North America Books

This book is filled with information about African-Americans and their accomplishments that every person should know. Do you know which U.S. President established the Office of Minority Affairs? Who was the first African-American to earn a Ph.D.? What state east of the Mississippi was the first to give African-American women the right to vote, in 1913? These are just some of the questions you'll find in this volume. I especially liked having each set of answers on the same page as the questions. The author also includes a helpful bibliography for further study. Highly Recommended.

A BOOK SUCH AS This One is very important.it's ashame the way History is Taught at Many Schools especially when it comes To Black History Month? a Book Such as this Reflects Strong Contributions by Many NEGROES.it's a Must.Very Informative.

Outstanding in the way it is put together. Must reading in general for all African-Americans and specifically younger African-Americans. Excellent job, way to go!!

Mary Ann Glendon tackles a very difficult task with great care and precision - she attempts to engage in a conversation about two very emotional and complex subjects which usually find people either at polar extremes from one another or completely ambivalent and ignorant of the real discussion at hand - these two issues are abortion and divorce. To embark on this conversation, Glendon suggests that we consider not how America has addressed these issues, but rather how the rest of the Western world has done so through their laws and regulations - and she does so with great precision.

Would you be surprised to discover that the United States has the most liberal laws regarding both the regulation of abortion and the application of divorce in the entire western world?! I was. But Glendon doesn't just stop with the comparison, she seeks to examine how and why this situation exists and it is through her careful examination that one can learn how to better address and speak to these complex and controversial subjects here in America.

The book is not an easy read, but I believe it is an important read for everyone wanting to not merely understand the current situation of abortion and divorce on demand, but also wish to change the present landscape on these issues. Glendon realizes that changing any one law isn't going to change the perception or attitude of an entire country, but she does realize that something must be done and she seeks to better prepare and equip those entering into the fray with solid background information that can be used to advance much needed change in these areas.

Professor Glendon of the Harvard Law School is a rare voice of sanity, compassion and honesty in America's abortion debates. She is an especially rare voice within the legal academy. Glendon shows that America's abortion regime, set into place by the Supreme Court in its infamous Roe v. Wade ruling, is the most radical in the Western world. In the United States, the richest nation in the world, we have the least amount of legal protection for unborn children; to use Orwell's phrase, they are "unpersons" as far as our laws are concerned.

But Dr. Glendon's book is about much more than looking at comparative abortion laws. Glendon demonstrates that abortion laws are necessarily related to the provisions a society makes for vulnerable women and families facing difficult pregnancies. Glendon adopts a wholistic, communitarian-based approach to the issue of abortion, arguing that it is more a question of societal responsibilities than individual rights. Thus, the current rhetoric, especially popular on the "pro-choice" side, that posits a conflict of rights between mother and child, is very misguided ... and as we have witnessed, deadly to unborn children and damaging to the fabric of our society.

I believe Dr. Glendon's book represents a prophetic call to a new way of thinking about abortion, and our response to this tremendous national tragedy.

Mary Ann Glendon is among the most talented members of the faculty of the Harvard Law School, and this book is a detailed comparison of abortion and divorce laws in the major developed nations. Such a comparison leads to the conclusion that American law on these matters is the most extreme in the developed world. Glendon then argues that the peculiar extremity of our legal situation reflects the deficiencies of a constitutional order that places unprecedented importance on rights, a contention which is further developed in her book, Rights Talk. This book is very valuable in dispelling the notion that where we Americans stand with regard to abortion and divorce is simply consistent with the law of other Western nations.

I was pretty familiar with the history of this subject, but was more interested in the archeological finds. For instance, in the world of shooting today the 50-70 is all but forgotten yet there were more 50-70 cases and cartridges found than any other caliber. The thing about some of the long shots the hunters made during the siege is that the authors point out that the hunters had no doubt tested their prowess at different targets at different distances, so had probably already "marked" many of the shots and distances. Good reference for anyone studying the battle, I am going to the site this summer, and read this as a preface...Ivery

Best book on the Adobe Walls battle available. Covers every aspect from the structures, to the archaeology, people (both anglos and native american), the battle, the occupations, etc. Great info on the archaeology, including ammunition, guns, dinnerware (plates etc), blacksmithing,etc. I learned much about the battle, the times, the people, the construction of the trading post, who, why, when, how.
Highest recommendation!

