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Hidden Thunder: Rock Art of the Upper Midwest
In Hidden Thunder , renowned watercolor artist Geri Schrab and archaeologist Robert "Ernie" Boszhardt give readers an up-close-and-personal look at rock art. With an eye toward preservation, Schrab and Boszhardt take you with them as they research, document, and interpret at the ancient petroglyphs and pictographs made my Native Americans in past millennia. In addition to publicly accessible sites such as Wisconsin’s Roche-a-Cri State Park and Minnesota’s Jeffers Petroglyphs, Hidden Thunder covers the artistic treasures found at several remote and inaccessible rock art sites—revealing the ancient stories through words, full-color photographs, and artistic renditions. Offering the duo perspectives of scientist and artist, Boszhardt shares the facts that archaeologists have been able to establish about these important artifacts of our early history, while Schrab offers the artist's experience, describing her emotional and creative response upon encountering and painting these sites. Viewpoints by members of the Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Ojibwe, and other Native nations offer additional insight on the historic and cultural significance of these sites. Together these myriad voices reveal layers of meaning and cultural context that emphasize why these fragile resources—often marred by human graffiti and mishandling or damage from the elements—need to be preserved.
223 pages, Hardcover
Published September 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 22, 2019
Explains Wisconsin's prehistoric rock art to a general audience. Each major site in the state is told through two perspectives: an archaeologist describes the art at the site and its importance in technical detail, then an artist explains how the site has inspired her. After these two perspectives, a "native voice" is added to show color from American Indians.
I enjoyed all of it. Some people might find the artist's descriptions to be a bit "new age" for them, but it didn't bother me. You can always skip them and get a lot out of the archaeologist's perspectives.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in Wisconsin's history. This is as old as it gets. The only warning I'd give is that it's a sad book. Most of the rock art sites have been vandalized. You'll see the vandalism in most of the photos of the sites.
I enjoyed all of it. Some people might find the artist's descriptions to be a bit "new age" for them, but it didn't bother me. You can always skip them and get a lot out of the archaeologist's perspectives.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in Wisconsin's history. This is as old as it gets. The only warning I'd give is that it's a sad book. Most of the rock art sites have been vandalized. You'll see the vandalism in most of the photos of the sites.
September 12, 2016
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.25 of 5
I'm not sure when I first saw a petroglyph, but over the last twenty years or so, my wife and I have done a great deal of traveling to state and national parks and at so many of them we've noted and photographed petroglyphs.
I am fascinated by visual arts in general, and when I see these petroglyphs or other rock art I am amazed by the tenacity of artists who worked with poor materials, but weren't stopped by that. The drive to produce art often supersedes the lack of materials.
This books details some rock art in the upper Midwest, primarily in the Wisconsin area. Eleven locations are explored and described. Some of these are open to the public, such as Jeffers and Pipestone in Minnesota. Others are locations on private property.
For those of us who might pick up this book to find locations to visit, this can be a little disappointing as too many of the locations are private. Also disappointing - and the authors almost hit the reader over the head with their concern - is how many of the petroglyphs have been damaged or destroyed by uncaring visitors. Since most of these petroglyphs are located in limestone caves on farm lands, it is implied (or stated outright, I don't remember which) that teens looking to party are the likely suspects in the damage. It is disappointing that such historical artifacts are so wantonly destroyed (and the authors make it clear how they feel about this), but kudos to the authors and the Native American councils who are actively working to protect these places.
The book is lavishly illustrated with photos and artwork (more on that in a moment) of many of the discoveries. My ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) came with a publisher's watermark on every page, making it near impossible to actually see anything in the photos, so it's difficult to comment on the quality of the pictures.
One of the things that I enjoyed about this book is that it wasn't just a flat-out presentation of petroglyph sites. In addition to the photos, the book has many watercolor paintings by artist Geri Schrab. Schrab is clearly moved by the ancient art and works the styles and themes into her own watercolors. It is beautiful synthesis of ancient and modern art.
Also included in the book are "Native Voice" writings. It is beautiful to get some written word from modern Native Americans to go along with the art.
Included in this book:
Samuel's Cave (Native Voice: Carrie McGhee Gleba)
Bell Coulee Rockshelter (Native Voice: Dylan Jennings)
Silver Mound (Native Voice: Louise Erdrich)
Gullickson's Glen (Native Voice: Elizabeth K. Fernandez-Arnold)
Roche-A-Cri State Park (Native Voice: Diana Peterson)
Twin Bluffs (Native Voice: Joey Awonohopay)
Jeffers and Pipestone (Native Voice: Dane Pine)
Indian Cave (Native Voice: Patty Loew)
Gottschall Rockshelter (Native Voice: Truman Loew)
Tainter Cave (Native Voice: Larry Balber)
Hanson-Losinki Complex (Native Voice: Karen Ann Hoffman
Looking for a good book? Hidden Thunder, by Geri Schrab and Robert F Boszhardt, is an absolute must read for anyone interested in art history, Native American art, Native American history, or even anyone just interested in a great non-fiction book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not sure when I first saw a petroglyph, but over the last twenty years or so, my wife and I have done a great deal of traveling to state and national parks and at so many of them we've noted and photographed petroglyphs.
