Indian Books

The Real Jerk is my fave restaurant in Toronto. We live in Hawaii and whenever we hunger for authentic Jamaican food, we rely on this book to put together whole meals. We love that it offers advice on which recipes mix & match to make the ultimate meal, plus everything is super easy to cook. The ingredients are easy to shop for and don't have you hunting down obscure ingredients. You can pick up everything at the local supermarket. We've been to Jamaica and these recipes are as authentic as it gets. Definitely buy this book!

Lily and Ed Pottinger own and operate The Real Jerk, a premier Caribbean restaurant in Toronto, Canada. In The Real Jerk: New Caribbean Cuisine, the Pottinger's draw from their more than eighteen years of experience to compiled list of helpful cooking tips, as well as recipes from sauces, salsas, dips, and dressings. Then they go on to showcase outstanding recipes for fish and seafood, meat and poultry, side dishes, breads and snacks, drinks and desserts. Of special interest is a section devoted to Menu Ideas. From Cool & Creamy Carrot Salad; Mashed Coco & Codfish; Jamaican Pot Roast; and Stewed Cow's Foot; to Sweet Potato Balls; Baked Bananas; Easter Spice Buns; Coconut Pudding Surprise; and Ginger Beer, The Real Jerk: New Caribbean Cuisine is a welcome and highly recommended addition to multi-cultural and ethnic cookbook collections.

The Jerk phenomenon in Toronto started at this sunny little place on the corners of Broadview Avenue and Queen Street East. True to the original recipes all these years later, Ed & Lily Pottinger create the best darn jerk around! The cookbook really shines in its inspiration for home cooks. Simple and quick, sizzling and fiesty!

The other day I went through my cookbooks, to see if I could weed some out, because I have too many to mention. It's hard getting rid of a cookbook, especially one with a few recipes in it that you've come to love. But I've scanned the recipes I need to keep forever into my MacBook. However, there were an even dozen I couldn't part with. These are books I turn to time and time again, even though I consider myself somewhat of a gourmet chef.

THE REAL JERK is one of the books I kept. Okay, so Lily and Ed's book is based on the recipes they serve up in their Toronto restaurant and not on, say, the recipe for doubles you might find a vendor selling at the outdoor Port of Spain vegitable market. So maybe this is Caribbean cuisine served up nouville with a Canadian twist, that's okay, because the meals made from this book are simply to die for. For example, I'm not a big fan of mussels, but the "Mussels in Coconut Sauce on page 74 of this delightful book will simply curl your toes, they are so good. And if you've ever wanted a recipe for flying fish (I know I have), then there is the author's "Fried Flying Fish" dish on page 61, ummmm, ummmm good.

One recipe I've used quite a lot, because it's my hubby's favorite starter, is the "Crunchy Shrimp Salad" on page 41. It is so easy to do and it tastes divine. And if you follow the shrimp salad with a main course which includes the "Honey-Glazed Baby Back Ribs" on page 83, you'll have a meal which will make any man swoon and I know, because I've made hubby Dub swoon a lot.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

This book caused me to feel the whole gammot of emotions--from excitement to disappointment to fear. It drew me in and captured my attention with its unexpected twists and turns. Unlike other books, taboo topics are essential to character development. This is an insightful look into the delicate balance of maintaining multiple relationships throughout the course of life. I couldn't ask for anything more from a book.

Without question, the very best book I ever read. You can not but it down nor can you stop thinking about it. This is a POWERFUL book. You will be moved and your foundation shaken but your life will be richer. This is a must read.

I am a voracious reader and in my late 20's. I have just finished Red Earth White Earth for the second time. The richness and poignancy with which the characters are developed is perfectly juxtaposed with that of Weaver's descriptions of the harsh but deeply beautiful Minnesota farmland. A magnificent story of what is natural in and around all of us.

For many reasons, this is the best book I've ever read. Not only does the story take me through a gamut of emotions, but I love Will Weaver's writing and descriptions. He describes everyday things in ways that sound unique and lyrical. I have read this book several times and enjoy it more each time. Don't miss out on this one!

This book is simply the best and one of the only books on the Indians of Brazil and Uruguay and the conquest of them. This is an amazing wide ranging study from the missionaries to the slave trade to the many indian nations in Brazil.

A terrifically comprehensive history of the impact of European settlement on the native population of Brazil. Hemming has introduced a style and content that makes this as much a story book as a formal text book. The brutal and tragic consequences of the meeting of two extremely diverse cultures are brought to life in this book, with the greed and self-righteousness of the Portugese settlers set against the innocence and primitive nature of the indigenous 'Indians'. Anybody with an interest in the history of Brazil would find this a truly fascinating read.

The story of how the Portuguese came to rule Brazil takes us to the "Pope Line" of Alexander VI, which split South America into two pieces. Most of it fell within the Spanish hemisphere, but, as fate would have it, the eastern slab (roughly, where Brazil is) went to Portugal. Given the absence of mineral deposits, the colonists resorted to exploiting human population. The tale of Brazil's conquest is a grim story of progressive accretion, acre by acre, tribe by tribe, with only the Jesuits serving to moderate the excesses of the colonists. Needless to say, the Jesuits were soon eliminated as a threat (this is depicted in the Morricone film "The Mission") and the Brazilian interior given over to plunder. Hemmings also takes us through the Dutch and French interludes, wherein Portugal stood to lose its dominions to these interlopers. There are few heroes on the European side in this epic, however there are a number of brave tribesmen who succeeded, always temporarily, in holding back the advance.

A terrifically comprehensive history of the impact of European settlement on the native population of Brazil. Hemming has introduced a style and content that makes this as much a story book as a formal text book. The brutal and tragic consequences of the meeting of two extremely diverse cultures are brought to life in this book, with the greed and self-righteousness of the Portugese settlers set against the innocence and primitive nature of the indigenous 'Indians'. Anybody with an interest in the history of Brazil would find this a truly fascinating read.

I really enjoyed each of the Ella Clah series and forwarded them to my daughter in North Carolina. When she finished with them she passed them on to her daughter. 3 generations have had good clean reading enjoyment.
I grew up near the area so that makes the reading even more enjoyable as I picture the different areas.

I felt that I knew the people being written about. I didn't want to put Red Mesa down. I am buying more of Aimee & David Thurlo's books.

They don't come much better than the Ella Clah series. The authors keep this book on a personal level so that you feel you know and understand the character. You feel her pain and her joy. One isn't enough. Buy them all.

Navaho Police Special Investigator Ella Clah and her cousin, police officer Justine Goodluck loudly argue in public over a recent incident. When a few days later, Justine's burnt bones are found partially buried on the top of RED MESA, everyone, including some members of her own family, conclude that Ella killed Justine. Even Ella's beloved mother believes her daughter has turned evil and wants to protect her infant grandchild from her.

While Ella flees to buy time and the truth behind Justine's murder, the law chases after her even more convinced she is an escaping killer. As the law gets closer to capturing her, Ella begins to unravel a plot to eliminate her. Will she be able to expose the dastardly scheme before her time runs out?

The fifth Clah entry is a great tale because the talented duo, Aimee & David Thurlo never lose sight of the scheme or the personalities of the cast. Even on the lam, Ella remains Ella, as fans know her. The plot works because the "plot" against Ella still retains plausibility even with the villains known early in the tale. The Thurlos talent resides in deep and thorough characterizations that lift their Native American police procedurals to a plane shared by the likes of Hillerman.

Harriet Klausner

Here is how the dispossession of the Utes really happened. Should be required reading in history classes. Fascinating account. Highly recommend!!

"Red Twilight: The Last Free Days Of The Ute Indians" is a remarkable eye-witness testament to the plight of the Ute Indians. Val FitzPatrick was born January 4, 1886 and lived to the age of 102. All his life was spent in northwestern Colorado and gave him an intimate knowledge of the Northern Utes (especially the Whiteriver band) after their encounter with the white man's culture. FitzPatrick provides the modern reader with a window into a yesteryear of the western frontier during the time of white settlers displacing the Utes from the homelands. This is an account more accurate and compelling than those of the newspaper journalists of the day were able to print. Very highly recommended for personal and academic Native American studies collections, Red Twilight is enhanced with a rare oral history by one of the Ute warriors who fought in the Battle of Milk Creek; excerpts from the diary of early cowboy Wils Rankin (nephew of Joe Rankin, scout of the ill-fated Major Thornburg); and a special section describing life on the Uintah-Ouray Reservation in the 1950s and 60s.

Red Twilight: The Last Free Days Of The Ute Indians is a remarkable eye-witness testament to the plight of the Ute Indians. Val FitzPatrick was born January 4, 1886 and lived to the age of 102. All his life was spent in northwestern Colorado and gave him an intimate knowledge of the Northern Utes (especially the Whiteriver band) after their encounter with the white man's culture. FitzPatrick provides the modern reader with a window into a yesteryear of the western frontier during the time of white settlers displacing the Utes from the homelands. This is an account more accurate and compelling that those of the newspaper journalists of the day were able to print. Very highly recommended for personal and academic Native American studies collections, Red Twilight is enhanced with a rare oral history by one of the Ute warriors who fought in the Battle of Milk Creek; excerpts from the diary of early cowboy Wils Rankin (nephew of Joe Rankin, scout of the ill-fated Major Thornburg); and a special section describing life on the Uintah-Ouray Reservation in the 1950s and 60s.

This book is unique - it tells the story of the removal of the Ute Indians from a sympathetic viewpoint, and by one who was there. Val FitzPatrick was a settler in northwest Colorado when the Utes were displaced into Utah and forced from their ancestral homelands. The real story is different from what white history records.

Well written, great reading, and fascinating first-hand stories. If you like reading about the West and its history or American Indians, you can't go wrong here. The author was there and is a great writer. He personally knew the Utes. Winner of an award from the Utah Humanities Council and used in their diversity program. I also highly recommend FitzPatrick's other book, "The Arbuckle Cafe: Classic Cowboy Stories."

I worked in the Lower Pecos region with a group of students last summer, and had the honor of meeting Carolyn Boyd. She took time to give our students personal guided tours of the cave paintings, and they were enthralled. She is a gifted communicator, and passionate about her work. These same qualities come through in her book.

The first time she saw these paintings, she was an artist with no experience in archaeology. Her art background allowed her to see what others had missed; the myriad elements were part of a single canvas, composed by a single artist, invested with purpose and meaning. At that moment she held insights the 'experts' lacked, but she did not have the credibility or credentials to convince anyone. Rather than giving up, she went back to school and got her PhD in Anthropology, writing her Doctoral Dissertation on this cave art. She is now recognized as the world's formost expert on these paintings.

Rock Art Of The Lower Pecos by Carolyn E. Boyd (Executive Director of the archaeological research and educational nonprofit Shumla School) offers an expert and in-depth analysis of the rock art created four thousand years ago in what is now southwest Texas and northern Mexico. New interpretations and hypothesis concerning these mysterious yet evocative images left behind by hunter-gatherers of millennia ago fill the pages of this fascinating guide, which packed from cover to cover with the latest up-to-date findings, as well as an anthropological wealth of insightful ideas from a wide variety of experts and schools of thought concerning the uses of the art and the intentions of the ancient artists. Black-and-white as well as full color illustrations embellish this thoughtful and strongly recommended study.

Carolyn Boyd has done an outstanding job with Rock Art of the Lower Pecos! This excellent literary work clearly explains the rock art through extensive ethnographic research and analysis. Her contribution of this book is a landmark acheivment in the field of anthropology. I highly recommend this work to anyone with an interest in historic art or culture.

This author takes research on rock art and makes it concise and understandable for all of us who are interested in rock art in the Americas. But more than that, she takes us to the next level and gives us a basis for understanding WHY the images were produced in the first place and what function they served for the culture. This is must reading for anyone who wants to understand these images and who wants to go to the next level in understanding rock art world wide.

Interesting book. It features the memoirs of a
Jewish woman and describes a Jewish
community living in India.

