When Europeans first arrived in North America; between five and eight million indigenous people were already living there. But how did they come to be here? What were their agricultural; spiritual; and hunting practices? How did their societies evolve and what challenges do they face today?Eminent historians Theda Perdue and Michael Green begin by describing how nomadic bands of hunter-gatherers followed the bison and woolly mammoth over the Bering land mass between Asia and what is now Alaska between 25;000 and 15;000 years ago; settling throughout North America. They describe hunting practices among different tribes; how some made the gradual transition to more settled; agricultural ways of life; the role of kinship and cooperation in Native societies; their varied burial rites and spiritual practices; and many other features of Native American life. Throughout the book; Perdue and Green stress the great diversity of indigenous peoples in America; who spoke more than 400 different languages before the arrival of Europeans and whose ways of life varied according to the environments they settled in and adapted to so successfully. Most importantly; the authors stress how Native Americans have struggled to maintain their sovereignty--first with European powers and then with the United States--in order to retain their lands; govern themselves; support their people; and pursue practices that have made their lives meaningful.Going beyond the stereotypes that so often distort our views of Native Americans; this Very Short Introduction offers a historically accurate; deeply engaging; and often inspiring account of the wide array of Native peoples in America.About the Series: Combining authority with wit; accessibility; and style; Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of lifes most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer; they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics; from philosophy to Freud; quantum theory to Islam.
#576717 in eBooks 2010-07-15 2010-07-15File Name: B003WUYEC0
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. GLENN GOULDS GRAND PIANOBy Letitia W.GRAND PIANOThe book is so interesting and inspiring that I havent even gotten half-way through. I save it and study between other stories.and will probably re-read it once I finish. The tale begins with a description of a grand piano that was once used by the pianist Glen Gould. I am a pianist so first. I found more about the life of the spectacular musician Glenn Gould that I had not known. I have one of his Bach cds but intend to get the Goldberg Variations that were so talked about when Goulds recording was first issued. And then. the story moves away from Mr. Gould and on to the person. who almost completely blind later. after serious training. becomes the caretaker. of Glenn Goulds piano. His name is Verne Lundquist.. The description of his training as an almost blind person. in itself made the book even more interesting. For instance to earn a license he had to tune over a thousand pianos. Cant wait to get back to finishing! .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Curious but CaptivatingBy spockcThis is a good read for people who dont know much about the Steinway piano company. but it is even more fascinating as a study of the richly talented but equally eccentric pianist Glen Gould. Ive known for years that the Steinway is considered by many musicians as the finest piano in the world. but this book gives the history of the company as well as a laymans rundown of the interest process of hand-producing these one-of-a-kind concert grand pianos. However. the real story for me was the life of the pianist Gould. Ive seen some videos of Gould on Youtube and heard his name mentioned as a gifted artist. but I was mesmerized to learn about Goulds life and his genuine obsession to find THE ONE Steinway concert grand piano. Hafner takes the reader from the beginning of Goulds life when he first discovered his musical talent to the blossoming of his career to his gradual move from live concerts to recording. always told in the context of Goulds total obsession with finding and playing the true love of his life. Steinway CD 318. I couldnt put it down!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. More than meets the earBy D. J. LeedhamAm just finishing this book for the second read. Seems to hit the right balance of interest and entertainment for those of us who want to learn more about Gould and his music. but are neither musicologists. nor keen on trivial gossip. This is a love story about an obsessive perfectionist and a piano. and the tuner(s) who made it work for him. There is sufficient technical detail to make the story truly interesting together with a narrative that weaves the various strands of man. machine. technician. travels and travails... A small. journalistic. insight into Glenn Gould the genius who brought Bach to life....Light enough to read on a plane or train. but substantial enough to be memorable....
