The Hopi Survival Kit (Hardcover)

by Thomas E. Mails (Author)
Key Phrases: tribal newspaper, fourth cycle, ceremonial cycle, Tribal Council, Dan Evehema, Great Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Hopi Land is hallowed ground. It is bathed in an aura of the sacred, yet carries with it an ever-present possibility of the unexpected. More than 80 of the 100 prophecies given to the Hopis by Maasaw 900 years ago have been fulfilled. The final prophecies are revealed for the first time h ere, together with warnings and instructions for al ife-way that will enable us to enter the new millennium in joy rather than catastrophe.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556705174
• ISBN-13: 978-1556705175
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,131,121 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 124 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Whose review matters most? The Hopi's. They pan it., July 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hopi Survival Kit: The Prophecies, Instructions and Warnings Revealed by the Last Elders (Paperback)

I read this book in preparation for a three and a half day trip to Hopiland a couple of years ago. What an eye-opening surprise. Thomas Mails has an awkward, rushed quality to his text, but I forgave him for stylistic rough spots in light of the urgency of his message that Hopi prophecy must come to light. How do the Hopi respond? With groans. With anger and resentment. I spoke to at least a dozen Hopi, all of whom consider Mails an intruder, one who invaded their culture and plundered it for his own profit and professional advancement. 'There's a pattern to what he does,' they pointed out. 'Mails finds a so-called 'last living repository' of traditional wisdom, interviews him and presents this material as speaking for the whole tribe.' Dan Evahema is one, and there are others who have been the sources of Mails' wanderings. Dan Evahema did not hold a position of authority among the Hopi; he just happened to be available for the interview. There are clan distinction which Mails does not recognize in his book which mean quite a lot to the Hopi, who in fact don't wish these clan distinctions to be anybody else's reading material in the first place. I wasn't prepared for the thoroughly disgusted reaction to this book among every single Hopi I met. 'Nuff said. It reminds me of Vine DeLoria's point at the end of chapter one of _Custer Died For Your Sins_, in which he says he would like to see a cultural leave-us-alone treaty.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't be put off., September 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hopi Survival Kit: The Prophecies, Instructions and Warnings Revealed by the Last Elders (Paperback)

Dont be put off by the other reviews, they disuade you from reading an extreemly important message just because the style of writing isn't to their taste. Read it yourself and make your own judgement, i found the book very inspiring and enjoyed reading it.

As for Mails being regarded as an outsider and not speaking for the hopi, the reader should have read the book more closely as this issue is addressed in the book. No one Hopi could ever speak for all of them, as their views are so divided. Thomas Mails and Dan Evehema are traditionalists who are trying to pass on an ancient message. The progressives may not like this, or the book, but they can have their opinion, and you can have yours. This book will help you make up your own mind.

I agree that the style of writing was difficult, but i feel the content is far more important. If only more people in the world listened to the message the book conveys, i believe it would be a better place.

Read the book, don't be put off by those who try to dissuade you.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not an easy read - but we have much to learn from the Hopi, November 10, 1999

By A Customer

This book seems fundamentally wholesome in content, as does the Hopi way of life it describes. The author clearly has great conviction and you can't help but be touched by the history of decline and interference experienced by these peaceful people.

The style however can be deeply irritating in places. Construction of arguments / ideas is usually not cohesive and Mails often doesn't seem to have a point. He does acknowledge his limitations in this respect.

You could argue all day about much of Thomas Mails' personal opinions, but if you have patience, you see a man who wants the reader to look at their life and do something better with it, for the benefit of all people.

If you are not monotheistically inclined the best way to read this book is to take much of it metaphorically and apply that to whatever spiritual path you happen to be on.