I am fascinated by visual arts in general, and when I see these petroglyphs or other rock art I am amazed by the tenacity of artists who worked with poor materials, but weren't stopped by that. The drive to produce art often supersedes the lack of materials.
This books details some rock art in the upper Midwest, primarily in the Wisconsin area. Eleven locations are explored and described. Some of these are open to the public, such as Jeffers and Pipestone in Minnesota. Others are locations on private property.
For those of us who might pick up this book to find locations to visit, this can be a little disappointing as too many of the locations are private. Also disappointing - and the authors almost hit the reader over the head with their concern - is how many of the petroglyphs have been damaged or destroyed by uncaring visitors. Since most of these petroglyphs are located in limestone caves on farm lands, it is implied (or stated outright, I don't remember which) that teens looking to party are the likely suspects in the damage. It is disappointing that such historical artifacts are so wantonly destroyed (and the authors make it clear how they feel about this), but kudos to the authors and the Native American councils who are actively working to protect these places.
The book is lavishly illustrated with photos and artwork (more on that in a moment) of many of the discoveries. My ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) came with a publisher's watermark on every page, making it near impossible to actually see anything in the photos, so it's difficult to comment on the quality of the pictures.
One of the things that I enjoyed about this book is that it wasn't just a flat-out presentation of petroglyph sites. In addition to the photos, the book has many watercolor paintings by artist Geri Schrab. Schrab is clearly moved by the ancient art and works the styles and themes into her own watercolors. It is beautiful synthesis of ancient and modern art.
Also included in the book are "Native Voice" writings. It is beautiful to get some written word from modern Native Americans to go along with the art.
Included in this book:
Samuel's Cave (Native Voice: Carrie McGhee Gleba)
Bell Coulee Rockshelter (Native Voice: Dylan Jennings)
Silver Mound (Native Voice: Louise Erdrich)
Gullickson's Glen (Native Voice: Elizabeth K. Fernandez-Arnold)
Roche-A-Cri State Park (Native Voice: Diana Peterson)
Twin Bluffs (Native Voice: Joey Awonohopay)
Jeffers and Pipestone (Native Voice: Dane Pine)
Indian Cave (Native Voice: Patty Loew)
Gottschall Rockshelter (Native Voice: Truman Loew)
Tainter Cave (Native Voice: Larry Balber)
Hanson-Losinki Complex (Native Voice: Karen Ann Hoffman
Looking for a good book? Hidden Thunder, by Geri Schrab and Robert F Boszhardt, is an absolute must read for anyone interested in art history, Native American art, Native American history, or even anyone just interested in a great non-fiction book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2016
“Hidden Thunder: Rock Art Of The Upper Midwest” is an oversized book accounting of years of study of pre-historic Indian art found primarily in southwestern and west central Wisconsin presented in words, photographs and watercolors. The chapter for each of the eleven featured sites consists of a section written by an archeologist, an artist and a Native Voice from a member of an Indian nation of Wisconsin.
Archeologist Ernie Boszhardt brings his four decades of study of archeology in the Upper Midwest to the project. His contribution is to search each site for the drawings, link them to what is known to discern their ages, what can be determined about their originators and the meanings of the drawings. Ernie plays the role of a detective. Is that a deer or a Cariboo, which helps date the artwork? What species of buffalo is it, one that was extinct by a particular era? What does it tell us about the travels of early Indians who drew of buffalo that never lived in Wisconsin? Are we looking at an eagle, that circled over the site, or a Thunderbird of myth? How does the etching relate to Indian legends? Boszhardt raises questions, provides answers and leaves wondering, as do his readers.
Watercolorist Geri Schrab (court reporter by occupation) sees with the artist’s eye for shape, color and meaning not appreciated by scientific analysis. Her paintings reproduced on the pages of this book transmit the spirit only glimpsed in photographs of the actual rock art. In her writings, Geri ponders how her status as a white woman enhances and impairs her ability to understand what the Native artists recorded.
The Native Voices are brief but each provides a unique viewpoint of the site under examination and the meaning of rock art in general.
“Hidden Thunder” deals frankly with the contrasting obligations to examine, publicize, and protect. Stories of ancient artwork destroyed or diminished by graffiti or spray paint disappoint and anger me that people would desecrate an irreplaceable treasure. Many of the sites are in caves and most are on private property. The authors are careful to obtain permission from landowners before visiting sites, for the owners are the stewards of their domains. Some are on exposed rock and a few are on public land. On public land the balance between access and protection is in constant need of adjustment.