This is one of the best books on Adobe Walls, ( the other being the life of Billy Dixon). It takes you all the way through, from start to finish. The last half of the book is about the archeology that was done in the 70's. It gives a real insite into the hide hunters and store keepers lives during the six month's at the Walls.

Reviewed by Alwynne B. Beaudoin, Department of Geography
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada in CAP Newsletter 8(2):16-17, 1985.
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The publication of a new book related to pollen is a welcome event and Airborne and Allergenic Pollen of North America is certainly a valuable addition to the literature. Although "written primarily for allergists and others in the medical profession and for aerobiologists" (p. ix), the book contains much material hat should also prove useful to Holocene palynologists. The authors point out that "because there is no comprehensive North American flora ... basic botanical data involving species distribution, flowering times, and taxonomy are not readily available" (p. ix). This book represents a commendable attempt to remedy this deficiency by bringing "together a large amount of divergent, yet relevant, information" concerning plants "whose pollen becomes airborne" (p. xi). This is accomplished by emphasizing visual presentation, mainly photographs, photomicrographs, and maps, "thereby allowing the user an opportunity to assimilate rapidly botanical facts on plant morphology, geography, phenology, and palynology" (p. ix).

Following an introduction, the major part of the book is organized into three chapters: Chapter 1 deals with trees and shrubs, Chapter 2 is concerned with grasses and grass-like plants, while Chapter 3 covers weeds and herbs. Many plant families are discussed: Chapter 1 comprises 52 families of trees and shrubs, Chapter 2 deals with 7 families, and Chapter 3 covers 16 families. Generally, within each chapter, the entries are arranged in alphabetical order by family. Some entries also include discussions at the genus level; these are also arranged alphabetically. However, in Chapter 1, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms are arranged separately; in Chapter 2, Poaceae is the first entry, followed by other grass-like plants, while in Chapter 3, Pteridophytes are discussed first, followed by other weeds and herbs.

For each family, the entry consists of a description of the main botanical features of the family, a list of the main genera, a discussion of flowering and pollen production, a description of the pollen morphology and a discussion of allergenicity. In addition, most entries are accompanied by photograph(s) of one or more species within the family, usually illustrating the flowers or staminate cones. Some of these are also illustrated in colour plates in a separate section near the beginning of the book. In some cases, the entries include maps showing the distribution of numbers of species within a selected genus. The entries also contain both light-microscope and scanning electron microscope photomicrographs of some representative pollen types. These photographs and photomicrographs in particular are one of the best features of this book. Generally, the images are large and very clear. The photomicrographs obtained by light microscopy are most impressive.

The volume contains two appendices. Appendix 2 consists of notes on the preparation of samples and on photographic techniques and equipment. Appendix 1 comprises 735 maps showing "generalized distributions of important wind-dispersed species indigenous to North America" (p. 177). The authors point out that many of these maps are original contributions. For grasses and grass-like plants, the distributions of introduced species are also mapped. For other plants, introduced species are simply listed, together with their "zone of hardiness", which gives and indication of how far north and/or west the species might flourish. The scale of the maps (c. 1:96,000,000) is such that great detail in the distributions cannot be displayed. Nevertheless, this sections does comprise a valuable compendium of distribution data.

Despite the tremendous scope of this book, I have some doubts about how it might be employed. Near the beginning of the book, there is a four page section containing 136 colour photomicrographs described as a "visual key to major pollen types" (p. 5). The quality of these images is not as good as those throughout the rest of the book; many of these photomicrographs seem rather fuzzy. Although the idea of having pollen types illustrated adjacent to one another for comparison is a good one, many of these images are too small to show morphological features clearly. The book lacks a descriptive key to supplement the photomicrographs and the descriptions in the text. Therefore, it would probably not be very helpful in the laboratory for the identification of pollen types while counting. Hence, initial identification of pollen would still have to be undertaken using other sources, such as pollen keys and/or reference material. However, once the pollen is identified, this book contains a large amount of supplementary information that might be beneficial in the interpretation of pollen assemblages. In particular, for many taxa, details of flowering times and modes of pollination are discussed. This kind of data is often difficult to obtain.

