Land, Wind, and Hard Words: A Story of Navajo Activism [Hardcover]

John W. Sherry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2002

In the early 1990s anthropologist John Sherry lived with Leroy Jackson and Adella Begaye, leaders of Diné CARE, a Navajo organization dedicated to protecting the environment and its links to Navajo culture. Land, Wind, and Hard Words is his account of the founding, activities, and evolution of Diné CARE, whose original mission was to protect the Navajo forest from the ravages of industrial logging. Sherry's intimate account of the daily lives of this group of activists reminds us of the threats facing local communities and the people trying to defend them. Not least among these threats are the many demands of the "outside world." From meetings with lawyers or do-gooder environmentalists to the cutthroat world of fundraising, every encounter with outsiders affects the work, draining time and resources away from direct participation with the community and even affecting the way activists think.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Because of his friendship with the Jacksons, Sherry was on the scene during the aftermath of the mysterious death of Leroy Jackson in 1993. His vivid account of the resulting journalistic feeding frenzy and heightened conflict on the reservation adds an unusual dimension to this intimate and unpretentious story.

About the Author

John Sherry currently works at a research and development lab in Hillsboro, Oregon, where he studies the relationship between people and technology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press; First Edition edition (March 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826322816
• ISBN-13: 978-0826322814
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,453,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly accurate and insightful, May 29, 2002

By 

Jim Sambone (Longview, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Land, Wind, and Hard Words: A Story of Navajo Activism (Hardcover)

Dr. Sherry's unique humor and his insighful wit made this book a pleasure to read. It's obvious that Dr. Sherry is a man of values, courage, and spontaneity. I applaud Dr. Sherry for his efforts in really bringing to light the activism portrayed in the chronicle. While Sherry's other works were "farcicle," this one has all the makings of a gem.

My only concern is that this book is repetitive and obligatory at times. Dr. Sherry, you might want to be aware of this in future publications.

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling and beautiful storytelling, April 3, 2005

By 

K. Fisher (Santa Fe, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Land, Wind, and Hard Words: A Story of Navajo Activism (Hardcover)

This is a beautifully crafted personal account of the early years of the Navajo environmental justice organization Dine CARE (Citizens Against Ruining our Environment), which has worked for more sustainable forestry practices, protested the siting of toxic waste dumps near native communities, and fought for restitution for Navajo uranium miners. The author demonstrates an admirable awareness of the feelings and motivations of the community and individuals he is describing, while remaining conscious of the limitations inherent in his perspective as a white outsider.

"Land, Wind, & Hard Words" interweaves the narrative of how members of this community came together to found Dine CARE (including descriptions of some of their early struggles against government and industries) with excerpts of Navajo legends and more academic commentary on topics such as the disconnect between such grassroots groups and the fundraising system that claims to want to support them.

Anyone interested in the environmental justice movement will find this book a rich source of information on its potential and challenges. Anyone interested in native issues, Navajo history, or the Southwest in general, will find it a compelling story. I encourage everyone to buy this book - all royalties go to support the ongoing work of Dine CARE.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dazzling, May 9, 2002

By 

"joepti" (Pawtucket, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Land, Wind, and Hard Words: A Story of Navajo Activism (Hardcover)

Excellent read on fascinating topic. Kudos to Mr. Sherry on writing a book that is academically rigorous yet accessible at the same time.