Spider Woman's Web: Traditional Native American Tales About Women's Power [Paperback]

Susan Hazen-Hammond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

Ancient storytelling meets modern psychology--in the most unique and inspiring book for women since Women Who Run with the Wolves.

In the Americas, the oral tradition has created one of the oldest surviving bodies of literature on earth. Native American storytelling, in particular, stands out for its distinctive honoring of womanly power and the female forces of the universe.

Gathered here are traditional versions of stories and songs that best portray this strength and vitality. Illuminating the scope of human behavior--from treacherous mates and medicine men to magical sages and murderous mothers--these tales offer universal truths. And for readers who wish to explore the transformative healing gifts of these stories in a more personal way, each is accompanied by thought- provoking exercises and meditations. Also included are brief introductions to provide historical and cultural context.

Entertaining, educational, and inspirational, this collection of timeless wisdom will shed light on the lives of readers for generations to come.

* For readers of the bestselling Women Who Run with the Wolves and the Starhawk books
* Inventive combination of ancient wisdom and modern self-help
* Includes stories from many Native American traditions, covering a cross-section of tribes and regions across the country
* From the author of Timelines of Native American History
* Includes practical exercises and inspiring meditations
* Each story includes an introduction (establishing its historical and cultural context) and a special icon (for tribes and regions)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Storytelling is an ancient art, yet it is as poignant today as it was a millennium ago. North American native storytelling in particular offers numerous legends that echo contemporary feminine struggles and desires. This relationship was not lost on Susan Hazen-Hammond, who gathered this expertly retold collection of brief stories that include magical sages, feminine healers, murdering mothers, and reluctant women warriors.

At the end of each chapter, the author offers exercises and meditations that help women relate these mythical stories to everyday life. For example, following a selection of warrior stories, Hazen-Hammond encourages women to imagine themselves as warriors. She then examines how the warrior metaphors and archetypes lend themselves to the experiences of the modern workplace. In another section, "The Quilt of Men's Eyes" (named after a Seneca tale), Hazen-Hammond explores the age-old story of women stifling their creative longings to appease the men of the tribe or because of male fear of feminine power. A generous section in the back titled "For Further Reading" and a thorough index make this a useful reference book as well as an intriguing read. --Gail Hudson

About the Author

A former professor at Peninsula College, Susan Hazen-Hammond is the author of Timelines of Native American History and seven other nonfiction books, numerous articles, short stories and poems. She has received high praise for her writing on Native American subjects and has also taught a wide range of psychology courses. Her ancestors include Abenaki men and women.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1st edition (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399525467
• ISBN-13: 978-0399525469
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,177,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great book - but what are the sources?, October 24, 2000

By 

Sarah Deer "Mvskoke Thinker" (Saint Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spider Woman's Web: Traditional Native American Tales About Women's Power (Paperback)

I had been looking for a book like this for some time and was so pleased to finally find a compilation of native stories about women's power. Unfortunately, this book does not identify the origin or source of the stories (other than naming a tribe). With so many questionable nu-age "native" books out there, it is important to know the authenticity of these stories. It would help to know where the author gathered the various stories -- whether she interviewed elders, researched older documents, or some other method.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointingly nu-age, July 22, 2009

By 

D. Santiago - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spider Woman's Web: Traditional Native American Tales About Women's Power (Paperback)

I picked this book up because it shares a similar title with a book of womens stories called 'Spider Womans Granddaughters', and upon first glance it appeared to be either a continuation or a related book of stories. Unfortunately this was the farthest thing from reality.

Most of the stories in this book are watered down versions of the stories that they are aiming to tell, and were one to tell these stories in the company of others who knew other versions, it could prove very embarrassing.

The authenticity of the rest of the stories became suspect for me, when the stories which are fairly common knowledge were twisted in such a way as to use them to forward the Noble Savage myth/ ideal, and to perpetuate a set of beliefs that are not necessarily true, accurate or useful.

The questions are leading, overly touchy feely and over explain the stories in an attempt to guide the reader to the authors already pre-determined conclusions about the intentions of the story. A prime example being The Woman Who Fell From the Sky, significant portions that don't contribute to the readers perception of the heroines persona are excluded and other aspects completely altered. Significant details are missing, which create the balance of the story, leaving it polarized and creating a cut and dry Mother Goose and Grimm good and bad guy, rather than illustrating the depth and interplay of the forces within the story. To see such an awesome and colorful story flattened to yet another supergirl story was just sad. Bits and blurbs, and dirty ditties season the book in an effort to keep the reader believing the picture the author is trying to paint.

These stories are not being used to teach tradition, standards of behavior or anything else - unless one is seeking to reaffirm what a special little snowflake floating through a sea of fire they are.

I was incredibly disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good tales with thoughtful insights, October 4, 2008

By 

Julie T. (Ypsilanti, MI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spider Woman's Web: Traditional Native American Tales About Women's Power (Paperback)

The tales are wonderful and I really like the questions she has at the end for you to reflect on. It makes a very unique book.