The Land Looks After Us: A History of Native American Religion (Religion in American Life) [Paperback]

Joel W. Martin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Religion in American Life | Publication Date: February 22, 2001

Native Americans practice some of America's most spiritually profound, historically resilient, and ethically demanding religions. Joel Martin draws his narrative from folk stories, rituals, and even landscapes to trace the development of Native American religion from ancient burial mounds, through interactions with European conquerors and missionaries, and on to the modern-day rebirth of ancient rites and beliefs. The book depicts the major cornerstones of American Indian history and religion--the vast movements for pan-Indian renewal, the formation of the Native American Church in 1919, the passage of the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act of 1990, and key political actions involving sacred sites in the 1980s and '90s. Martin explores the close links between religion and Native American culture and history. Legendary chiefs like Osceola and Tecumseh led their tribes in resistance movements against the European invaders, inspired by prophets like the Shawnee Tenskwatawa and the Mohawk Coocoochee. Catharine Brown, herself a convert, founded a school for Cherokee women and converted dozens of her people to Christianity. Their stories, along with those of dozens of other men and women--from noblewarriors to celebrated authors--are masterfully woven into this vivid, wide-ranging survey of Native American history and religion.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A political history of Native American religion....An especially interesting story is that of Cherokee Catherine Brown, who chose to become a Christian....The author gives us a picture of an incredibly rich faith life."--KLIATT

About the Author

Joel W. Martin is at University of California, Riverside.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195145860
• ISBN-13: 978-0195145861
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Tribal & Ethnic
  • #19 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Native American
  • #89 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > History

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Did not follow the title topic, February 6, 2010

By 

Clifford Benson (Snohomish, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Land Looks After Us: A History of Native American Religion (Religion in American Life) (Paperback)

Poorly written, and did not deal with the subject topic. Rambled more about the plight of the native american in the 19th and 20th century. Expected to learn about the basis of native american religion...it was not there.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Had to read this for a religion class...., February 6, 2010

By 

A. Neogy (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Land Looks After Us: A History of Native American Religion (Religion in American Life) (Paperback)

This book provides a rudimentary knowledge of the religion and impact religions have had on the Native American people's since the 1500s. Although the book has some well written sections, such as that on the peyote religion- the majority of the book was disorganized and poorly written. Often choppy, the book lacked structure- and even though it is a short novel- it's often wordy in some parts, and lacking details in others. I would not waste even $1 on this book, unless it is a required reading for school, like it was for me.