The Book of the Navajo

by Raymond Friday Locke

Paperback deals with Navajo history and a description of Navajo life. 496 pages.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Native American, Indigenous

496 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Esther Labib-Kiyarash · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I have read this book over and over and learn something new every-time. I consider it the definitive book on Navajo history written by a non-native. Yes it's long and hard to read, but worth it. I also think for a fifth edition the proof reader should be shot, the Navajo words are inaccurate.

[Seth Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my best friends is Navajo and I used to pester her all the time with my questions about her culture. She knew the answers to some things but not others. Her response to many of my questions about why Navajos did this or that was, "We just do... I don't know why." Finally she told me to go read this book because it was the best one out there and would answer my questions much better than she could. And answer them it did. An excellent book from start to finish. Everything you'd ever want to know about the Navajo people is in there. As a final endorsement, it's a fact that this is one of the few books that her family has on their bookshelf. (And the only one about them as a people.) I think that says everything about it's legitimacy.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Locke presents an overview of the history and culture of the Navajo people. Some of the scandals by both Navajo and whites are covered. This is a good reference read though as a retired history teacher and retired Marine, I would have liked to have seen some coverage of the Navajo's military service [for example the Code Talkers of World War II].

[Pam Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, insightful, and documented. I learned about the tribe and it's history: persecution by Mexico and Mexicans, religious leaders, New Mexicans, other tribes, the U.S. Government, the affect of the Civil War, dishonest politicians, treaties that were broken constantly, hunger, life threatening poverty, greed, and more. Through centuries of persistence, the tribe succeeded in having its own land, customs, and agencies. Every teacher that has a Navajo student should read this.

[Sherlock Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very educational (and sad)

[River James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two words: Warrior Twins
I picked up The Book of the Navajo in Canyon de Chelly in 1997 and devoured it as a transplant from the midwest. To this day I think of the Hero Twins when on the land of the Diné. The details of how the Navajo were treated are very important to my understanding the United States. I tried the "does it hold up" test in 2024 and it did not. For me.

[Laura]

Enjoying it so far

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read the fifth edition. lots of typos, repeated sentences etc. very tedious.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like history, this is a good book. Otherwise, parts of it are a little tedious to get through.

[Lisa]

like new

[Dreamersemporium]

ln

[Sheldon Fatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like this book before it very condense and summarized.