Encyclopedia of Native American Healing [Hardcover]

William S. Lyon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0874368529 | ISBN-13: 978-0874368529 | Publication Date: December 1, 1996

In Encyclopedia of Native American Healing, the extensive entries span topics such as renowned healers throughout history in the various cultures; societies and divisions into which healers were categorized; sacred objects employed in healing rituals and how each was used; the different types of healing ceremonies conducted; plants used to increase healing powers; symbolic motifs used in healing rituals; major concepts that form the healing traditions; and major scholars of Native American healing.

This reference work will appeal to the interested layperson as well as students of Native American cultures.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lyon (social welfare, Univ. of Kansas) here offers an excellent overview of shamanic healing, a topic that has been largely ignored in the reference literature. How Native Americans used medicinal plants is not treated, but to compensate Lyon includes an ethnobotany bibliography with 44 citations. Alphabetically arranged entries include the tribal origin of the topic as well as a culture area, which is keyed to the 15 maps so that readers can identify the location of a tribe's territory. One notable omission from the Southeast map is the Seminoles, whom the text repeatedly locates in that culture area. Recommended for academic collections in anthropology or Native American studies.?John Burch, Cumberland Coll. Lib., Williamsburg, Ky.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

William S. Lyon, Ph.D., is a research associate at the University of Kansas at Lawrence. Dr. Lyon's field research has concentrated on Native American shamanism and sacred ceremonies. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 373 pages
• Publisher: ABC-CLIO (December 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874368529
• ISBN-13: 978-0874368529
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,587,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A great tool to other resources of information, June 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Native American Healing (Healing Arts) (Paperback)

I originally purchased this book to see if I liked Willian Lyon style of writing before purchasing the Encyclopedia of Native American Shamanism.

I have enjoyed this book. It does duplicate itself sometimes but that will happen when dealing with so many different tribes in one book. It is amazing the simularities and difference in how different tribes treated the same illness. The personal accounts gave the book a spiritual and ancestral aspect. Even though it has a lot of information it does not read like a textbook. This book is a keeper for me. It will be a great help for me in researching many things dealing with animal spirits and herbal medicines. If you are using the book to look up something specific it is best to go to to index. Most of the entries are listed in different languages. If you are interested in Native American Teachings and Spirituality. Read the book cover to cover. It is great way to find out what your interest are and use the bibliography to expand your knowledge. Once a person gets past the language barrier there is a historical and mystical quality to this book. It takes on a life of its own if you have an open mind.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedia of Native American Healing, September 9, 2008

By 

Marlene Franklin "M. Franklin" (Newark, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Native American Healing (Healing Arts) (Paperback)

Very Information. Shows that the natives had knowledge of natural medicine way before the europeans arrived here.