Native North America (Civilization of the American Indian) [Paperback]

Larry J. Zimmerman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Civilization of the American Indian | Publication Date: October 15, 2000

With abundant photographs, more than 160 in color, Native North America illustrates tribal life, sacred arenas, spiritual traditions, and artifacts of the indigenous people of North America, from the Inuit of the Canadian north to the Navajo of the American southwest.

Beginning with a brief history of Native Americans, Larry Zimmerman and Brian Molyneaux explore individual culture areas, region by region. They discuss Native American spiritual observances, including personal and communal rituals, initiation rites, and curing ceremonies. Through descriptions of the powwow, rites of passage, plant rituals, oral storytelling, dreams, the ghost dance, and the drum, the authors provide a sensitive introduction to Native American spiritual traditions and examine issues that face Native Americans today.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Zimmerman, chair of the American Indian and Native Studies Program at the University of Iowa and author of Peoples of Prehistoric South Dakota, and Molyneaux, director of the University of South Dakota Archaeology Laboratory and author of The Sacred Earth, have written a thorough introduction to the Indians of North America. Similar to Sherman's The First Americans (Smithmark, 1996. o.p.), this title covers the history of the Native Americans and their spiritual traditions and rituals, but it doesn't overlook the importance of current issues. Heavily illustrated with 165 color plates and containing high-quality maps and a glossary, this inexpensive volume provides an excellent overview of a topic that is covered in much greater detail in the Smithsonian Institution's multivolume Handbook of North American Indians. Highly recommended for public libraries.DJohn McCormick, New Hampshire State Lib., Concord
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Larry J. Zimmerman is Chair of the American Indian and Native Studies Program at the University of Iowa. He is author of Peoples of Prehistoric South Dakota and coeditor of Indians and Anthropologists: Vine Deloria, Jr. and the Critique of Anthropology and South Dakota Leaders.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press; Revised edition (October 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806132868
• ISBN-13: 978-0806132860
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Native North America Review, November 13, 2000

By 

Geraldine C Parker (Cupertino, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Native North America (Civilization of the American Indian) (Paperback)

Great overall introduction to the indigeneous peoples of North America. Author succintly covers the basics. Have used this book in American Indian World Views class for a number of years as a required text. Highly reccommended as an introductory overview of topics fom identity through creation stories to current issues, etc. Gerri Parker, Chair American Indian Studies De Anza College

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vividly illustrated, very highly recommended, January 23, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Native North America (Civilization of the American Indian) (Paperback)

Larry Zimmerman and Brian Molyneaux successfully collaborate in Native North America to illustrate tribal life, sacred arenas, spiritual traditions, and artifacts of the indigenous peoples of North America, from the Inuit of the Canadian north to the Navajo of the American southwest. After a brief introductory history of Native Americans, individual aboriginal cultures are explored, region by region. The informative surveys include Native American spiritual observances, personal and communal rituals, initiation rites, and curing ceremonies. The reader is provided informative descriptions of the powwow, rites of passage, planting rituals, oral storytelling, dreams, the ghost dance, and the drum. Of special note is an examination of issues facing Native Americans today. A very highly recommended title for students of Native American studies and history, Native North America is vividly illustrated with more than 160 color photographs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, March 25, 2009

By 

H. Quade "harryq" (Baltimore,MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Native North America (Civilization of the American Indian) (Paperback)

I bought this book on sale at B&N, and gave me a chance to look through it before buying it. Although I mainly was going to buy The Shaman book, since I study shamanism for anything that could help evolve to spiritual as a clairsentient, I was also interested in Native American Spirituality and history. This book is awesome! It covers all that one would need to know without having to buy so many books just to get little information. It covers different tribes, areas, beliefs and practice, history of first people and conflict caused by whites, awesome photos, quality book, well up to date of present conflicts and progresses. This book is the only book for me, it covers all that I was seeking to know.