North America Books

Was wonderful to find a book covering Native American art with photos that I haven't seen over and over in various other reference publications. Easy to read. In great condition and came right on time.
thanks!

Berlo's and Phillips' erudite, critical voices are a welcome change from the often glossy, sales-driven world of Indian art writing. True to form, they have together crafted a sophisticated and highly readable survey of pre-contact, historic and contemporary Indian art, suitable for undergrads, grads, and the casual layperson. This book fills a HUGE gap, and stakes out a territory that few other scholars would dare venture; between connoisseurship, anthropology, visual culture and criticl theory. It is therefore to be expected that specialists of a particular region might take issue with some of their finer details. But specialist nit-picking misses the larger point of this book: to show how Native tribes across North America continued their cultural traditions despite colonialism and intertribal contact. It is a complex, interwoven history, but Indian art emerges, through this book, as one of the most vital, politically engaged arts in America today. This book sets the standard for Indian Art surveys.

one book can only give the reader a brief overview of the wealth of american indian art. the traditional art (i don't acknowledge a split between art and craft) was produced by all the nations, spans pre-historic and historic eras, and has been collected for centuries. the contemporary art is flourishing and much is breathtaking. that being said, this book does a wonderful job of covering such an immense subject.

the only complaint i have is the relative paucity of photos. but i would feel that way if the book were nothing but photos.

The book is a bit slow at first and seems to linger on certain topics but the overall images are better than other books on the same topic.

This is an excellent basic herb book, with lot of important things one should know about herbs, long with many usages and such. How to make tinture, soaps, tea, podwer, etc of certain herbs. For those new to herbalsim, one should read this book.

When gathering plants out in the bush for medicine, it is useful to carry some kind of field guide. For the uninitiated, the most comprehensive field guides quickly overwhelm, frequently with "skull and crossbones" designations of toxicity.

Native healer Tis Mal Crow reigns it all in by describing only 22 or so widely available and ubiquitous plants. Without the distancing effect of the western botanist describing "traditional uses", Tis Mal Crow gets down to earth: This is what it is. This is what it looks like. This is what it's for. This is how to use it - with appropriate cautions. Most importantly of all, Tis Mal Crow outlines the spirit and intent with which you must go gathering, to bond with and elicit the cooperative spirit of the plant involved.

Native Plants, Native Healing is engaging. If you only ever work with these 22 plants, you will have learned much.

Ayukii! ("Hello"! in my native language)

"Native Plants/ Native Healing" is a GREAT book, written by a wonderful and loving person: Tis Mal Crow. I knew Tis Mal personally since the 1980's. He was very knowledgeable about plants and herbs and their medicinal uses. He was also one of my closest friends, but we were more like brothers. There aren't many "root doctors" around - not like Tis Mal. He was one of the best.

I would like to thank Jerry Lee Hutchens, the "Native Voices" editor for the "Book Publishing Company" in helping Tis Mal's dream become a reality by helping him publish this great book.

Tis Mal and I danced at many Pow Wow's, and also made native regalia for many years. We used to sit for hours on end for months at a time to create beadwork. Tis Mal was well known for his bear claw necklaces, and his life-sized carved wooden dolls, dressed in traditional native american regalia.

Tis Mal Crow crossed over into the spirit world April, 2006. He had mentioned to me once that he "carried an old soul". To me, he was gentle, gifted, and wise beyond his years. He respected our Mother/Grandmother Earth, deeply loved her wonderful gifts, and respected all living things.

I miss him, and look forward to seeing him again in the spirit world.

Yootva. (Thank You.)

Jim

email: jimbeads@hotmail.com

I love this book. I dont know much about herbs but this book is very well written and informative. He gives a cure for almost every ailment and shows you how to look at a plant to determine its usage by its shape. My son that I homeschool loves to learn about all the usages of the plants, like cattails being used to make pancakes and clubhouses. I would purchase this book above any other, only because you can't find this information anywhere else. The only request I have of the author is to add more illustratoins of all plants discussed, so the ignorant (such as myself) know what to look for out in the wild.

Jack Weatherford is a well known and respected professor and author and he brings great perspective and respect to this subject. The book is not terribly long or difficult to get through but really does a great job of educating the reader about the enormous contributions of the Native people of the Americas, in particular the U.S. and should be assigned reading for high schoolers.

This book details the origins and development of many everyday / ordinary things in our lives. You may be surprised how much the Europeans owe to the natives of this land. This is NOT a hate filled, preachy, or mean spirited book. I think that regardless of age, race or up bringing you will enjoy this book and be educated by it.

Although the clarity of some of his writing is a little fuzzy, Weatherford uses his expansive knowledge of Native American history as the basis of his work in a manner that is quite intriguing. However, I believe that while the basic premises of Weatherford's thesis are sound, his assertions frequently overstate the Indian's influence on the settlers. For a number of his references, he has relied on secondary sources, some of which are incomplete or even controversial in regards to the validity and reliability of their factual assertions. For instance, Weatherford frequently refers to historical documents and journals of various explorers (i.e. - DeSoto, Schoolcraft, Columbus), missionaries and other early settlers as sources for his "facts", without having the benefit of being able to interview any of them first-hand. He would have been able to make sure he more fully understood the nuances and exact meaning of their writings if he had at least conducted more first-hand interviews with their descendents and others who were associated with them. This is, of course, something that is at times unavoidable in this genre of writing. And even though he usually clarifies the reliability of the material he cites, Weatherford does not always make it explicit that the events he refers to are chronicled as someone's opinions of what they observed, and are not necessarily a 100% accurate account of what really took place.

It would seem that with such an extensive knowledge of Native American history as his basis, that Weatherford's work would not only be adequate, but even possibly the defining work on this subject. I feel this is not the case. Although he writes about some 20 or so different aspects of the social, material, technologic and intellectual culture of Native Americans in an attempt to show how present-day America was built on Indian foundations, his rendition of the abuses, atrocities and various injustices they suffered is somewhat one-sided. Weatherford tells of Indians being extensively enslaved by the early Spanish and European explorers and how they were cruelly treated while in servitude. He also tells of their homes being burned, their places of worship and burial being looted and desecrated and other offenses that would make even the most callous person cringe with disgust. While these tragic atrocities most certainly happened, he does not make mention of the other races (except for brief mentions of African American slaves), such as the poor, lower class Europeans, that were forced into indentured servitude along with the Indians. These whites were slaves to almost the same extent as the Indians. Whether it was to pay their fare across the ocean to the "New World", to pay off some real or imagined debt to a nobleman or some other circumstance, these indentured whites were treated just as poorly, if sometimes not more so, as the enslaved Native Americans. Weatherford also does not make any real mention of those that spoke out against the practice of enslaving the Native Americans and African Americans. Just as there were abolitionists in the Civil War era, there were sure to have been anti-slavery advocates in the early days of the "New World". If one were to take Weatherford's account of early North American history at absolute face value, it would seem that the Spaniards, Europeans and other newcomers were little more than self-centered, cruel, greedy warmongers that had no other cares in the world than their own advancement. It would also seem that they did nothing more than rape, loot, pillage, destroy and/or enslave every Native American group that they encountered. Other races suffered injustices just as grave as those purported upon the Indians. They just are not always as "publicized" in the annals of history. The positive contributions of early European settlers, such as the introduction of horses, metalworking and other skills, are virtually unmentioned in the pages of Native Roots.

