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Reviews of new/recent books by/about Native Americans (3/3)
Steve Brock (brock@ucsub.colorado.edu)
28 Sep 1995 01:24:53 GMT
Here are several short reviews of new and recent books by and about
Native Americans, part three of three. All reviews are written by
Steve Brock:
DOLLS & TOYS OF NATIVE AMERICA: A JOURNEY THROUGH CHILDHOOD by Don
and Debra McQuiston. Chronicle Books, 275 Fifth Street, San
Francisco, CA 94103, (800) 722-6657, (800) 445-7577 in CA, (415)
777-8887 FAX. Illustrated (110 photographs total: 85 in color, 25
sepia-toned), index to illustrations, bibliography. 120 pp.,
$35.00 cloth (0-8118-0570-0), $19.95 paper (0-8118-0572-7).
To Indian children, certain toys that are presented to them contain
lessons that have been passed down through many generations. The
McQuistons examine the handmade toys of six tribes (Blackfeet,
Chippewa, Hopi, Inuit, Haida, and Navajo) and the traditions they
represent, in this colorful and authoritative guide. Grade: A-.
RED MAN'S LAND WHITE MAN'S LAW (2nd edition) by Wilcomb E.
Washburn. University of Oklahoma Press, 1005 Asp Ave., Norman, OK
73019, (800) 627-7377, (405) 325-5000 FAX. Index, notes. 320 pp.,
$14.95 paper. 0-8061-2740-6
The University of Oklahoma Press has reissued Washburn's history of
the legal status of Indian land in the face of U.S. imperialism,
originally published in 1971, with a new preface and afterword that
reflect the growing importance of tribal sovereignty and autonomy.
A well-researched and presented analysis. Grade: A-.
HOME PLACES: CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN WRITING FROM SUN TRACKS
edited by Larry Evers and Ofelia Zepeda. University of Arizona
Press, 1230 N. Park, #102, Tucson, AZ 85719, (800) 426-3797, (602)
882-3065 in Arizona, FAX: (602) 621-8899. The University of
Arizona Press online catalogue and order form may be accessed from
the Internet by telneting to INFO.CCIT.ARIZONA.EDU. Login as INFO.
>From the Main Menu choose 5 (On-line Information Services), 3
(University of Arizona Information), 1 (Campus Services), and 4
(University of Arizona Press). 109 pp., $19.95 cloth (0-8165-1521-
2), $9.95 paper (0-8165-1522-0).
To commemorate 25 years of publishing contemporary writing and art
by both established and emerging Native Americans, "Sun Tracks" has
published a collection of stories, poetry, songs, and speeches by
N. Scott Momaday, Joy Harjo, Linda Hogan, Simon Ortiz, Dan Hanna,
Carter Revard and others, that reflect each author's representation
of home: a place where all the other authors are welcome. Included
is a history of "Sun Tracks" by series editor Larry Evers. Listen
to these words. Grade: A.
MEDIATION IN CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN FICTION by James Ruppert.
University of Oklahoma Press, 1005 Asp Ave., Norman, OK 73019,
(800) 627-7377, (405) 325-5000 FAX. Index, notes, list of works
cited. 188 pp., $29.95 cloth. 0-8061-2749-X
According to Ruppert, many Native American novelists serve as
mediators between cultures. In their books, he says, they draw
upon unique bicultural experiences that provide new insights into
each. Using "House Made of Dawn" (N. Scott Momaday), "Winter in
the Blood" (James Welch), "Ceremony" (Leslie Marmon Silko),
"Bearheart" (Gerald Vizenor), "Wind from an Enemy Sky" (D'Arcy
McNickle), and "Love Medicine" (Louise Erdrich) as examples,
Ruppert expertly guides the reader into new worlds of comprehen-
sion. Grade: A-.
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