Although I have visited the Cahokia Mounds area several times I feel that I know relatively little about Indian prehistory. I found this book to be fascinating. Despite many visits, I was unaware of the existence and prevalence of rock art in Wisconsin. The thought that out in caves survive drawings up to ten thousand years old boggles my mind. The words and pictures are delights. They have opened doors to new wonders I would like to explore in further readings and I am sure they will do the same for others. These make “Hidden Thunder” a rewarding read.
I did receive a free copy of this book without the obligation to post a review.
Archeologist Ernie Boszhardt brings his four decades of study of archeology in the Upper Midwest to the project. His contribution is to search each site for the drawings, link them to what is known to discern their ages, what can be determined about their originators and the meanings of the drawings. Ernie plays the role of a detective. Is that a deer or a Cariboo, which helps date the artwork? What species of buffalo is it, one that was extinct by a particular era? What does it tell us about the travels of early Indians who drew of buffalo that never lived in Wisconsin? Are we looking at an eagle, that circled over the site, or a Thunderbird of myth? How does the etching relate to Indian legends? Boszhardt raises questions, provides answers and leaves wondering, as do his readers.
Watercolorist Geri Schrab (court reporter by occupation) sees with the artist’s eye for shape, color and meaning not appreciated by scientific analysis. Her paintings reproduced on the pages of this book transmit the spirit only glimpsed in photographs of the actual rock art. In her writings, Geri ponders how her status as a white woman enhances and impairs her ability to understand what the Native artists recorded.
The Native Voices are brief but each provides a unique viewpoint of the site under examination and the meaning of rock art in general.
“Hidden Thunder” deals frankly with the contrasting obligations to examine, publicize, and protect. Stories of ancient artwork destroyed or diminished by graffiti or spray paint disappoint and anger me that people would desecrate an irreplaceable treasure. Many of the sites are in caves and most are on private property. The authors are careful to obtain permission from landowners before visiting sites, for the owners are the stewards of their domains. Some are on exposed rock and a few are on public land. On public land the balance between access and protection is in constant need of adjustment.
Although I have visited the Cahokia Mounds area several times I feel that I know relatively little about Indian prehistory. I found this book to be fascinating. Despite many visits, I was unaware of the existence and prevalence of rock art in Wisconsin. The thought that out in caves survive drawings up to ten thousand years old boggles my mind. The words and pictures are delights. They have opened doors to new wonders I would like to explore in further readings and I am sure they will do the same for others. These make “Hidden Thunder” a rewarding read.
I did receive a free copy of this book without the obligation to post a review.
November 12, 2016
I received this book as part of GoodReads First Reads giveaway.
Didn't know there was rock art in Wisconsin or in the US at all for that matter.
Definitely enjoyed the sections written by the archeologist though it seems that most of what is known about the rock art is just that it exists and guesses as to what is being shown. The whole idea of battles between thunderbirds from the upper world and serpents from the under world battling was interesting (reminds me of Perun and Veles from Slavic myth) but I didn't follow how that interpretation was developed (oral tradition maybe?). Though, I'm probably just quibbling because I always like more detailed explanations.
For the artist sections, I have more mixed thoughts. They were interesting to read but the first one compared people carving on existing rock art to rape. . . Seems a disproportionate comparison. After I put that aside though, they were interesting to read. Seeing as she's effectively entering into the holy places of another people I can understand the feelings of humility. Though the 'spiritual' talk confused me quickly.
On a final note, comparing the paintings to the rock art pictures was helpful in seeing the images in the actual rock art. Would've been helpful to highlight images in the photographs to make them pop more. I suppose seeing them in person would help to see the images too.
Didn't know there was rock art in Wisconsin or in the US at all for that matter.
Definitely enjoyed the sections written by the archeologist though it seems that most of what is known about the rock art is just that it exists and guesses as to what is being shown. The whole idea of battles between thunderbirds from the upper world and serpents from the under world battling was interesting (reminds me of Perun and Veles from Slavic myth) but I didn't follow how that interpretation was developed (oral tradition maybe?). Though, I'm probably just quibbling because I always like more detailed explanations.
For the artist sections, I have more mixed thoughts. They were interesting to read but the first one compared people carving on existing rock art to rape. . . Seems a disproportionate comparison. After I put that aside though, they were interesting to read. Seeing as she's effectively entering into the holy places of another people I can understand the feelings of humility. Though the 'spiritual' talk confused me quickly.
On a final note, comparing the paintings to the rock art pictures was helpful in seeing the images in the actual rock art. Would've been helpful to highlight images in the photographs to make them pop more. I suppose seeing them in person would help to see the images too.
November 26, 2016
Quality photos and illustrations, great history and explanation of petroglyphs in the Upper Midwest concentrating on Wisconsin. I was especially interested in Pipestone National monument as I have visited this site and there was an interesting section on this site. The paper that this book was printed on was top quality and I was impressed by the scholarly treatment of the subject plus the essays and poems of Native Americans from the Menominees and Ojibiwas - Louise Erdrich was one of the essayists. Hopewell and Mississippian cultures were included somewhat in this study. I have long been interested in archaeology and I had at one time considered being an archaeologist.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews