Indian Books

Dr. Houck's book, Indian Island is the tale of survival! It is a testament to the Monacan people's triumph over hardship and years of discrimination. A proud, yet gentle and kind people, the Monacans were among the many victims of the eugenics movement. Political powers wanted them to be forgotten and invisible, but Dr. Houck brings them back to the forefront of our collective conscience. As one who is privileged to know and associate with several members of this tribe and who has personally witnessed the discrimination they face still today, I applaud Dr. Houck, this book, and most of all this couragous group of people. Having finally achieved state recognition from Virginia, today they continue their struggle to gain the federal recognition which is long overdue. May America finally recognize the existence of its first residents!

Having been married to one of the Johns decendants (in Amherst County, VA), I must say that this is probably one of the most accurate depictions of life for the Monacan Indians as any I have heard. I would like to add that Dr. Houck was my daughters neo-natologist when she was born very prematurely...24 years ago!! If you enjoy this book, read MATOHE, written by Cathy Smoot Carson.

Peter Houck and Mintcy Maxham do a wonderful job of presenting a generalized history of the Monacan tribe. As with any generalized History study, consisting of one volume, covering centuries of time, and possibly thousands of individuals, the reader should not expect a complete detailed history of the tribe, but rather a jumping off point to further enhance his or her education of the Monacan past. While lots of specific details are missing, the major events are listed. This list of major Monacan occurrences, along with an ample Bibliography, gives everyone from the begining historical student to the advanced researcher many sources and avenues to approach the study of Monacan history and culture.

I've lived in Florida, and studied archeology, all my life. Mac Perry reported on many sites that I had never known about, plus added information on those that I'd already visited. An excellent book, with a clear, interesting style.

Indian Mounds You Can Visit is informative and very interesting. A must read for anyone interested in Florida's history.

The Author has a style of writing that bring the reader into the world of Florida's first people. He very eloquently puts forth his message of conservation and protection. This book is packed with information on the various cultural periods of Florida pre-history like the Weeden Island and Safety Harbor people.

This Medicis Prize('89) winning book is an exploration of the frontiers of identity within very ancient India. It may all be a dream as the "Author's Note" which precedes this 100 page text describes the narrative as an "insomnia" and a "search for a shadow". You can make of that what you like but those evocative sentences only partially set the tone for Tabucchi's book is a playful series of encounters that his unnamed narrator-protaganist has with fellow travelers and interesting Indian characters along the way to finding a missing friend. The several encounters read like enquiries, but pleasant ones, and ones with philosophical as well as humorous overtones(in one encounter identity is compared to a suitcase). Some of the sequences are so strange you think it all must be a dream as when a female thief breaks into the narrators hotel room only to be invited to stay the night. Other meetings are full of a very engaging and speculation rich kind of conversation as in the meeting with the Hugo and Pessoa quoting eastern intellectual. If it is all a dream it is a very literate one. The last meeting takes place in the old Portugese port of Goa and there the narrator meets a lovely charming stranger to share a dinner with as he waits for a chance to spy a glimpse of his old searched for friend. But as they eat the narrator relates his "story' in a way that makes one suspect there was no one and nothing to search for after all(modern fiction indeed it is). But you are left after putting this book down with a feeling of having had several intriguing conversations and having met a lovely woman. Not at all a bad feeling. An insomnia well spent.

The first time I read this book was when I also read for the first time Carrere's The Mustache - a fortunate accident as they both pose a question of identity. Tabucchi sets his tale in India in the form of an unnamed man trying to find a man, perhaps his brother, who has been missing for about a year. His search takes him to a brothel in Bombay, to a Bombay hospital, to the Theosophical Society in Madras, to the library of a religious order in Goa ... Along the way he encounters a dying Jain, a deformed saddhu/fortune teller, a former Philadelphia mailman, a photographer of human misery ... An interesting story, well written, with an unexpected ending. A movella well worth your time.

