Customer Reviews

Taino: Pre-Columbian Art and Culture from the Caribbean

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I consider this book the most complete on the Taino's art and crafts. The collection presented here was gathered from all over the world and represents all the islands of the Greater Antilles. Yet, it is not merely a "coffee table book" full of great pictures. The authors of the essays included represent some of the most important researchers of the Caribbean. Ricardo E. Alegría's essay "An Introduction to Taino Culture and History" is the best summary of this ancient people's way of life. This was a real achievement for the Museo del Barrio and Monacelli Press.

This book is a must for anyone who has an interest in the Caribbean and pre-Columbian art and culture. In addition to scholarly essays on specific aspects of Taino culture, there are many beautiful images and line drawings that explain patterns and sybols found throughout Taino art.

This book was an incredible read. The pictures are absolutely riveting. As a Dominican, I am proud of my culture and reading this book will do the same from you. I refer to this book so often just to look at the beautiful images, I guarantee that you will do the same.

Here, the interested reader will find an unparalleled account of a great people sadly wiped out by greed. This book is the foremost reference on the people and culture from the carribean. Nowhere can there be found a more complete account. No other book can compare to what one can learn from this book. This is by far the best book I have found on the subject of precolumbian culture in the Carribean!

The book is based on El Museo del Barrio which resurrected the Taino culture for native New Yorkers in the late 1970's. It is a must read on the Taino people and culture. The color prints of the artifacts and the English translation of archive material brings one closer to what the Taino people were.

"Taíno: Pre-Columbian Art and Culture from the Caribbean" is a great collection of some of the most beautiful objects of the Caribbean Taíno. It is a necessity for any who is interested in Greater Antillean Pre-Columbian history for this reason.
Still, for the more specialized audience some of the papers will appear to be a bit outdated and therefore it is not a recommended read for archaeologists that hope to abstract some information that can be of help in a wider archaeological debate from its pages. On the other hand, even over a decade after its initial publication, there are not yet any works that are so widely available that give such a good introduction to Taíno culture.

As a Taino artist this book is like a bible to me. Lots of pictures, essays and informative bibliography.
Thanks,
[...]

Great book on a subject matter that is difficult to find. Wonderful photos. Fast delivery in excellant condition.

Great photos of Taino art. Ricardo Alegria is listed as the author but apparently he's just a contributor. Good thing, since decendants of Tainos could have an issue. Those who know understand what I mean. It's a shame that most of the Taino art is held in private hands because it should be more accessible to the public, especially to those of us with Taino roots. This book is second best.