Weatherford's work is more than adequate in the sense that it gives the reader a wealth of information about how the Indians provided much of the foundations upon which modern North American culture is built. It also is adequate in regards to detailing the horrors that were committed against the Indians by the explorers and early settlers. However, I find it lacking in that it seemingly presents only the totally "pro-Indian" point of view. If I were face-to-face with Weatherford, I would ask him why he did not adequately discuss the massacres, rapes, looting, burning, etc. that the Indians committed against the settlers and other newcomers. Would he say that their acts were in retaliation for the crimes first committed against them by the whites? Perhaps he would, but even that would not justify the "cruelty-in-kind" on the part of the Indians. Regardless of the injustices suffered, returning evil for evil does not solve anything. As the old saying goes, "Two wrongs still don't make a right." What are the implications to be found in the history of the interactions between the early Spanish and Europeans with the Native Americans? How does what happened so long ago affect us today? I think we can take the lessons about the need for racial tolerance and cultural integration learned in these long past decades and centuries and transplant them directly into modern times. Some of the misunderstandings and misconceptions about others of a different ethnic or cultural background still exist today. The early Spanish Conquistadors, the European "explorers" and "missionaries", their monarchs and others all touted the superiority of their individual ethnicity and cultural standing. They felt the Indians were mere savages to be enslaved or "converted" as a means of controlling them and taking what was rightfully theirs. Organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan, the Arian Nation and the Black Panthers as well as others each advocate their own brand of hatred, often calling for "racial purity" so as to be able to emerge as the dominant race in the world. We must learn from the disastrous consequences of these types of attitudes that were evidenced in the early days of North American settlement. If we do not, we will be condemned to repeat them and once again suffer the intolerable injustices of a bygone era that is best left right where it is; in the past.

Native American history is a significant part of America in all its facets today. The myths and half-truths that have filtered down through television, movies, school textbooks and the educational system have seriously tainted these indigenous peoples. Jack Weatherford has placed the lives, cultures and customs of the Native Americans in an historically refreshing and accurate portrayl. He writes with carefully researched truth essential to create the groundwork for understanding and respecting America's first -- and perhaps most intelligent --civilization. Once this is accomplished, Mr. Weatherford weaves the complete tapestry that makes up this rich and self-sustaining society, long before the first European set foot on this continent. A must reading for serious students of American history and adults like myself who missed the full story the first time around!

A must have for writers looking to explore the world of American Indians through Academia. This book makes a great place to start for any writers outside the world of the American Indian because it informs from the perspective necessary to invoke change in the poorly and mainly Euroview of the American experience. The essays are insightful and informative and I found the bibliographies at the ends of each chapter a gift that only research freaks like me could enjoy. Thanks for the direction and how about a Volume 2?

Professor Mihesuah does an excellent job, as writer and editor, promoting a new model for American Indian studies, one more cognizant that the scientific/historical assumptions of the academy are themselves culturally loaded against a just understanding and representation of American Indians. Personally, I think this is true of much modern culture as well; one reason academics have such a hard time figuring out what to do with (and how to talk about) rock and roll, for instance, is that it doesn't quite fit the categories western civilization has developed so far. This is a fine collection of essays, one that should be required reading for all PhD candidates in the humanities.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The book addressed the issue of disrespecting the oral tradition of American Indian cultures by writing about them. This is something that has concerned me, especially as I look into continuing my studies through a PhD program.

Aside from the excellent job Professor Mihesuah does (both as writer and editor) in presenting the case for creating a different model for understanding American Indian history and culture, the essays here offer a much needed balance to academic presumptions about the primacy of scientific (as it were) fact. Should be required reading for all Ph.D. candidates in the humanities.

The written word with photos gives us some historic background of jews who came from Spain, because of being persecuted. While they gave up their jewish religion, we find out that many rituals were kept and practiced. Fasinating book.

This is a well written and very informative book about the survival of a tenacious people and about a part of the hidden history of the state of New Mexico. I would recommend it to any one interested in Jewish history, Sephardic Judaism, Crypto-Jews, Spanish culture and New Mexico history.

The culmination of years of heartfelt, dedicated work by a fine artist, the photographs reveal the depth and complexity of this story with beauty and true humanity.

I'll admit I am biased but this book finally puts a real human face on this southwest phenomena. Haunting images of a living glimmer of an almost forgotten people. Cary Herz performs a mitzvah by remembering us and in a small way provides help along the road to redemption of this small remnant.

I was originally given an expected delivery time of 3-4 weeks. The book arrived in just over a week. It was packed well and arrived in pristine shape.
Overall - an excellent experience that I'll be willing to repeat.

5 stars for a beginner who has never kept an aquarium, 3 stars for everyone else. The first half of this book covers the basics, which was of no use to me. The second half of the book covers the fish, and is pure gold, I just wish there was more of it.

This is not a book to buy for the pictures, the photography is nothing to get excited about. Most of the pictures are small with poor color reproduction.

this book is a throw back in many ways. Much like the old Innes books , Schleser's book starts out with the fundamentals. Topics like why to keep natives, fish taxonomy, conservation issues, collecting information, aquarium keeping tips and such cover the first 8 chapters. I like that. It starts the reader off right with a good foundation. Instead of just dumping you into a glossy book of pretty pictures of fish , this book starts you off with the how's and the why's of native fish keeping. This old fashioned nuts and bolts approach gives the reader a better chance to become a conservation minded Aquarist instead of just a pet store consumer. For Conservation efforts to be a success it must reach the grassroots level. The average person must be able to apply in a practical way, learned conservation ethics. I like to apply my housewife from Dubuque Iowa test to any book about collecting and keeping fish. If a housewife (or hubby) can read this book and apply it to activities with their local youth group, school or their own children then this book is a success. Well following my Dubuque test , this book is winner.

After 8 chapters of the basics , chapter 9 is all about fish. It breaks the fish down into basic types and goes into excellent detail about suitable aquarium species within each genus. Almost 100 pages is spent highlighting North America's unique aquatic heritage. Beautiful and obscure fish like the banded pygmy sunfish, dollar sunfish, gulf darter , Flagfin shiner , Fundulus Chrysotus , brindeled madtom and scores of other unloved North American fishes get the exposure they deserve . Full color photo's , range maps and rearing information follow each species. If you are interested in Longear Sunfish for example (page 139) you get 2 pages of great information , 3 photo's of the various strains out there and the basic information to keep , rear and enjoy this temperate fish. That's the kind of stuff anyone interested in Native Fish wants needs and got's to have. Get this book it's a winner.

Dave Schelser has done it again. His "Native Fish" book covers just about everything the enthusiast could want to know. Schelser describes everything from setting up the aquarium, to collection, feeding, and disease. A worthy sequel to his book "Pirahna: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual," also published by Barron's. All 133 photographs are taken by Schelser himself, whether in the wild or in the lab. One would never guess there were so many small but amazingly attractive fish native to North America without reading this book. Bravo Dave!!

Great stuff. Good information - BUT, what has been of the most use to me is the maps - I've used it in many presentations...tremendous information, looking forward to the new addition.

This book gives a very good description of pinot in the USA. It cuts through all the stereotypes assoiciated with growing and making pinot noir, and gives warm-climate growers a second look.

Ever since the movie "Sideways," it's been easy to love pinot and to know why. Like the movie's characters, pinot noir (the grape) is unpredictable, occasionally brilliant, often bad and otherwise given to fits and starts of temperment and quirkiness. John Haeger's "North American Pinot Noir" is the backstory. From the grape's historic evolution (probably in Burgundy) to it's spread through North America's most marginal winelands, the pinot story on our continent is one of renegade artisinal winemakers living and dying with fickle vintages and improvised technology and, ultimately, winning the grudging respect of Burgundy's barons. This encyclopedic account starts with the plant, it's natural history (habits, pests, preferences and all) and progresses all the way through it's best products -- the wines themselves. The tasting notes are extensive and regrettably bounded in time, but they offer acclaim to some great vintages and some great vintners. As the book ages, the notes themselves will only serve to remind most of us of what we missed. But as a survey of pinot's great American terroirs and their beautiful fruits, the book confers rich knowlege and a deep sense of why this grape matters. The book is the University of Pinot Noir. For graduate school, find a place that you like -- Dundee HIlls or Santa Maria Bench -- and proceed to the advanced seminars they offer.

As a part-time wine instructor and wine enthusiast, I'm always looking for good resources to share as well as for my own use. This book is simply outstanding: the writing is clear, there is more information than you could ever possibly use, but you don't feel like you're drowning in irrelevant junk. Bravo!