It seems that even before the destruction of the second temple, Jews were trading and settling in southwest India. If you look on a world map, you'll see it was because India and Israel are not really that far away from each other by sea. It turns out that India was good for the Jews. Because of the region's tolerance for ethnic diversity--the Indians saw Jews as just another cast--a Jewish community flourished in Cochin for thousands of years, without prejudice or pogroms. Women had much more equality within the Cochin Jewish community than they have had elsewhere. Anthropologist Barbara Johnson first met Ruby Daniel, one of the outspoken members of that community, when she visited Cochin in the 60s and formed a deep friendship that continues today, although Ruby, now in her 80s, has immigrated to Israel with most of the community (even the synagogue was transported, thanks to wealthy American benefactors, and is now on display in the Jewish Museum). The book is told in Ruby's marvelous voice and is a fascinating tale. I gave it to my mom as a gift and she loved it.

Deftly written with the assistance of Barbara C. Johnson (Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Ithaca College), Ruby Of Cochin: An Indian Jewish Woman Remembers is the personal memoir of Ruby Daniel, a Jewish woman born in the East Indian community of Cochin in 1912 and educated at a convent school, and then attending St. Theresa's College. In World War II she served as a member of the Women's Royal Indian Navy, and subsequently immigrated to Israel in 1951, and currently resides on an Israeli kibbutz. Ruby Of Cochin is a rich and engaging autobiographical story enhanced with historical legends, folk tales, and women's songs in the local language of Malayalam. Highly recommended reading, Ruby Of Cochin is a simply fascinating window into one woman's life in East India.

its one of the fantastic reveiw of the jewish life in india and particulary cochin, unknown to the jewish people around the world even in israel

As a long-time student of social and personal change methodologies, I find that most attempts at guidance give you a bunch of by this time well-worn insights and exercises, and skip over the hardest part--how to work, in real-life, with the underlying attitudes that are the real determinant of how and whether you can more skillfully engage your challenges. Boyce and Gimian manage to both present and make accessible a profound understanding, and at the same time give a sense that they live in the same neighborhood I do--a place where magical solutions and quick fixes are seen as hucksterism. This in my experience is a rare combination of vision and practicality, and the kind of authentic voice I hope we all hear more of.

The Rules of Victory is the real thing. The Sun Tzu (The Art of War) text, the topic of this book, is a unique treasure of wisdom from ancient China. Set in the context of military action, the Sun Tzu has long been recognized as providing profound insights into how to accomplish any objective amidst the inevitable conflict and chaos of the real world. The core concept of `taking whole' offers the vision of accomplish objectives without destruction and without perpetuating conflict. The Sun Tzu is definitely the real thing.
The authors of this book, James Gimian and Barry Boyce, are also the real thing. They have been immersing themselves in the Sun Tzu for more than twenty years. They spent many years translating the Sun Tzu into English from the original Chinese. The publication of their translation (The Art of War: The Denma Translation) is widely recognized as among the best currently available. The entire translation, by the way, is included as an appendix in The Rules of Victory. For a number of years Gimian and Boyce have been conducting workshops and seminars on the Sun Tzu. Through these teachings experiences they have honed their ability to articulate the view, practice and action of the Sun Tzu and present the principles in an organized and understandable manner. They have also been able to collect numerous stories from workshop participants and others about how the Sun Tzu has been applied to the challenges of every day domestic and work situations. The Rules of Victory provides us with access to these stories as well.
Most of all, the Rules of Victory brings the reader into a conversation with the authors and with the Sun Tzu text itself. In this conversation we are privy to the depth of thinking the authors have developed, far beyond simplistic cookie-cutter solutions. The conversation is inviting, stimulating and humorous. Gimian and Boyce clearly want us, as readers, to be able to join them in exploring and applying the Sun Tzu in our day to day world.
If you are looking for a sane and profound approach to working in the world, you have found it in this book. The Rules of Victory is the real thing.

There are lots of Sun Tzu translations. There are also lots of books applying it to a variety of circumstances: sun tzu for women; sun tzu for sales; sun tzu for whatever and on and on.This is the first book I have read that makes you grasp that the wisdom of Sun Tzu is not in bites of practical information but as a way of seeing, a guide to framing the world, a worldview. For it to work, it must be baked into your awareness. The book is literate and fluidly written. Its Big Idea: conflict will come and we will survive contact with it if we understand how all is interconnected., rejecting Western dualisitc thinking. Chapter 6 gives real world, practical applications. A book to be read and re-read.