One drawback does arise from the authors' attempt to be thorough and wide-ranging, namely, that little attention can be paid to the subtleties of pollen variation within each taxon. For example, less than two pages is devoted to a discussion of the Pinaceae. No attention is paid to the distinction of pollen of the Pinaceae below genus level. Since pollen from Pinaceae is apparently not a major allergen, this discussion is presumably detailed enough for the book's targeted readers. For other major allergens, the presentation is more detailed. For example, about 14.5 pages is devoted to a discussion of the Asteraceae. From the point of view of the Holocene palynologist, this lack of detailed discussion within some taxa may be a limitation.

As a minor quibble, the book claims to be North American in scope, but most of the maps extend only as far as c. 60°N (about the latitude of Churchill, Manitoba). Does this reflect a lack of suitable information for the Arctic flora?

On the positive side, the production of the book is excellent. It is printed on a high-quality, glossy paper, and therefore the text is easy to read and the black and white photographs and photomicrographs are clear and crisp. In conclusion, I would say that this book would be a good supplement to a palynologist's library, since it does contain useful information and illustrative material which is not so readily available and accessible elsewhere.

Multidata has over one hundred copies if you're looking to buy one. Please visit their website at www.multidata.com or call 800-264-1338 to order.

I am the author of Allergy-Free Gardening, published by Ten Speed Press, and I have read a huge number of books about pollen grains and the plants that produce them. There are many fine books on the subject but by far, Airborne and Allergenic Pollen of North America, by Dr. Walter H. Lewis, is hands down the best.
The writing here is complex but easily understandable. The material and research in the book are deep and break considerable new ground. Today, as allergies continue to skyrocket, as deaths from asthma grow larger every year, I find it hard to understand how this book has gone out of print!
This may not be a book for the average lay person but for any serious student of allergies, horticulture, and pollen, this is a must read. I'd think that every allergist would want to own a copy of Airborne and Allergenic Pollen of North America.
The lead author, Dr. Lewis, is considered by his peers in biology to be THE medical botanist. He is after all, also the author of the seminal work, Medical Botany, from Wiley& Sons publishers. But unlike many who write about allergy, Lewis also knows a great deal about plants. He is, among many other things, the Senior Botanist at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.
I can not recommend this wonderful book highly enough.

For a short time I worked at a Florida lab helping to compile the USDA list of introduced arthropods. It was then I learned about a lot of obscure creature that had invaded the US in ballast, on plants, in clothing, and on wood, rock, sand, and just about any commodity or personal effect. The invasion has not stopped, but it is often not even known to be going on by the general public, except in some high profile invasions such as the Asian tiger mosquito!

John Leland, in his "Aliens in the Backyard: Plant and Animal Imports into America" presents us with many (but certainly not all) of these imported organisms, from starlings to Russian thistle and from dogs (first brought in by Native Americans) to anthrax. Some of these introductions changed history as they destroyed or interfered with crops, or were of medical importance. Smallpox, unknown in America, was used to kill Native Americans long before anyone heard of a virus by transferring contaminated blankets to the intended victims. Both diseases and destroyers of crops had their effects on armies and the outcomes of wars, as well as the physical and economic health of the hemisphere.

Despite a few irritating typos, I found the book to be basically accurate and I learned a few things as well, such as the fact that all species of human lice were already present in the New World when Columbus landed. Typhus may have been here as well.

This is one of those eye-opening books that should be read by everyone, especially if you are concerned with security. We don't need terrorists (although they can help things along) to cause major impacts on society. Nature and our own mobility can do it as efficiently or even better! We should also keep in mind that we, who evolved on the plains of Africa, are aliens to the New World as well! Indeed, John Leland drives this point home several times in this book!

We've all heard tales of the dreaded zebra mussel, rampant purple loosestrife, or prolific European starling, but if you think exotic species are the exception, even a quick browse of Leland's entertaining compendium of aliens will set you straight. You can't step into your backyard without treading on interlopers, like the favored Kentucky bluegrass.

