Looking at Totem Poles [Paperback]

Hilary Stewart (Author, Illustrator), Norman Tait (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

This work gives a historical, cultural, and artistic account of the ancient craft of totem poles that has grown to be a symbol of the Native Americans of the Northwest Coast.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This newest book on Northwest Coast art by a widely published author in the field ( Cedar: Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Indians , Univ. of Washington Pr., 1984) is primarily a guide to 110 specific totem poles located in British Columbia and Alaska. It also contains a number of short opening chapters that provide an excellent, concise introduction to the poles for the lay reader; Stewart's thorough understanding of the subject shines most brightly in her discussion of iconography. The guide section offers a detailed drawing of each pole; identification of its location, carver, and style; and a brief explanation of the meaning of the figures on the pole. Highly recommended for public libraries because of its accessibility to general audiences and for academic libraries as a reference source on individual totem poles.
- Dr. Eugene C. Burt, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295972599
• ISBN-13: 978-0295972596
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tour of the Northwest, September 4, 2001

By 

Kellyannl (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking at Totem Poles (Paperback)

This is absolutely essential for anyone going to British Columbia or Alaska. It gives a brief description and explanation of almost all the important outdoor totem poles you'll come across, taking you through the poles figure by figure. I found it invaluable when in Victoria's Thunderbird Park and Vancouver's Stanley Park and Museum of Anthropology. A real gem you'll read over and glance through again once you're back home.

40 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent reference on the northwest art form, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Looking at Totem Poles (Paperback)

No frills, no gimmicks, just an excellent written and graphic profile of totem poles as a symbol of a North American people. Allows you to enter a community where beliefs in the earth, sky, oceans, mountains and animals continue to be spiritual.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monuments to a culture, October 3, 2010

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Looking at Totem Poles (Paperback)

Everyone knows what a totem pole is;but how little do we really know about them.Totem poles to the West Coast Indians are as indicative of an ancient culture as are the statutes of Easter Island or the standing stones of the Celtic Peoples.
This book does an excellent job of explaining what these poles are all about,why they were erected,what the figures inscribed on them meant and why it is important that they be protected and continue to be displayed.
This book includes details about 110 that exist and are easily accessible in British Columbia and Alaska.
"Each pole,shown in a beautiful detailed drawing,is accompanied by a text that points out the crests,figures and objects carved on it.Historical and cultural backgroubnd are given,legends are recounted and often the carver's comments or anecdotes enrich the pole's story.Photographs put some of the poles into context or show their carving and raising." It would have been a simple matter to just include a photograph of these poles,but one would never have been able to give the clarity that results from the drawings provided.The only minor criticism that I have with this book is that the poles were not really given their just due with color.This is certainly suggested with the rich colors on the cover photograph.
Going through this book brought back a memorable visit I had with Mongo Martin in the summer of 1955 or 56.A friend and I were strolling through Stanley Park about 2 or 3 a.m. when we came across a display of Totem Poles (see page 81).While admiring them,we noticed a long shed or building ,resembling the ones shown on pages 100 and 172.We noticed a light coming from a window,rapped on the door and were invited in by none other than Mungo Martin ,mentioned many times in this book.He talked to us for an hour or so as he continued to work on a massive pole.He told us how they would find poles back in the forest,often badly deteriorated,and that he would carve a replacement to be erected again.As he worked, he explained a lot about the history and significence of the poles and the figures carved on them.My friend who was from Quebec and I who came from Nova Scotia, mentioned that there were Indian native to our provinces,but we had never seen Totem Poles back east,and he explained why.It was a great visit and we both left with small carved canoe paddles that he made and signed for us.He would have been about 74 at the time,and passed away a few years later in 1962 at 62.
The book is profusely illustrated,though only in B&W,gives directions for the locations of all the poles,has an extensive Selected Reading list,188 pages and includes an very good Index.