The traveller is someoene who is looking for a friend who got lost in India, but we realize very soon that he's actually looking for himself. A trip full of incredible encounters with people who are the soul of India, and places described in such a way that we could almost smell, hear and see what the author felt while he was there.

This book brings tribes together in picture & story. Beautiful images & rare findings from a respectable source, World Wisdom Publishing.

Each page is a poem ten thousand years long. You can never finish the book, because one page opens one hundred more books, and when you're done reading those you will find yourself on an endless journey that will only end-or perhaps begin anew-when you enter the spirit world.

It is a native belief system that began here, as all of us born in America did-and that has meaning. It is intuitive, yet tangible. Nothing about it is forced, and no symbol or person represents it. It is everything...and it is nothing. You can find its masters here...on this continent. It's not imported from China, Israel, Iraq, or Tibet. There are no human founders, prophets or leaders living or dead who are worshiped. No symbols to rally an army or angry mob behind.

In this book, our American ancestors give you a look across many different tribes, each of which has a remarkably similar spiritual essence, born of the land we inhabit. The deserts. The mountains. The rivers, forests and meadows. While I think it is neat to study other religions and philosophies, they all have men, symbols, houses of worship and styles of dress that identify and define them. How well you memorize, display, adhere to and pay homage to these things of man determines your piousness and how well you are accepted into to their community. Indian Spirit frees you from these things.

Perhaps one could study Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Sufism, Judaism, and other philosophies and religions that one respects to nurse out all of the best bits so one can create an amalgam for some personal belief system based on "favorite hits". But why bother? It's like searching endlessly through junkyards to scavenge parts that are only perhaps cosmetically better than the parts you already have on your car. Oooh...a chrome plated ash tray. Wow, a leather covered steering wheel. Nifty, spoked rims.

All the ingredients for a spiritual belief system that is in harmony with our country are here. Open its pages and discover your American ancestors and perhaps a new dimension to your own spiritual journey.

Featuring an introduction by Thomas Yellowtail, and now in a newly revised and enlarged edition, Indian Spirit combines spiritual and religious quotations from Native American leaders, individuals, and rituals with black-and-white photography. The result is a deeply spiritual collection that reaches out to share wisdom and insight to readers of all faiths. An inspirational and memorable invigoration of the soul, Indian Spirit carries the highest possible recommendation. "Our religion is the traditions of our ancestors - the dreams of our old men, given them in the solemn hours of night by the Great Spirit; and the visions of our sacred medicine men, and is written in the hearts of our people." -Seattle, Dwamish.

Lerner Publishing Group's new release THE INDIAN WARS:Chronicle of America's Wars by Carol H. Behrman is a fast reading, comprehensive history of the plight of Native Americans in the United States from the Age of Exploration to the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890. The author's accurate, well documented text is an easy read. Illustrations, page layouts, maps and sidebars inform and vividly bring to life those critical times, people, and events. Timelines, bibliography, source notes, and websites encourage further study.This is one of the best texts I've seen on this era - a must for elementary and junior high school libraries. You'll need duplicate copies of this fascinating book.

This book covers a great deal of material in a very engaging manner. It is written with a respect for the reader and makes this period come alive for any age.

I was totally absorbed as I read this beautifully written chronicle of the Indian Wars. As a teacher and author, I appreciate the talent of Carol Behrman who provides the reader with fascinating and comprehensive facts of history in a style that young people will find enjoyable as well as educational. The history is not slanted or distorted and the details of the destruction of the Native American nations are told objectively and honestly. Ms. Behrman's delightful writing, the many historical photographs and charts, and the superbly designed book is a "must have" for every library.

I bought the book after reading it in my public library because I think the illustrations provide considerable interest for children. I want my grandchildren to share my interest in these cultures. I like the format of the book and the writing is easy for children. I am not expert on Native American (Indian) culture, especially the more recent approaches to the subject but since childhood (some 60 years ago) have been interested in its standards of personal courage,integrity, personal self reliance and self discipline within a community organization. I want to expose my grandsons to the athletic abilitities as well as the excellent memories that Native American culture encouraged. This book does not emphasize the more violent aspects of the traditions. The material can be found elsewhere, but the illustrations make this book excellent for chiidren.

