Bat as he dips and dives for the ball, but watch out! Bluejay drops the ball just at the crucial moment. I give this one an A+ for enjoyment.

I am happy to find a book that describes the game of stickball the way it was originally played here in the southeast. We Cherokees called the game "the little brother of war" in the old days. Even now our villages near the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina play against each other in the traditional was, by setting up goal posts at both ends of the ball field. You will hear the teams taunting each other just as described in this book. Thanks to the writer and the artist for helping to keep our culture alive.

What more could you ask from a picture book? The Great Ball Game of the Birds and Animals is a wonderful tale that explains how the bat and the flying squirrel came to be. Duvall's version of this story sticks closely to the original Cherokee legend with expanded imagery and character development. Like all great stories, this one teaches a lesson for human beings. Jacob's beautifully detailed drawings will hold the imagination spellbound as the story unfolds in crisp black and white. This book won the 2003 Oklahoma Book Award for Design and Illustration. I am proud to own a signed first edition that I obtained while visiting Tahlequah, Oklahoma during the Cherokee National Holiday. I highly recommend this book to art collectors and readers alike.

"Growing Up Native American" is a heartwrenching anthology of classic essays by 22 renowned Native American authors. The writers come from 15 native nations across the United States and Canada. The essays are divided into four major sections, excluding the Introduction. The editor prefaces each major section with its own brief introduction.

The first section looks backward and forward at how Native nations lost their indigenous languages and with language loss their self-determination. The second section focuses on the 19th Century, especially on the devastating policies against Native Americans and the struggles that ensued. One example of devastation is given in the third section which describes policies that destroyed traditional Native American educational systems and replaced them with repressive alternatives "meant to destroy their tribal identities" (p. 116). The fourth and last section outlines the 20th Century which "has brought forth an ever-increasing effort toward self-determination by indigenous peoples", because the "vanishing American has not vanished" (p. 190).

This is a hard-hitting book, meant for both the non-Natives and "Natives" who truly want to know. If you, like me, ever thought you knew the Native American story, then you ought to read this book. If you have not heard about the Native American story, starting with this book will save you from many misconceptions. A good read, indeed.

Amavilah, Author
Modeling Income Determinants in Embedded Economies : Cross-section Applications to US Native American Economies
ISBN: 1600210465

What is it like to grow up as a stranger in your own land? Of all of the emigrant groups which came to the "New World", those who were already here experienced their country being conquered and their way of life almost destroyed. All to often their stories were dismissed, forgotten or seen as exotic curiosities for the anthropologists. Riley's collection of 22 Native American writers gives voice to a group whose lives show a spirit of survival and dignity in the midst of being a "conquered" people in their own land. Using excerpts from novels, memoirs, essays and autobiographies we are given a wide range of different experiences from the people who were here before there was an America. Growing Up Native American introduces us to the various native peoples of this continent. Through those various genres, we receive a bit of insight as to what they had to endure as they grew up in a hostile land. This collection of stories spans from the 19th to the 20th centuries. Growing Up Native American is an excellent text for intoducing one to Native American history,literature, culture and Native-American authors. You immediately are transported through time with the authors and characters. You identify with their challenges and triumphs. The book is not just a collection of tragedy. You are introduced to laughter, jokes, lifestyles and the joys of being a young person. I would highly recommend this book to those of us who are ignorant about the Orignal Voices who inhabited this land

This is an excellent book that gently and beautifully flies in the face of destructive stereotypes and any ill-conceived idea that the "American Indian" is powerless and extinct. Far from it. And for those who say the damage is "all in the past" and is not relevant today, this book also gives the lie to that mythology. Unfortunately, those aren't the people most likely to read this book. Given that, I would highly recommend making this book required reading in any literature course, history course, or humanities course in general. The writing is artful and succinct, the authors Pulitzer prize winners and accomplished in many other ways. What it means to be an Indian, Native American, in the United States of America while we are "fighting to preserve our liberty" is an incredible concept to wrap one's mind around. Stretch a little. These voices call out from history, through time, to the present to create the awareness that the world so desperately needs.

Low's index has long been the bible for dealers and collectors of Audubon's Birds of America. Painstakingly accurate in its original edition, this new, updated and expanded version is produced with all the care of true booklovers. Elegant and useful. Thanks to Reese and Heald for making this invaluable tome available.

Susanne Low conducted years of painstaking research to write this lovely book. She examined four complete 435-print sets of Audubon's double elephant folio and this detailed, comprehensive Guide is the result. Every variant of every print is described including the birds depicted, the exact size of the plate mark, and where and when Audubon painted the original. A similar section describes the 150 Bien edition chromolithographs that were made in 1858-1860. The information presented is invaluable to antique dealers and collectors because it enables even the casual user to authenticate prints.

I especially like her cross-references and cross-indexes that make it easy to compare the double elephant folio prints with the Biens and the Octavos. She even included a biographical section that describes all the people who helped Audubon along the way. Writing my own book - Audubon Art Prints - would not have been possible without using Susanne's book as a reference.

This book represents a revision and extension of Ms. Low's earlier work, An Index and Guide to Audubon's Birds of America (Abbeville, 1988). It is a valuable reference for anyone interested in Audubon's folio bird prints. If you have a choice, select this more recent version than the out-of-print Abbeville edition. As in her earlier book, Ms. Low includes sizes of the plate marks for Havell Edition prints, and adds more information on the variants she encountered in a systematic review of four complete Havell Edition sets. The book also includes a wonderful bonus -- a detailed description of the Bien Edition (sometimes called the second folio edition of The Birds of America). Ms. Low's treatment is by far the most comprehensive information available in one place on this important and neglected work. As an Audubon dealer, and someone who has prepared web-based study guides of all the major Audubon editions, I have found endless uses for this book. It is a must-have reference for all serious students and collectors of Audubon's art.

I was easily able to find any plant, and found the descriptions comprehensive, and comprehensible.

Excellent descriptions great pictures great therapies

Loved this book. The layouts of the poison plants are easy to understand. Gives you a clear color picture closeup and distance shots of the plants. A a US map for the habitat -- great description of its actual locations i.e. "moist conditions preferring the edges of receding reservoirs and ponds." Describes the toxins involved then gives you clinical signs diagnosis and treatment for the animal. You need this book in your barn!

California has the most culturally diverse Indian ethnography of any U.S. state. Since California habitats range from coastal near- rainforest to dry desert, the Indians have developed a wide range of cultural and technological innovations to deal with it. The linguistic relations are also complex and diverse, a particular interest of mine, and I thought Kroeber did a fine job of discussing this, too. Altogether, Kroeber spent 17 years compiling and writing this great work, and it shows.

Some of the tribes understandably receive more coverage than others, because little was known about them at the time. For example, the Wappo and Washo Indians only have four and half pages each in the book, but the Yokuts section has 70 pages, but this is understandable given the original publication date of 1925 by the U.S. Government Printing Office. Since then, our knowledge of many of the tribes has become significantly greater, or at least less sketchy, but you'll have to consult other sources for that.

One notable thing about the book is the photos of various individuals, most of which could probably not be obtained today--such as the picture of the "Karok man in warrior custume in rod armor and helmut," or the "Hupa (man) measuring dentalium money against tattoos on his forearm," two truly quite striking photographic portrayals.

Despite its deficiencies (which are still modest considering how old it is), this still ranks as the best compendium of knowledge about California Indians, and one of the greatest ethnographies ever written.

On a personal note, I thought I'd mention I had Kroeber's son, Ted, as my psychological statistics professor at San Francisco State back in the mid-70's. Although I never had the opportunity to meet the father, Ted was a really cool psych. prof., and I enjoyed his class. He said his father would often tell him and his sister Ursula (Ursula LeGuin, who became a famous science fiction author), stories about the Indians when they were children, and he would occasionally regale us with stories about his famous father in class, which helped to break up the necessary discipline and technical rigors of a statistics class.

Alfred Kroeber deserves admiration as one of those men who ensured that our knowledge of Native American peoples would not be lost. He is perhaps best known as the friend of Ishi and, sometimes, for his concept of "culture" as "superorganic", but it is this work that I feel is his most lasting contribution.

Though some of the information has been corrected by subsequent researchers (checking Kroeber's work against more recent publications is reasonable), the Handbook remains useful to anyone who wants an overview or details about the numerous peoples who inhabited the state before the coming of the Spanish in 1769.

Where Kroeber is sketchiest is, of course, where the peoples had been exterminated before his investigations began shortly after the turn of the century. His work on the Yokuts and the Mojave, on the other hand, is extensive and helps us to understand some of the culture of their now missing neighbors. He has left no people unaccounted for. Thanks to this volume, interest in the California Indians has been stimulated for all time and with that interest has come a desire to preserve.

All California history lovers and anthropologists need this book on their shelves.

The content of this book is EXCELLENT. However, the "hardcover" version is just a hard cover slapped on OVER the paperback--not worth the extra $100+.

In 2008, Minnesota celebrates its 150th year of statehood. And there have been some historical discussions about the state's handling of various local Indian tribes when the white man arrived--and the Indians were moved to reservations.

In August 1862, the Indian chiefs lost control of their people--because they were starving and angry, waiting for food that was promised by the government, food being held by men at the Agency warehouse.

In a time when it was often "kill or be killed," the reality of the early settlers jumps off the page. Featured is the Owen family: abusive and no-good father John; Ma; Hawk, 18; and Jake, 17 - Hawk, Jake and John's stories told first person in different chapters.

I can hardly find the words to tell how exciting this excellent storytelling is. Author Williams neatly wove fact and fiction to make this a real page-turner. Of course, being from the Ft. Ridgely area took me on a personal journey.

When Hawk and his father clash, the father kicks him off the farm in Ottertail County in northwestern Minnesota. A map shows the distances covered by foot, horse or ox carts, and it was amazing how far people walked those days.

This, the first in a three-part series, finds first Hawk wandering on his own, and then follows Jake, full of revenge because of his mother's murder by Indians. We are with them as they survive, meet with good and bad people-and use every stay-alive skill taught them by an uncle.

Hawk was befriended by the Métis (may-TEE), decedents of European traders who interbred with native woman. Most were French-Canadian trappers/traders who drove ox carts. Jake became reclusive, keeping a step ahead of trouble. John Owen sank even lower than he was as a father and husband.

Space does not allow room to tell their stories-but to say that if you love well-written history-and stories about survival, love, friendship-this series is for you.

Book 2, Sophie's Hawk: Spirit of the Raptor, continues the saga, as does Book 3, Hawk's Quest: A Superior Pursuit (2008) continues with the Owen boys as they find their way, make homes and families and again move around the state.

Any history buff, regardless of where you live, will love this author's storytelling ability.

Armchair Interviews says: IF you love historical fiction that seem so real that you root for the characters, this series is for you. Read the series in order so you know the characters.

Hawk's Valley is an fantastic book. The kind of book that you will sit down and read and hate to set down. Easy to follow, because you feel like your taking the journey with the characters in the story. All kinds of feelings flow in this book. Anger, excitement, humor. The kind of book you will read time and time again. Reading it a second time now, anticipating the sequel. Again, its fantastic!

Outstanding!!! It's one of those that you want to read again and again! The story is about a family as told through the eyes of three of the main characters, each giving a new perpsective on what happened on "that fateful day in 1861" that led them on their adventures to find one another. Throughout the story the paths of these characters cross in very subtle ways. There are so many complexities to the plot, yet it is an easy and enjoyable read. There were moments where I found myself laughing out loud and others where my heart was racing in suspense. The characters are so vivid and it was hard to tell which parts of the story were fiction and which were true accounts in Minnesota history. It was an enjoyable way to learn the real story behind some of the names and legends. I can't wait for the sequel!!

This is an excellent writing that I appreciate. It makes you think about life and how to take control. It opens the choices you have about life and it lets you know that your body is a temple and you must treat it like one, since your only allowed one. Alot of the things you do to the body can be prevented. It tells you about the major health concerns with in African American culture and goes into detail about each concern. It leads you into a step by step brocess of taking wellness into your own hand

Heart disease knows no racial boundaries, however, more African Americans are likely to die from it. THE HEART OF THE MATTER is one noted African-American surgeon's attempt to change that fact. Written for the layman in everyday language, the book offers a complete guide to heart wellness. With a focus on current medical knowledge balanced by a belief in the benefits of spirituality and human dignity, THE HEART OF THE MATTER offers valuable lessons for both the patient and loved ones. THE HEART OF THE MATTER is infused with understanding and compassion for those who have heart disease and for the family members and caregivers who help loved ones recover.

Hilton M. Hudson II, M.D., does a beautiful job of explaining heart disease and it's affect on African Americans. The stories woven into the book provide excellent examples of how heart disease affects more than just the patient, but family and friends as well. He provides practical advice on nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction that is particularly helpful to African Americans. He tackles sensitive racial issues with understanding and compassion.

This book is set up into lessons, one for each letter of the alphabet. It goes over the natural remedies for many illnesses and health issues, including item, recommended dosage and how to prepare it. When you're done with the lessons, you can use it as a huge alphabetical reference guide. This book packs a lot of information in an easy-to-use format.

This guide works for both those new to studying herbs and those who would like a solid reference book. It is laid out in alphabetical lessons that can later serve as a quick reference index. The author actually goes beyond the herbs themselves to discuss illnesses and ailments that can be treated with natural remedies. The book makes it easy to get started studying a sometimes overwhelming topic!

If you don't know a lot about herbal remedies, buy this book! That's what I did, and I learned more than I expected about finding, preparing and using herbs for healing. I thought I would just get an overview, but the book is easy to understand, and the review questions are terrific for making sure you retain what you've read! I was so impressed that I lent the book to a friend who knows a lot about natural healing. She ended up buying a copy for herself! I'm not kidding. It's really that good.