Customer Reviews

The Hopi Survival Kit: The Prophecies, Instructions and Warnings Revealed by the Last Elders (Compass)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I read this book in preparation for a three and a half day trip to Hopiland a couple of years ago. What an eye-opening surprise. Thomas Mails has an awkward, rushed quality to his text, but I forgave him for stylistic rough spots in light of the urgency of his message that Hopi prophecy must come to light. How do the Hopi respond? With groans. With anger and resentment. I spoke to at least a dozen Hopi, all of whom consider Mails an intruder, one who invaded their culture and plundered it for his own profit and professional advancement. 'There's a pattern to what he does,' they pointed out. 'Mails finds a so-called 'last living repository' of traditional wisdom, interviews him and presents this material as speaking for the whole tribe.' Dan Evahema is one, and there are others who have been the sources of Mails' wanderings. Dan Evahema did not hold a position of authority among the Hopi; he just happened to be available for the interview. There are clan distinction which Mails does not recognize in his book which mean quite a lot to the Hopi, who in fact don't wish these clan distinctions to be anybody else's reading material in the first place. I wasn't prepared for the thoroughly disgusted reaction to this book among every single Hopi I met. 'Nuff said. It reminds me of Vine DeLoria's point at the end of chapter one of _Custer Died For Your Sins_, in which he says he would like to see a cultural leave-us-alone treaty.

Regardless of writing style, as a Native American woman who practiced her Medicine on Third Mesa in Hopi for years I assure anyone who wishes to find the true Prophesies will find them in this book bearing Dan Evemhema's signature. Strictly for profit books on the subject, however beautifully written would not contain such pure renditions of the Prophecies, as strictly for profit books on the subject are not a part of Hopi Religious Culture. Don't be fooled. The Elders were very aware.

Dont be put off by the other reviews, they disuade you from reading an extreemly important message just because the style of writing isn't to their taste. Read it yourself and make your own judgement, i found the book very inspiring and enjoyed reading it.

As for Mails being regarded as an outsider and not speaking for the hopi, the reader should have read the book more closely as this issue is addressed in the book. No one Hopi could ever speak for all of them, as their views are so divided. Thomas Mails and Dan Evehema are traditionalists who are trying to pass on an ancient message. The progressives may not like this, or the book, but they can have their opinion, and you can have yours. This book will help you make up your own mind.

I agree that the style of writing was difficult, but i feel the content is far more important. If only more people in the world listened to the message the book conveys, i believe it would be a better place.

Read the book, don't be put off by those who try to dissuade you.

This book seems fundamentally wholesome in content, as does the Hopi way of life it describes. The author clearly has great conviction and you can't help but be touched by the history of decline and interference experienced by these peaceful people.

The style however can be deeply irritating in places. Construction of arguments / ideas is usually not cohesive and Mails often doesn't seem to have a point. He does acknowledge his limitations in this respect.

You could argue all day about much of Thomas Mails' personal opinions, but if you have patience, you see a man who wants the reader to look at their life and do something better with it, for the benefit of all people.

If you are not monotheistically inclined the best way to read this book is to take much of it metaphorically and apply that to whatever spiritual path you happen to be on.

I like Mails' "Mystic Warriors of the Plains" - it's in a prominent spot on my Southwestern display shelves. Don't bother with Survival Kit - read Frank Waters. "The Book of the Hopi" and "Pumpkinseed Point" are amazing expressions of the Hopi legends and world view, at once spiritual and scholarly. Frank was nominated several times for the Nobel, but never won (judges said he was "too regional" - politics in action).
When you're ready for the full dose of Native American spirituality, married masterfully with the teachings of the likes of Jung and Evans-Wentz, get "Mexico Mystique: The Coming Sixth World of Consciousness." It's a challenging read, but if you're not a dilettante, and want to look past the surface of NA spirituality, it's huge. For those reviewers who want something to live their lives by, it has a serious message, with prediction attached.

While I am very sympathetic to the Hopi Elders and consider their message for the world important, Thomas Mails does his cause a grave disservice with some of the worst writing I've ever seen. Despite my interest in the subject, it was a great struggle to make it through the author's awkward intrusions, irrelevant personal speculation, Christian evangelizing, and general rah-rah spirit. Mr. Mails should learn that it takes more than enthusiasm and uncritical acceptance to be convincing. If you're looking for a "good news" message in the evangelical sense, a lot of Doomsaday paranoia with a dash of Nostradamus thrown in, this is the book for you. On the positive side, when Mails does stand aside and let the Hopi speak (all too rarely), it goes a long way toward compensating for his excesses. A less frivolous version of the prophecies is available from Shambala Press, and if you're interested in the general issue of traditionalist vs. tribal council dynamics among native peoples, Peter Mathiessen's In the Spirit of Crazy Horse is an excellent, well-written source

This is one of the worst written books I have ever tried to read. I am very interested in the subject matter and tried really hard to complete the book (I especially tried to read it cover to cover as the author kept emphasing to do). I finally resorted to skipping ahead to different sections to try and find the meat of it. I guess there is some info in the book, but it is drug down so hard with a whole, lot of empty impressions of the author. I felt as if the real substance of the book could easily have been condensed down to a mere handfull of pages. The author kept making references about how important the msg in the book was, but just couldn't bring himself to sharing it with the reader!!!. Well, there is info in the book, but it sure is hard to try and extract it out of the endless ramblings of the author.

This book was a waste of time and money. I found myself asking how a well respected publisher like Penguin could have possibly published this book. Did they read it first? Mails comes across as profoundly unintelligent and completely incapable as a writer. Page after page I begged for a point to be made. It almost read like a rambling, never ending diary. There are plenty of other books that touch on the similar aspects of Hopi religion. Don't make the mistake of choosing this one. on behalf of the white people with a conscience, I apologize to the Hopi for this book having been published.

I was very excited to read this book when I first found it. Native American religion and culture is something that interests me and I enjoy reading about it. However, this book is not very interesting and definately not exciting. The text seems to jump around frequently and the author never seems to come to any conclusions. The author must feel that the reader has no common sense when he points out obvious similarities between Hopi beliefs and Chrisianity. Also, this book appears to continuely repeat the same information. In summary this books simply drones on and is a chore to read.

Interesting, but weird. Have an open mind, or don't bother. The politics of the book got me fired up. Some of the mystical content left my jaw hanging open.