From the hallucinogenic properties of hemp, morning glory, datura and more; to attempts to cultivate the silkworm; to rats, cockroaches and disease, Leland's essays offer an entertaining history of facts, rumors and squabbles on an exhaustive number of alien species. Whether purposely (often to rid the place of some other unwanted interloper) or accidentally introduced, aliens have long thrived in their new home and many have come to be considered natives.

A professor of English at the Virginia Military Institute, Leland ("Porcher's Creek: Lives Between the Tides") writes with wit and a certain wicked relish, and his research is dizzyingly thorough. But the sheer width and breadth of information is overwhelming. This is a book to keep, to dip into again and again a chapter or even a few pages at a time, so as to have some hope of retention.

With chapter titles like "Out of Africa," "Cowboys: And Their Alien Habits," "It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time," and "Bioterror: Older than You Think," Leland makes an appreciative and entertaining case for the melting pot.

John Leland (Professor of English at the Virginia Military Institute) does a great job of pointing out which plants and animals are, and which plants and animals are not, native to America. He writes well with style, grace and wit, and he gives a lot of interesting information about how various animals and plants came to be incorporated into the America landscape and enterprise.

From apples to kudzu he details which aliens have been a boon and which have been a sorry bust. In the case of kudzu (Pueraria lobata, which I saw for the first time in a Louisiana swamp a week before hurricane Katrina hit), "It Seemed a Good Idea at the Time" (title of one of his chapters). That was before people realized that kudzu completely blankets "whatever it grows on in a smothering welter of leaves and vines" strangling trees and other vegetation to death. (p. 161)

Also not a good idea was the introduction of carp into America's waters. Leland opines that "Most fishermen and environmentalist regard its widespread introduction...as a disaster...," although there are some, including the Carp Angler Group, who have a different opinion. Similarly, people differ about whether it was a good idea to bring the starling (one of the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's works) to America since it is now considered "a dirty, noisy, gregarious, and aggressive" bird that has displaced native species. Perhaps the worst of the "it seemed like a good idea at the time" species is the gypsy moth, brought to America as a possible silk worm. Leland goes into some detail about "well-intentioned dreamers of silken fortunes" in the chapter, "A Sow's Ear from a Silk Purse."

But these deliberately introduced species are relatively benign in the public eye compared to those that have freeloaded their way into our land and have more or less taken over in ways that we cannot control. The German cockroach, the Norway or brown rat, and the tumbleweed (surprisingly not native to the land of the cowboy but from Russia (with love)--oh, you deluded Sons of the Pioneers!) are three that Leland zeroes in on. He also has a few words to say about the American cockroach (probably not American--also called the palmetto bug) and the Oriental cockroach. Here in southern California we have all three, the German, the American and the Oriental. The German is the ever so prolific one that lives indoors in apartment houses and restaurants the world over, while the larger American and Oriental tend to live outdoors. I sometimes find one of the latter in my house dried up and dead in a corner or in a drawer, having wandered in and found nothing to eat and no moisture.

An introduced species that is perhaps an even bigger pest here in the southland is the Argentine ant, which Leland unaccountably does not mention. I recommend he take a study on it. There's enough material there to write a book and then some. Once the Argentine ant (small and black with only an occasional tiny bite) sets up shop inside the walls or under an establishment such as an apartment building or a college dormitory, it is there to stay.

What Leland does so very well in this book, and what makes it superior to some other books I have read, is integrate the alien species into the historical and cultural experience of the American people. In his chapter, "Out of Africa," he details "How Slavery Transformed the American Landscape and Diet." I had to laugh when I read that watermelon is not native to America but comes from Africa, as do peanuts and Bermuda grass, sesame seed and of course the cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) also known as the black-eyed pea. I had to laugh because I recalled Randy Newman's satirical song encouraging Africans to come to America in the early days of the republic for "the sweet watermelon and the buckwheat cake"!

Naturally, it is not in any way surprising that many of our foods come from other lands since most of the world's cuisines have found a home in American. Rice is not native, although the so-called "wild rice" is. Wheat comes from the Middle East as most people know, while potatoes are native to the Andes in South American.

