Customer Reviews

The Rock Art of Arizona: Art for Life's Sake

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THE ROCK ART OF ARIZONA is an absolutely beautiful book, something you want to hold and investigate joyfully and unhurriedly. Gorgeous photography and superb graphic design invite frequent re-visiting and lingering delight. But it is much more than a visual treat. It tells a story. Ekkehart Malotki is either an artist who thinks like a scientist, or a scientist who feels like an artist. Just as in two of his previous books, TAPAMVENI and STONE CHISEL AND YUCCA BRUSH, the writing is concise, informative, and helpful for those who want to appreciate the artists and cultures that made these beautiful, ancient images.

I live in both Virginia and Colorado, and drive back and forth two or three times each year with dog and various family members. Malotki's books always come along, both ways. They are big books, but they still make the trips back and forth between the East Coast and Colorado to remain within easy reach in each house. In the past three years I have bought many dozens of books on rock art and archaeology. These beautiful books by Ekkehart Malotki are the very best I have. I tell everyone I know that if they are going to buy just one book on rock art in the American Southwest: get one of Ekkehart Malotki's. If you are going to Arizona, this is THE choice. Better than five star!

"In addition to stunningly beautiful photography of the petroglyphs themselves, Malotki's book presents one of the best and most level-headed, scientifically based summations of what American petroglyphs may represent that I have read anywhere. Malotki is well versed not only in petroglyph studies in the U.S. but worldwide; and he puts the specific rock art works he shows and discusses into the widest context. For anyone interested in southwestern petroglyphs, and in world rock art, this is a very good read with truly brilliant photography." G. Frank Oatman, Jr., retired college professor and serious amateur student of rock art.

I congratulate Dr. Ekkehart Malotki on the publication of his recent book, The Rock Art of Arizona: Art For Life's Sake. The spectacular photographs and comprehensive review of the rock art of Arizona as presented in this book gives the rock art of Arizona the attention it rightfully deserves. For those interested in gaining more knowledge regarding the rock art of Arizona, this book is a 'must have' for your library.

Arizona is home to one of the largest and most diversity collections of rock paintings and engraving known to archaeology. These artistic expressions and pictographic communications are principally the work of paleo-indians. Author and rock art enthusiast Ekkehart Malotki has compiled more than 384 photographs in "The Rock Art of Arizona: Art For Life's Sake", a 200-page introduction to the functions and meanings of rock art so far as archaeologists can decipher them. Intrinsic works of beauty, often in peril of vandalism, "The Rock Art Of Arizona" is a timely, seminal, and invaluable contribution to the growing library of information on this unique from of human expression. "The Rock Art Of Arizona" is a strongly recommended addition to academic library Native American Studies reference collections, and will prove to be of immense interest to non-specialist general readers with an interest in Native American Art, as well as North American Archaeology.

Dr. Malotki's book is a comprehensive and beautifully designed overview of the wealth and diversity of Arizona's precious rock art heritage. A visual treat, it is profusely illustrated with spectacular photos and drawings, and accompanied by informative, compact prose that combines for a fascinating journey into Arizona's prehistory. Five stars!

Chris Gralapp, MA