What I most admire about this book is that it refuses to give quick fixes: the wisdom it teaches is far too important for that. And subtle. If you want a set of seven maxims to maximize your product growth, stay away. But if you want to transform your understanding of how business (and every other conflictual situation) works, you'll be deeply rewarded by the careful, thorough presentation you'll find in this book. Gimian and Boyce take us through the view (meaning outlook or perspective of the Art of War), the practice (learning how to bring this view to bear on situations) and the action. The result is a teaching that will, as the subtitle says, "transform chaos and conflict" into situations of victory. Highly recommended!

I am very pleased with my order. The book was in excellent condition and was swiftly delivered.

Thanks!

As a young American Indian woman, reading PGA's book was like finding my own personal bible. Finally, someone who was telling me the same things about myself that my mother had taught me. Excellent chapters like "The Red Roots of White Feminism" and "When Strong Women Throw Down Bundles" are not to be missed. PGA your my shimasaani!

Being a white male (although one who's interested in Native American literature) certainly influenced my reaction to this book. That said, I think it's invaluable reading--probably a "must read" for those really interested in the field of Native American studies. I found it extremely interesting and useful. I also found it unsettling and even offensive in places. In spite of attacking white culture for reducing everything to ethnocentric formulas (a point she illustrates very persuasively), Allen seems to me to do the same thing throughout the book. While criticizing white academics for robbing Native Americans of thier complexity as individuals, she tends to see every possible issue through a polarized perspective--Native American=Good, White culture=bad. Doesn't this, in fact, rob Native Americans of their complexity as individuals and lead to the very romanticizing that Allen objects to?

Still, as irritating as I find this reductive way of arguing, I have to admit that this is a very valuable book.

This white feminist found The Sacred Hoop eye-opening and mind-expanding. While I cannot presume to be able to truly understand tribal thinking, I nonetheless found the concepts and philosophies described here to be completely pertinent to my place in existence. I am struggling to realize my place in a multifaced, complex web-world and have never felt comfortable with the typical feminist need to stand out in the foreground. It is also very empowering to see that there have been many versions of woman-based cultures. Unlike those in Crete, for example, tribal cultures were fully functioning in North America less than 500 years ago! It is unfortunate (though not at all surprising, given the difficulty of writing about concepts in the language of the patriarchy) that this gospel of hope and renewal is not reaching many, many people--especially our young people in colleges and universities. Don't take this wrong, Paula Gunn Allen, but you go, girl!

As a student of Natural Spirituality I had acquired many books on Native Traditions which were lost (stolen) to me. This text was the first on my list to be replaced. Powers, himself calls his work a beginers lexicon of the Lakota language which makes it worthy in itself. His work extends beyond that with excellent insight into the song (music) which is a vital ingredient to the sacred traditions of the Lakota. He has an academic's passion for varification with other sourses which will provide a viable list of sources for future studies for those who appitite is only wetted with this volume. He is more of an academic than student,so be aware that it isn't light reading nor is it a 'how to guide to indian religion'. It is a well documented guide to basic belief system of the Lakota through his comprehension. While not complete, he has a sound basic understanding of 'the Sacred' to share with his readers

This is not for someone just trying to get a grasp of the general ideas of Lakota spirituality. This is a very detailed scholarly work about Lakota language as is it used by spiritual leaders and the meanings implied. If you are looking for something spiritual or emotional this probably isn't it, if you're looking for something more cerebral and you are a serious student of the Lakota then this is a must read.

I found this book to be excellent. It was informing and inspiring. It provided a lot of clarity about past experiences of participation in American Indian ceremony. I was especially amazed at the information about chanting, rattles, and drums. Although less interested in the subject, I was impressed by the clarity of differientiating between shaman and priest. Much of the information is very useful, in practical application for anyone who even marginally participates in the American Indian spiritual path. I am deeply grateful for this book.

This excellent discourse was produced by a man who lived with and learned from the old learned men of the Lakota, the "wicasa wakan", the "spiritual men".

Not for the casual reader, this book is great scholarly reading for those who strive to understand the very essense of religious thought.