Customer Reviews

Spirit and the Flesh: Sexual Diversity in American Indian Culture

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A throughly documented and detailed historical and socialological account of American Indian society's andorgynous Benache, sex and sexual interactions. This book takes you back in history to understand how the Benache fit in the Indian culture and how that culture's sexual norms were very inclusive and accepting of what our society would label "diverse" people and actions.The historical prespective includes the invasion of european westerization and "Diversity-cide" of the indian culture.If one wants to be spiritually awakened to the possibility that our culture's (society) rules and norms aren't natural and that there are (were) societies where diverse individuals can feel good about themselves then this is the book for your soul.You'll feel good about yourself after reading this book. It might not specifically relate to you but you'll see that maybe we're headed back in the right direction

Finally, I found a book that speaks the truth about my people. It is extremely rare to find books that cover the issues of the two-spirit people. Williams does an amazing job of fully researching the topic . . including living with/among the people he interviews. Read this book!

Let's clear one thing up: Author Walter Williams is not advocating man/boy love simply by discussing it in this book. He goes out of his way, in fact, to distinguish between societies with man/boy love traditions and the role of the Berdache in various native american societies. He correctly notes that the man/boy cultures are generally "warrior" cultures where women have low status, whereas the Berdache role is both feminine and esteemed as such, and only possible in a society where women's culture is esteemed. Reviewer "Gemini Walker" should read more carefully...
Anyway, Williams' emphasis is on how many native American tribes had a respected, religion-based role for feminized males in their society. That said, I caution that if you're looking for a purely scholarly work, this isn't it; while well-researched, this book is also seasoned with Williams' flights of fancy about what might have happened between men in "fringe" cultures like Carribean Pirates and Wild West Cowboys. I admire Williams for making no secret about his bias, but I find his portrait of the Berdache somewhat idealistic, and unhindered by the dissapearence of its tribal context. I found myself plagued by questions of practicality regarding the role of the Berdache on a modern reservation. I also wish that he had explored parental attitudes towards their feminine-inclined male children in strongly self-identifying native american households which practice their tradional religion vs. parental attitudes of european-descent parents with strong attachment to their religion who also find themselves raising an effeminate male child.

This is a MUST read for every gay man or woman! It should also be on the reading list for all people. We can learn so much from the American Indians and how to love and accept people for who and what they are and what God made them. A wonderful read and study guide to gay life.

I found the book to be of great worth - enlightened to the real history which was never recorded in the history books. Our American History is a lie because of Social acceptance. When so many cultures have embraced the truth about life - puritanical and ignorant religious teachings have robbed us of true life and acceptance of nature. I am proud to be an American but I am not proud of what Religious fright has done to us as a whole. Why are we so afraid of the religious? Who are they? Why do we bow to their every word? - I commend the author for telling us the truth. If anyone has any sense they will study history and see where religion has been used to control the minds of individuals throughout the past while other cultures have embraced what nature has created. Darwins Theory? or the Bible - which can be proven by geology and science. Miracles or proof! Fear or knowledge! You be the judge for yourself. Great job - great book of truth - FINALLY!

awesome... Thank you so much for the book... it was in great condition... I would do business with you again...

If you have an interest in those of born as "two spirit" people you might like this book... i would think only those so intertested would even check it out... (this would leave out many including all those who consider themselves fundamentalist in the religious sense)... but for the rest of humankind... i recommend the book....

This is one of the best books you can find on this subject matter

This book is fascinating, yet troubling. I attribute what troubles me to the obvious bias of the author, and yet -- it certainly made me think. Not so much as to how much of what the author says is true (and the rest of what he speculates); but how I feel about such speculation seeing the light of day. At the same time, I am not an advocate of censorship in any way. Perhaps these thoughts need to be available in order to make us aware of how people can make the erroneous connections about the gay movement that they do. I think a book like this does more harm than good. Homosexuality does not equal man/boy love. This author would suggest that it does.