In the chapter "Cowboys and Their Alien Habits" Leland recalls the familiar story of how the horse was once native to America but had gone extinct here before Columbian times, and then was accidentally reintroduced by the Spanish explorers after which it revolutionized the Plains Indians' way of life. (p. 92) Also alien are the cowboy's cattle, including the Texas longhorn; and if we go back far enough even the "Indians," the so-called native Americans are not native. Sad to say many of the true natives, like the giant sloth and the cave bear and the great mammoth went extinct coincidental with the arrival of the first humans from across the Bering Strait.

The only problem I have with this book and others like it, is that there is never enough. The way plants and animals have moved around the world and the way they have changed the lives of people is a continual source of fascination. Leland's fine book adds to the reader's pleasure while not sating it.

This beautiful book takes you on a guided tour of the geographical exploration of America. And it does that by showing and explaining over 300 of the maps explorers created while discovering North America. Many of these maps are richly detailed and visually stunning. The seven-page map catalog in the back of the book "sums up" these maps by providing the page on which the map appears, map name, map author, and source. Some of these are in vaults and not available for public viewing.

Hayes is a solid researcher and you can trust his work. That scored big points with me, because I've recently come across several books that present themselves as factual--when in reality they are poorly-researched and full of misinformation.

Unlike some authors, Hayes honors his contract with the reader.

Hayes combines his solid research with a writing style that brings the subject to life, warts and all. The journey he takes you on starts in 1000 AD and continues to the present day. With Hayes as your guide, you follow the explorers as they discover North America and its wonders. These include the wide prairies, complicated coastal waterways, expansive rivers, and many mountains that make North America such a geographical treasure trove.

Hayes does a good job of arranging the maps by area and era. For example, he looks at the West and starts with maps from the earliest years of exploration and then proceeds to the most recent maps. Through Hayes' narrative, you see history unfold as though you are there watching the explorers themselves. We see their human side, which is sometimes self-defeating. Hayes uses a combination of objective observation and witty commentary to provide a tour that is both informative and entertaining.

The maps in this book reflect the knowledge and the ignorance of the times in which they were drawn. For example, the obsession with a "Northwest Passage" across the continent--a short trade route to China--caused many mapmakers to draw in waterways that weren't there. Other mapmakers would then copy and propagate the mythological features.

I found myself reading this book with my tabletop globe at my side. As Hayes discussed the various islands, bays, rivers, and other features, I wanted to know where each one was and how it fit into the overall map. I also found myself frequently comparing the explorers' maps to the globe and chuckling as Hayes revealed how this or that map differed from reality--and why.

Because I have an interest in geography, I would have been satisfied with just the maps and some brief explanatory text. And I think even someone not especially interested in geography would have found such a book worth sitting down with for an afternoon if that's all it contained, because these maps are just so intriguing. But, there's more. Far more.

Yes, I've already said Hayes also explained other things. But, he didn't throw in a few "human interest" tidbits about the explorers. He told the story behind the story. The stories of the political machinations that drove many of these explorations would have made an interesting book in its own right. So, now the reader gets this great set of geography lessons while also enjoying the kinds of plot twists you might expect from a good novel. Great stuff!

Get this book for your tabletop, if you want something visually impressive for your visitors. Read this book, if you want a great read that leaves you with an impressive knowledge of the exploration of North America.

Derek Hayes' new book, "America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of North American Exploration," should appeal to the members of a number of literary categories, both ordinary and scholarly. First, for those who simply enjoy beautiful coffee-table books, this is one you can be proud to display as the artwork and colorful maps meet the highest standard. Second, if you are an American history buff, this book will enthrall you with its vivid recollections of early continental exploration and later discoveries and settlement across the Western frontier. Third, if you love maps or are into cartography, either as an avocation or as a profession, you will appreciate the numerous historical maps included in the work. Fortunately, I am a member of all three groups, so I especially appreciated Hayes' contribution to my personal library.

