No Word for Time: The Way of the Algonquin People [Paperback]

Evan T. Pritchard (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 157178103X | ISBN-13: 978-1571781031 | Publication Date: March 1, 2001 | Edition: 2

No Word for Time has garnered superlatives from reviewers and influentual Native American figures, who have declared it one of the finest books on Native American spirituality ever written. Evan Pritchard, a descendent of the Micmac people (part of the Algonquin nations), aimed to learn more about his own native traditions through studying the language of the Algonquin, the key to their worldview: "They don't write in metaphor, they speak it; they don't recite poetry, they live it." The tribes collectively named "Algonquin" once occupied large stretches of North America, and their influence on our culture is vast. This edition includes a new index and afterword; a pronunciation key to the Algonquin language; a comprehensive map of the Algonquin world; a list of the major Algonquin nations and what they call themselves; and the Seven Points of Respect for Native American Ceremonies.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

New afterword & updated appendix.

From the Author

Evan T. Pritchard is currently Professor of Native American history at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Council Oak Books; 2 edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157178103X
• ISBN-13: 978-1571781031
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Notice to Readers About the New No Word For Time, March 1, 2001

By 

Evan Pritchard (Woodstock, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Word for Time: The Way of the Algonquin People (Paperback)

I just wanted to notify readers that the new revised and expanded No Word For Time is coming out this week. It has a different ISBN number because of the new material. I have added a 17 page Afterword section that goes more into depth about time, and also what has happened to the people in the stories (including myself) since the book was published. In order to adapt to modern life, many Algonquin speaking people have adapted words to mean "time" but traditionalists have always made a strong point--to me at least--that "there is no word for time" in traditional ways of speaking. This fact is a metaphor for those who wish to make a distinction between themselves and what some call the "dominant" culture, although I am well aware that many Algonquin people don't want to hold on to this view, thinking that someone might call them primitive. To each their own. As I've said many times, I think that Einstein would have a deep appreciation of Algonquin concepts of time. The new edition also has a 20 page listing of different Algonquin nations and sub-tribes, listed by related language groupings. There are over 500 included, but it is far from complete. All My Relations! Evan Pritchard

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars response to critics of Evan's linguistic "errors", September 24, 2007

By 

bookworm "snerk" (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Word for Time: The Way of the Algonquin People (Paperback)

Not knowing where your information regarding the linguistic "errors" comes from, I can't refute your claims. I can however defend his choices by clarifying how he came by them. Our family grew up infuenced by a dear aunt who loved, and lived, her NA ancestry. Not the way so many do now, learned from books, without personal knowledge or understanding, but by living with the earth and its creatures and following the few traditions she had been shown. Evan, as did many of us, followed in her footsteps, researched our ancestry, and Evan took it even further, by going to the NA people and asking for guidance, for knowledge, for truth. Perhaps his dictionary doesn't match yours, or his perceptions aren't what you see as "true", but he loves and lives his pride in our ancestry every day. I would take what he's written as his truth, as he was taught by those who are Miqmac, over any book written by an observing anthropolologist any day.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book of wisdom and a happier time, March 9, 2000

By 

amc (SF) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Word for Time: The Way of the Algonquin People (Paperback)

I was really touched by this exploration of the Algonquin people and their history. It really brought home to me how cluttered our lives have become and that we need to take time out to appreciate the beauty in the world. The author's interaction with real Algonquin people showed in a very direct way the connection we can all have. If you liked the Four Agreements you'll love this book.