This is a fantastic book on nature in North America. The pictures are large and glossy, and the pages are thick. Somehow they cover every animal in North America with a large picture, and some writing. It is written smoothly, however, and isn't like a catalogue. The information provided is not too much, nor too little. Just the perfect information. It is a large book. 14 inches in length, and 12 inches in width. So the pictures are huge, as is the text. A must have for nature lovers.

For an oversized visual approach packing in color photo close-ups of North American wildlife, David Jones' title can't be beat: it pairs delightful full-page color photos with natural history, descriptions of research studies and findings, and protection routines, creating a catalog of wildlife which draws readers in with fine color and completes the education task with plenty of facts. As suitable for high school holdings as for public libraries, NORTH AMERICAN WILDLIFE is simply gorgeous.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This is an amazing book. I could sit for hours and stare at the wonderful photography. It is a visual masterpiece!

This would be the kind of book you will want to read when you don't want to think too much about what you are reading. You just breeze through the pages admiring the photography and the occasional useful insight into the animal kingdom...and, believe me, there are a lot of pages. This is a big book and definitely an excellent read for anyone fascinated by nature and wildlife.

I draw oak leaves and it is important to me that I identify them correctly. This book tells me everything I need to know. I especially like that he shows more than one example of the leaf, as there are some widely varying differences in leaves of the same type tree. This is now my oak leaf bible.

This book is a ton of facts for both the amateur as well as the professional botanist or horticulturalist, and at the same time it is an enjoyable read for the casual reader looking for some information or help with oak id. It is the only book that I have seen that actually helps the reader better understand and thereby learn to id oaks, by letting the reader know what the Latin name really means. Sure solves a lot of mysteries, like why the Quercus velutina is the black oak, not the quercus nigra.

The book does have an introduction talking about the broad classifications of types of oaks, history of oak usage, historic management of oak forests, etc. But this introduction is short, and then the book gets into the nitty-gritty of identification. Not just red vs. white, but every single documented variant the author found in his extensive research. For all but one of these oaks, the author visited and examined a live specimen himself.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to identify then many species of Oaks in N. America. The layout, photographs and desecriptions are all excellent.

This is the wonderful result of one person's five-year dedication to the life of this fascinating bird. Not only is the photography superb, the text is heartfelt and poetic. The organization by region provides a coherent structure for traveling with cranes through their various habitats. A generous gift to all of us who otherwise would not be able to make this journey.

A geo-photographic tribute to America's elusive but elegant cranes, along with their widely diverse habitats. Part journal and part photography book, the author takes the reader on journeys to Alaska (including a breathtaking view of cranes flying past Mt. McKinley) to Florida, from the Central Valley of California to the agricultural plains of Wisconsin. Between, readers are treated to wildlife vistas in the Teton and Yellowstone National Park region, Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in the desert of New Mexico, and the Platte River, which flows through the High Plains of Central Nebraska. Not just a travel documentary, this is the first book of a remarkable young artist, who will dazzle and delight readers with a poetry of cranes as observed through the lens of his camera.

At once a coffee table photo celebration and a natural history, any avid birder should consider photographer Michael Forsberg's On Ancient Wings: The Sandhill Cranes Of North America to be essential reading. The photos alone - full-page color spreads which are gorgeous in their all-season crane portraits - are worth repeated looks, covering cranes in environments from Alaska to Cuba. Then, there's the discourse surveying the natural history and lives of cranes, revealing their interactions with people and their attempts to adapt to a changing natural world. A fine tribute marries natural history and visual display, inviting audiences from natural history students to casual readers to partake.

Michael Forsberg has put together an amazing collection of photos and is a good writer as well. On Ancient Wings shows that it doesn't matter if you've been a pro photographer for 35 years or ten, all that matters is the emotional impact of the photography. There's certain well-known wildlife photographers out there who talk talk talk about how good they think they are and then there's photographers who just are. Forsberg falls in the latter category.