The Navajos (Volume 43)

by Ruth M. Underhill

Newspaper accounts of the Navajos in recent years have prompted widespread interest in the tribe, its history, and its present condition. In this volume Ruth Underhill presents the absorbing and authoritative account of the Navajos, from the time of their myth-shrouded appearance in the Southwest to their present-day position as America's largest Indian tribe, with a population of 100,000 occupying a reservation of fifteen million acres. The Navajos, blood relations of the Apaches, once virtually ruled the area now known as Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, which they robbed with impunity. Unable to tolerate their depredations any longer, Anglo-Americans, Mexicans, and other Indians rose up in protest, demanding the subjugation of the Navajos, who were accused of every crime and held responsible for almost every Indian attack in the area. The job was given to Colonel Kit Carson, who defeated the Navajos in 1864 and moved them to a small reservation at Fort Sumner, where they remained for nearly four years before being returned to their original home. It was upon their agriculture, sheepherding, and artistry in blanket weaving and silversmithing that the Navajos, now unable to continue their profitable raiding, became dependent during the early, trying days of reservation life. Miss Underhill's careful examination of the complex mythical aura that surrounds the early Navajos offers an interesting insight into their colorful history and rich cultural background, but it is her sensitive portrayal of their adjustment to a new way of life that distinguishes her account of this great tribe. For this printing, the final chapter, "Fourth Beginning," has been rewritten to bring the story of the Navajos up to 1967.

Genres: History, Native American

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1956

About the author

Ruth Murray Underhill was an American anthropologist. She was born in Ossining-on-the-Hudson, New York, and attended Vassar College, graduating in 1905 with a degree in Language and Literature. In 1907, she graduated from the London School of Economics and began travelling throughout Europe. During World War I, she worked for an Italian Orphanage run by the Red Cross. After the war, she married Charles C. Crawford and published her first book The White Moth. Her marriage ended in 1929 and by 1930 she decided to go back to school to learn more about human behavior. After speaking with Franz Boas and Ruth Benedict in the Anthropology Department at Columbia University, she decided to pursue the field, graduating in 1937. She wrote numerous books on Native Americans and helped to dispel many myths about their culture.

Reviews

[Albus Eugene Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Se decidete di mandare la mia gente lontano dalla loro terra», disse, «prima prendete questo coltello e uccidetemi»
Quelli veri, non hanno avuto Aquila della Notte a difenderli, ma dopo il trattato del 1868, sono sopravvissuti e hanno prosperato con orgoglio e dignità.
«In beauty (happily) I walk / With beauty before me I walk / With beauty behind me I walk / With beauty below me I walk / With beauty above me I walk / With beauty all around me I walk / It is finished (again) in beauty / It is finished in beauty» (Dr. Washington Mattews - The Night Chant).

[Kelsey Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book on vacation at Hubbell Trading Post. I wanted a book with history of the Navajo people so I could learn about their history and culture while visiting their reservation but I was hesitant because I was thinking as a history book it would be dry and a hard read. Surprisingly the book was an engaging, easy read. Would recommend for anyone interested in Native history.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough history, if a bit dated, of the Navajos based on her 13 years of experience working for the U.S Indian Service.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broad and fairly straight account of Navajo society and history, from their original migration to the southwest to the reservation and post-war era. Navajo relations with neighboring tribes, the adoption of farming and semi-fixed settlements from the Pueblo, the introduction of the horse, and incursion of white colonists, is highlighted. Much on their arts, rug and blanket weaving, silver and iron smithing. Not much on their ceremonial religion.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I read most of this, from what I remember it was pretty good, not too dry, like some history books. Great if you want to know more about the history of the Southwest.

[Smiley938]

Couldn't finish. Too dry for me.