The Book of the Hopi (Paperback)

by Frank Waters (Author) "The first world was Tokpela [Endless Space]..." (more)
Key Phrases: kachina people, kachina house, gray flute, Bear Clan, United States, Two Horn (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (June 30, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140045279
• ISBN-13: 978-0140045277
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,092 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #10 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Native American
  #16 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Special Groups > Native American Studies
  #29 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology > Folklore

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the Most Complete Compendium of Hopi Information, November 20, 2001

By	Cynthia Sue Larson "www.realityshifters.com" (San Francisco bay area, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Frank Waters' excellent BOOK OF THE HOPI is probably the most complete collection of Hopi stories, language, rituals, and photographs in one place. Waters wrote this book with assistance from thirty-two Hopi elders back in 1963. Much time has passed since then, and while the way of the Hopi remains mostly unchanged, access to their sacred ceremonies and rituals has been greatly reduced in the last several decades.

While BOOK OF THE HOPI was written through the eyes and ears of an outsider, it contains much of the spirit of the Hopi, and countless fascinating insights. One such example is the explanation of how one sacred ceremony (the Ya Ya) was profaned and is no longer performed, since much of its powers were taken for evil. "When you receive a wonderful power and use it for evil you lose the power. You have to use it for good to keep it."

I love the richness of information contained in this little book: symbols, the tablets of the clans, a glossary of Hopi words, thrilling tales about the creation of the worlds, and detailed descriptions of sacred objects such as the Paho (prayer-feather). This attention to detail is marvelous, but it's the heart of BOOK OF THE HOPI that makes me feel at home with the Hopi and at one with their spirit.

I give this book my highest recommendation.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Hopi book., July 16, 1997

By A Customer

*** Michael Johnson *** Ever since my first visit to the mesas I have wanted to know more about the Hopi people, their culture and their beliefs. On of the best books I have found (coming from a non-Hopi) is "Book of the Hopi" by Frank Waters and published by Penguin Books, 1963. This book covers the origin of the Hopi, the four migrations, the origin of the clans, ceremonies etc. It is a book for anyone interested in learning more about the Hopi people. Thought you might wish to include it in your book list.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History and Culture of the Hopi, August 29, 2000

By	DaK "DaK" (USA) - See all my reviews

This book is my first exposure to the historical, spiritual and cultural history of the Hopi, both prehistoric and modern. A must read for anyone interested in the honorable traditions of the first American inhabitants whose history predates that of European biblical history, and how the introduction of the European has completely altered their ritualistic practices. This book has opened my eyes to a people whose lives are rich in dedication to the preservation of peace for all living entities on this planet and throughout the cosmos.

Who this book is not for is the UFOlogist, Hollow-Earth and Alien-Conspiracy theorists who believe the Hopi people have come from the purported middle-earth where an evil alien civilization still exist to this day. However, who this book is for are those who respect life as the Hopi respect life and who want to these peoples through the early migrations. From this book you will see that the Hopi have traveled throughout all of the Northern and Southern Americas, as well as Canada and the Artic polar regions long before the European traveled to these parts of the globe, and whose religious practices are older than that of any religion in the world. Where the Christian religion (through the teachings and historical records of the Bible) only know of two worlds the Hopi civilization have memories of four worlds, but both have records of the exact same destruction of the last world, i.e., its destruction by water. Also the Hopi are privy to the knowledge that we will face three more worlds.

I rate this book wonderful, enlightening, educational and spiritually edifying.