The Indian Tipi: Its History, Construction, and Use [Paperback]

Reginald Laubin (Author), Gladys Laubin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1989

As The Indian Tipi makes obvious, Plains Indians are both practical people and natural artists. Their inventions are commonly both serviceable and beautiful. The conical tipi of the Plains tribes can be pitched by one person. It is roomy, well ventilated at all times, cool in summer, well lighted, proof against high winds and heavy downpours, and, with its cheerful fire inside, snug in the severest winter weather.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Reginald and Gladys Laubin, his late wife, have devoted their personal and professional lives to the preservation and interpretation of American Indian dance and culture. They are recognized authorities on and performers of Indian dances and ceremonies. In 1972 for their contribution to dance they were presented the Capezio Dance Award, the first ethnic dancers to be honored with this highest award of the dance world. They were presented the Catlin Peace Pipe Award by Red Dawn, Sioux. They are the authors of The Indian Tipi: Its history, Construction, and Use and American Indian Archery, both published by the University of Oklahoma Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 343 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr (Trd); 2 edition (August 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806122366
• ISBN-13: 978-0806122366
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and very complete., October 17, 1999

By 

Wilderness Guy "Darrel" (Clarksville, IN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Indian Tipi: Its History, Construction, and Use (Paperback)

Besides providing all necessary details on the materials, construction, setting up, and maintenance of a tipi, this book also provides comparisons with alternate designs and why one might be better than another, and gives advice on varying the size to fit your needs. It provides all the essentials, including adjustments for various seasons and types of weather (rain, snow, and wind), layout of living and sleeping space, furniture, storage of supplies, fire building, cooking, recipes, brain tanning, making parfleche containers, and moccasins. Plus it includes a few words about a native ceremony to properly dedicate the new lodge, and describes tipi etiquette for hosts and visitors. Lots of photos, drawings and detailed diagrams are provided.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent resource!, November 17, 2002

By 

heartLove! (left coast! USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Indian Tipi: Its History, Construction, and Use (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

using this book helped me immensely when it came time to raise my own tipi! using only the book and my woefully average construction skills, i easily put up my 22 foot diameter tipi in the northern california woods in a few hours with minimal assistance, the first try!

the other parts of the book offer fascinating aspects related to tipi living, history and culture. a must read for any tipi enthusiast!
great!
heartLove, the electric tipi hippy!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Allows us to feel like true aficionadoes, November 12, 2001

By 

Karl F Heiss (Seattle, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indian Tipi (Mass Market Paperback)

The wealth of information included by the Laubins, and their heartfelt respect for the American Indian, permeate this book. Many tipi construction books these days are written by would-be hippies--but the Laubins come across as the real thing. They had real contact with the tribes who made the various designs and they understood the distinctions between them. Better yet they have done an excellent job at getting these techniques across to the reader. An excellent resource for our business and home pursuits alike and the only book on the subject we recommend.