Looking at Totem Poles (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This newest book on Northwest Coast art by a widely published author in the field ( Cedar: Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Indians , Univ. of Washington Pr., 1984) is primarily a guide to 110 specific totem poles located in British Columbia and Alaska. It also contains a number of short opening chapters that provide an excellent, concise introduction to the poles for the lay reader; Stewart's thorough understanding of the subject shines most brightly in her discussion of iconography. The guide section offers a detailed drawing of each pole; identification of its location, carver, and style; and a brief explanation of the meaning of the figures on the pole. Highly recommended for public libraries because of its accessibility to general audiences and for academic libraries as a reference source on individual totem poles.
- Dr. Eugene C. Burt, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This work gives a historical, cultural, and artistic account of the ancient craft of totem poles that has grown to be a symbol of the Native Americans of the Northwest Coast.

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295972599
• ISBN-13: 978-0295972596
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #425,150 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent reference on the northwest art form, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

No frills, no gimmicks, just an excellent written and graphic profile of totem poles as a symbol of a North American people. Allows you to enter a community where beliefs in the earth, sky, oceans, mountains and animals continue to be spiritual.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tour of the Northwest, September 4, 2001

By	Kellyannl (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This is absolutely essential for anyone going to British Columbia or Alaska. It gives a brief description and explanation of almost all the important outdoor totem poles you'll come across, taking you through the poles figure by figure. I found it invaluable when in Victoria's Thunderbird Park and Vancouver's Stanley Park and Museum of Anthropology. A real gem you'll read over and glance through again once you're back home.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Totem Pole Survey, September 20, 2005

By	Darrell H. Smith "sceptreofjudah2" (Longview, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is mainly an anthology of totem poles found in the world. As such, it is rather dry and starved for content. It describes various poles with accompanying photos but does not venture much into technology, artform, etc. I can't really recommend the book unless you are a traveller wishing to visit and view various totem poles found in the Pacific Northwest.