The author is a trained geographer and map researcher. He attended the University of Hull and the University of British Columbia and has spent many years traveling the world collecting and researching historical maps. This is the fifth historical atlas that Hayes has written and designed. I want to make a special point of "written and designed." There are many American history texts which cover the same period and topics which Hayes does in this book. But how many of them are "designed" to be aesthetically pleasing as well as meeting the highest levels of scholarship. I have some insight into that matter since I taught American history for a number of years. There are not very many books about American history that are both beautifully designed, worth spending time just to contemplate the illustrations, and still exhibit a text worth reading for its own sake.

The features and structure of "America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of North American Exploration" can be briefly stated. There are two hundred and eighty maps included in the book, covering a period of time from the fifteenth century to the twentieth century. This means that the reader can view maps created by cartographers at the "initial discovery" of America by European adventurers, based on the knowledge of the time, and follow the progression of map creation and design as more and more knowledge is gained about the American continent. It is interesting to note, for instance, that many of the early maps depict the present state of California as an island rather than attached to the American mainland (I didn't know that!). And for those who like geographic trivia, let it be known that this major inaccuracy about California continued even into the nineteenth century. Besides the many maps, there are a number of illustrations displaying persons and events of significance to American history. At the end of the book the author provides a map catalog with some facts about each map, a selected bibliography so readers can continue on with other resources, and a comprehensive index of topics. Lastly, the book is printed on acid-free paper which means it will virtually last forever.

Most of my book reviews are nine-hundred to a thousand words in length. This one is not. Why not? Simply because I can find nothing negative at all to say about this superb piece of writing and craftmanship. (Maybe there is a typo somewhere in the text, but if so, I couldn't spot it.) I highly recommend this book to everyone, regardless of whether or not you fit into one of the categories I named in the first paragraph. If you are a true bibliophile, like I am, you will appreciate this addition to your personal library. But a warning or two might be prudent. Older children and teenagers may find the maps in this book so captivating that the book might suffer the damage of overuse. In that case, it might be advisable to purchase two copies: one to use and one to cherish. Moreover, if you decide to purchase one as a gift for a relative or friend, be aware. Once you actually see the quality of this publication, you won't want to part with it. In that case, it might be advisable to purchase two copies: one as a gift and one for you to cherish. I think at this point, I've said enough. Any more said would merely be redundant.

The early settlers, investors, missionaries, traders, and other explorers of the North American continent had rough hand-drawn maps or no maps at all to guide them. As a result many of them made their own maps as they traveled. The tremendous variety of these hand-drawn maps makes this collection of maps and historical information fascinating reading.

The book is loosely organized along historical lines although maps with a similar theme are placed together. For example, some of the chapters, and therefore map collections, include "Seeking Furs and Lost Souls, Finding the Mississippi, West from Carolina, Ascending the Missouri, Crossing the Mountains, Russian Alaska, The Emigrant Trails, and The Great Western Surveys.

These are high quality copies of the original maps and a treasure to anyone interested in history. It includes many well-written historical accounts of the explorers and other travelers to augment the maps. While it is an excellent choice for a library addition, America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of North American Exploration is a joy to read and belongs on the shelf of everyone interested in the history of the North America.

J. Wilson Bowman has done an exemplenary job of providing a comprehensive resource for students, parents, counselors, and educational advisors. As a mentor for an At-Risk youth group in the San Francisco Bay Area, I will definitely recommend that all of our students and parents purchase and read J. Wilson Bowman's reference guide. I just wish that I had such an outstanding guide when I was in high school!!

It is the most complete resource on Historically Black Colleges. Anyone thinking of going to college should review this book, particularly African Americans. After working in many urban school districts, I found that most High School Students want information on all of the options available to them. To Parents, Educators and Counselors who want to provide a full picture of the eduactional landscape, America's Black and Tribal Colleges provides great detail.

This is an excellent resource book to have,because nowhere else can you find the information compiled the way that it is in this particular book. The author has obviously done his homework. There are colleges in this book that many people, myself in- cluded, did not even know existed. With so many people looking to get a quality education without having to own a bank to pay for the tuition, this is definitely a place to start!!

This book, in addition to the first volume, is an outstanding reference for coleopterists and general entomologists. It provides one of the most accurate keys for identification of families, and it comes with very well pics/draws to help the reader to identify the sp(p).
I highly recommend this book (PLUS volume I).

This book and its first volume are very useful both for amateurs interested in beetles, or for coleopterologist that seek a general handbook on beetles families.
Each chapter corresponds to a family, and have been written by specialist on that specific group.
The drawings could be better in some cases, but in general is a very helpful and user-friendly book on Coleoptera.

This bok provides an antomical key to identification of insect species. t is fun learning what is meant by the vocabulary! then research your species. For an inteelcetual but practical way to reach closer to an insect species, just beware that not all bugs are beetles.

History, a great story and an authentic historical craft! Not only that, but just the right size for girl-sized hands. A+++++++ Cannot be beat!

Nine-year-old Kaya and her family have traveled to the Big River to trade and visit with other tribes. While there, Kaya meets another girl her age, Spotted Owl, who is one of the River People. When Kaya looses a race against Spotted Owl, she becomes jealous of her. Her jealousy becomes even worse when Speaking Rain, Kaya's adopted sister, begins to spend time with Spotted Owl. However, Kaya must overcome her jealousy to work together with Spotted Owl during a crisis.

This was a nice short story that fans of American Girls books, particularly those who especially enjoyed the Kaya books, are sure to enjoy. It is historically accurate about what life was like for a young Nez Perce girl in 1764, and has beautiful illustrations and a nice message for young girls.

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Kaya'aton'my', a nine-year-old Native-American girl growing up among the Nez Perce people in 1764. In this book, when Kaya losses a footrace against a girl from another tribe, she becomes jealous; but things go from bad to worse when it turns out that this same girl has become friends with Kaya's sister, Speaking Rain. Eventually, though, Kaya realizes that her jealousy has gone too far, and when a crisis hits, Kaya learns that there is much to be gained by working together.

This is another excellent American Girl story. My twelve-year-old daughter is a great fan of Kaya, and I must admit that I like the stories as well. I like the lesson that Kaya learns in this story, plus I like the story and illustrations for themselves. This is a very good book, one that my daughter and I both highly recommend.

Every year, it seems as though Lacrosse is growing in popularity. With great enthusiasm, new teams are being added at every level. We are truly living in a Golden Age of Lacrosse. Yet, the game seems to be increasingly divorced from its Native American roots. "American Indian Lacrosse" is an essential book for all those are interested in learning where this Pre-Columbian game came from.

Thomas Vennum is a anthropologist based out of the Center for Folklife Programs at the Smithsonian Institute. Vennum has carefully mined both the historical texts and the more recent ethnographies to assemble the most complete story to date of Native American Lacrosse. He examines such important topics as Lacrosse and Indian spirituality and its historic role in warfare and diplomacy. "American Indian Lacroose" is a well written book, dense with historic and anthropological detail. It is a must read for people who want to understand the origins of the game they love.

Vennum's work covers a neglected aspect of North American history: the role of lacrosse in native culture. By examining varieties of the game played across the continent, Vennum demonstrates that it was more than just a sport. Lacrosse provided entertainment, served as a substitute for armed conflict (and sometimes was a precursor to it), and was part of native spirituality. Particularly fascinating is Vennum's ability to weave the sporting aspects of the game with the sociological. Also important is his investigation of how the majority culture has taken this game and turned into something completely different: with standardized plastic sticks and a for-profit motive for playing. By taking the story all the way to the present, the author reveals that to native Americans the game still means much more, although many nations no longer even know they once enjoyed playing the "fastest game on two feet." My only complaint, as a Canadian, is that Vennum appears not to know geography quite well, and he consistently refers to Canadian sites incorrectly. But, overall, this a wonderful book

I can't say enough good things about this book! I picked it up while at a book sale and immediately had to have it. It's full of photographs of American Indian teams and tells you the full story of Lacrosse/baggataway and you get so much more--it's an in-depth look at how it affected the peoples and tidbits about their daily lives. Interspersed between each chapter are short 'stories' about lacrosse events.

This is a great book, and a wealth of information. It's about more than just lacrosse. Don't hesitate to get this!