I bought this book at a library sale 3 years ago and I'm so glad that I did. We just went to the annual TX State Pow Wow and this book is the perfect follow-up resource for school. We will continue to use it each year as a starting point for further study into the Native American culture. My additional resource will be the book 500 Nations.

With a subject as narrow as Native Americans in a single and specific state, this book was very thorough. Subjects ranged from individual tribe appearance and dress to the specific foods and dwellings used by each. There are detailed maps showing which region each of the ten chief tribes inhabited while in Texas and what caused the disappearance of most from this state.

As a research tool for children I rate this an A+!

This mammoth volume (over 570 pages) truly is the Indians' own book. Natalie Curtis served as collector, editor, and arranger. The elegant and eloquent simplicity of the tales give testimony that these are the Native American's own words. Not only that, but since it was first published in 1905, these are the memories of chiefs, elders, and holy men that still remembered the old days and the old ways. Plus, the marvelous illustrations were all done by tribe members (except for the photographs) and really contribute to the overall magic of the whole. The songs are all authentic and are given in both English and the original tribal languages (with pronunciation guides.)

While not a comprehensive reference of all the tribes it does give a good range of peoples from the eastern coast, northern woodlands, plains, southwest, and pacific coast. The tribes included are: Wabanaki, Dakota, Pawnee, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Winnebago, Kwakiutl, Pima, Apache, Mohave-Apache, Yuma, Navaho, Zuni, San Juan, Acoma, Laguna, and Hopi.

This book is a great monument to all the peoples and their respective ways of life. It is proof that the social engineers and bureaucrats did not kill the spirit and culture of the rightful inhabitants of this land. As long as such a book exists the way back to the old, centered way of living can be tracked.

This is a moving book. Even Theodore Roosevelt was moved by the "depth and dignity" of Indian thought.

This is a monumental work of history. Thanks to the efforts of Natalie Curtis and other recorders in the early twentieth century, there are many songs and stories of American Indians which have not been lost. The 149 songs recorded (in their original language and in translation), the myths and legends, and the interviews are from tribes all over the United States. These groups include the Wabanaki, Dakota, Pawnee, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Winnebago, Kwakiutl, Pima, Apache, Mojave-Apache, Yuma, Navajo, Zuñi, San Juan, Acoma, Laguna, and Hopi. This is a reference book to be treasured.

Curtis begins this book with, "The Indians are the authors of this volume. ...... The work of the recorder (Curtis) has been but the collecting, edititng, and arranging of the Indians' contributions." The Indians' Book is a collection of "Authentic Native American Legends, Lore and Music".

At the turn of the century, this book was instrumental in a change of attitude towards Native Amaricans. Through it, we see the "depth and dignity or Indian thoughts" (Theodore Roosevelt) from a time when Indians were commonly viewed as little more than animals.

But I don't want to make this sound like a political statement. No, don't missunderstand, this book focuses on the legends and the music. Curtis has transcribed enough songs that you could almost call it a Fake Book of Indian Songs. I've already used many of the songs in this book as inspiration for some of my own compositions.

The towering 'INUKSUK' (ee-nook-sook) pictured on the cover of Mary Wallace's book introduces readers to a world of earth-bound 'signposts' in the arctic - - and MUCH MORE! In their varied forms the inuksuk may be intended as markers for caches of food, to advise hunters of directions, or to symbolize persons being memorialized. The last is an idea that could be used by students who want to follow the author's instructions for building a personal inuksuk. Another structure is shown serving as a road map to a traveler's next destination. It is not only a potential life-saver but makes a beautiful statement in the barren landscape.

Living in the Arctic means acquiring techniques for survival. Outsiders must acclimate themselves in a short time and this can be unsettling! For many decades the U.S. War Dept. funded studies in climatology, resulting in proper clothing & more nutritious feeding of troops. One more way in which we have benefited from the insights of our neighbors to the north.

"The Inuksuk Book" has many striking silk paintings with a gorgeous rainbow of colors that reflect the beauty of the 'Northern Lights' (Aurora Boralis). These inspire an admiration for the mystery of the far north. Contemporary photographs and those from earlier years also enhance the text. Teachers often expand a study unit to include Eskimo/Inuit art. How fortunate the young people who become acquainted with the figures beautifully sculpted from walrus tusks and soapstone. Amazing artistry is evident in works created during the long winters north of Hudson's Bay.

REVIEWER mcHAIKU marvels at the skills & imagination of the Inuit people and cheers author Mary Wallace for sharing.

This gorgeously illustrated book is one of the most appealing books I have read about the Far North. It highlights the ingenuity of a people who live in a demanding environment.

One of the things about the book I really enjoyed was the use of the Inuit alphabet to caption the beautiful pictures. There is a dictionary of sounds and words in the back, which can be used for kids to write their own names in Inuit.

There is also a guide to making your own Inuksuk in the back.

While hiking in the Canadian Rockies, we saw inuksuk along the trails. Their beauty and the fact that people had expressed themselves by creating art out of rock, rather than defacing the area, added greatly to our enjoyment of the outings.

When I found the book "Inuksuk," I immediately purchased it. After reading it, I purchased four more copies. "Inuksuk" can be read and looked at from many angles. It will be a perfect gift for friends with "soul" and for children who I hope will grow up with an appreciation of nature and art.

The marinades and sauces that are in this book make the most mouth watering barbecue that I have ever had. Most of the ingredients you can find in supermarkets. If you like a zing in your food, try this book out.

This was a fun book to read for me. The stories that were read made the visualization process much more appealing. A cookbook should not be just recipies, but an inspiration to the craft. For me, Island Barbeque has been an inspiration as well as good source of information. I have used it to make wonderfully hot jerk marinades and sweet and spicy ginger beer, among other fantastic dishes.

Last week 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.

Dunstan Harris' and Brooke Scutter's ISLAND BARBECUE is one of the books I kept. One because the recipes are so delicish, and two, because it's informative and well written. I like the way the author's tell you about and how to use the fuels used in barbacue -- charcoal briquettes, mesqjuite charcoal and other hardwood charcoals. I like the little essays, like the origin of sauces for example, but most of all I like the delicious recipes, like the "Spicy Barbecued Tuna with Mango Salsa". You just have to try that. A favorite of my hubby's is the "Spicy Jerked Steak". Actually he likes most of what I make him from this very fine cookbook and you will too, I'm sure of that.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

Excellent reading. Dr. Silliman brilliantly brings to light the world of four generations of women in her family. Not only has she presented excellent, affectionate, and enlightening portraits of these unique individuals, she gently teaches us about history, culture, and anthropology. The tales of these women reach from Calcutta through trade routes in Asia, Israel, London, and Jerusalem--ending up in Iowa. Best of all, these stories present the times and places through WOMEN's lives--these are stories that we do not hear in mainstream texts.

Silliman captures the essence of a forgotten group. She has taken a topic barely touched on and attempted to educate the world about it. In my opinion, she has succeeded, this would be one of the best books I have ever read. Buy it today!

Jael Silliman has written an excellent, scholarly book on the Jewish community in India. . Her descriptions of her family elders show her love and respect for them and yet she is sensitive and kind and most of all truthful and honest. As a member of the Baghdadi Jewish community she does not put down the other Jewish Communities in India to prove her community's superiority, as several Baghdadi writers have done. Instead, her excellent book builds bridges among these Indian Communities. Ms. Silliman has done her research and her writing style is a pleasure to read.I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
Samuel Daniel
Senior member of Bene Israel Community living in the USA.