Native American Myths and Legends [Hardcover]

Colin F. Taylor (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1995

200+ color illus. 10 1/4 x 11.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Under the direction of Taylor ( The Native Americans ), nine experts here survey Indian cultures in nine regions of North America. Each essay is organized by topic: origin, all-powerful spirits, heroes and monsters, holy places and sacred rites, revered animals, rituals and ceremonies. Passed down by oral tradition, myths were not simply entertainment--they established rules governing conduct between people and the natural world, serving as a code of behavior and a medium of instruction. The authors provide a wealth of information within a broad framework. We learn, for example, that an important taboo among Arctic peoples forbidding contact between land and sea animals results in the rule against eating seal and caribou the same day. The illustrations depict artifacts, ceremonies, paintings and people.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-Taylor divides North America into nine areas of cultural similarities: Southeast, Southwest, Plains, Plateau and Basin, California, Northwest Coast, Subarctic, Arctic, and Northeast. Different experts in their fields look at the origin myths, all-powerful spirits, hero creatures and monsters, holy places and sacred sites, revered animals, and rituals and ceremonies of the native peoples of each region. The format helps students make comparisons or gather concise yet detailed information; the beautiful illustrations promise browsing pleasure.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Smithmark Pub; First Edition edition (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083176290X
• ISBN-13: 978-0831762902
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,426,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)