Customer Reviews

The Pollen Path: A Collection of Navajo Myths

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Prefaced with a new biographical introduction by the author's son, James Schevill and wife Margot Blum Schevill, The Pollen Path retells twelve classic Navajo myths translated directly from her interviews of Navajo medicine men. The stories are enriched by line drawings of Navajo artist Andy Tsihnahjinnie and commentary by Dr. Joseph Henderson on Navajo myth and legend in relation to world mythology. Further embellishing this reissuing of the 1950 publication is the biographical material written by James Schevill. There is no doubt that Margaret Schevill Link led an unusual life. Her drive to seek out the authentic content of Navajo sacred tales has left us with a treasured legacy of recordings. In addition to the tales, there are many songs and chants in the appendix, plus multiple observations of the author from her many visits to the Southwest. She wrote: "The pollen path is the way between gods and men, and it expresses the harmony that should exist between them." This sacred way fascinated her and seeking it shaped her life. A contemporary, Wright, Henderson, Woelff, and Lorenzo Hubbell, trader, nurse, and philanthropist to the Navajo and Hopi tribes, Margaret Schevill Link translates the great Navajo tales of the First Worlds, the Turquoise Goddess, Changing Coyote, Earth Man, the Dreamer, and many more. The Pollen Path is a fine and beautiful collection of myth, worthy of pleasure and learning on many levels.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer