Maasai [Hardcover]

Tepilit Ole Saitoti (Author), Carol Beckwith (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (August 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810980991
• ISBN-13: 978-0810980990
• Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 10.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #365,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > History > Africa > Kenya
  • #84 in Books > History > Africa > Central Africa

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book!, May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maasai (Hardcover)

Extremely well written and the pictures are just incredible! I went to Kenya last year and met several Maasai during my safari; this book captures every facet of their intriguing life. If you don't think you will ever make it to Africa and are interested in the ways of life of the Massai, then this is the book for you.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the "prized" books of my library, May 26, 2002

By 

Andrew Olivo Parodi (Oregon, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Maasai (Hardcover)

This book is beautiful. It has beautiful photography, and beautiful text by a man who is of the Masai tribe. I was sad, however, to read that the author of the text (Tepilit Ole Saitoti) says that the Masai way of life is destined for extinction. Though this is inevitable for most indigenous peoples.

Tepilit Ole Saitoti's commentary and insight into his people really make the photographs come to life (the cover photograph is of the author's brother). This is not so much a book as it is an experience, aided by its "over-sized" coffee table format book that gives you the feeling of "stepping" into the beautiful Kenyan landscape. Reading this beautiful book is the next best thing to being able to visit this beautiful land and see these fascinating people in person (which is something I hope to do at some point in my life). What a beautiful land the Masai live in!

Anyone interested in this book would probably find OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT interesting as well. OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT is written by Malidoma Some of the Dagara tribe from Burkina Faso, in West Africa. It is the story of Malidoma's escape from a missionary school (he had been kidnapped), journey back to his village as a teenager, and initiation into the Dagara tribe.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly acurate portrayal of the Maasai and their culture, January 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maasai (Hardcover)

Maasai, is a wonderful book. It is filled with colorful and vivid photographs. In addition to the incredible photos, the book shares the sheltered Maasai culture with the outside world. This book provides the reader with an unimaginary view of the "tall, proud and aristocratic" tribesmen. Upon completion, you will appreciate their culture like you never imagined possible.