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The Sacred Wisdom of the Native Americans
Through expert text and beautiful images, learn about the history of Native Americans and their profound appreciation of the cycles of nature and belief in the cosmic interconnectedness of all things.
In The Sacred Wisdom of the Native Americans , Professor Larry J. Zimmerman tells the tragic tale of their conquest and dispossession, followed by their survival against the odds and the renewal of pride in a distinctive cultural heritage. Learn about indigenous North American traditions and the history behind them that create a unique Native American identity. Their crafts and their reverence for the land are also both described in detail—inspiring us to turn our thoughts to the natural world and our own place in it.
With gorgeous full-color photographs and illustrations of Native American people, monuments, land, and artifacts, this 320-page volume also
With expert knowledge and authoritativeness, Zimmerman combines panoramic scope with a wealth of detail in this landmark testimony to the Native American peoples .
In The Sacred Wisdom of the Native Americans , Professor Larry J. Zimmerman tells the tragic tale of their conquest and dispossession, followed by their survival against the odds and the renewal of pride in a distinctive cultural heritage. Learn about indigenous North American traditions and the history behind them that create a unique Native American identity. Their crafts and their reverence for the land are also both described in detail—inspiring us to turn our thoughts to the natural world and our own place in it.
With gorgeous full-color photographs and illustrations of Native American people, monuments, land, and artifacts, this 320-page volume also
With expert knowledge and authoritativeness, Zimmerman combines panoramic scope with a wealth of detail in this landmark testimony to the Native American peoples .
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2011
29 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 2, 2014
Booooring! I usually take three days to a week to read a book, it took me three weeks and three days to finish this one? And only 392 pages! I am very interested in American Indian History and I must admit I did learn a few thing from this book. The pictures are lovely.
It felt like reading a School Manual.
With such an interesting subject I feel that Mr. Zimmerman, the author, could have produced a more readable and fascinating book, what I call a page turner.
This book is definitely not it!
It felt like reading a School Manual.
With such an interesting subject I feel that Mr. Zimmerman, the author, could have produced a more readable and fascinating book, what I call a page turner.
This book is definitely not it!
February 27, 2018
This book is an overview of the spiritual outlook and way of life of Indigenous Americans. This is not a history book, but is is a cultural survey full of photos and illustrations. Beautiful hardcover.
July 8, 2015
Interesting book, but I was somewhat disappointed. It is good as a primer-type introduction to native American history, culture, customs, and issues.
July 1, 2020
It was like going to a museum in a book. You learn a little about a lot. Good read, great pictures. I appreciate the reference in the book for further reading.
February 13, 2023
Relatively short and covering a lot of different themes, this book seems like a good introduction on the topic of Native Americans for anyone who has little to no knowledge of it.
Yet, I could not help but feel that it does not delve sufficiently into the themes it addresses, and it fails to address those scientifically. For example, on p. 216-217, the author tells us how healers would enter an ecstatic trance so that their soul might travel outside of their body to fight against spirits. "A holy healer might collapse with blood trickling from their mouth, nose, and ears - or they could even drop dead on the spot." We are not told about how they enter that trance, what substances they may use, nor do we have an explanation about what triggered the blood or the death. And this lack of clarity is present throughout the book, which makes one feel like the author tries to maintain that mystical aspect thag is associated with Native American culture by shrouding it in some mysterious aura, which might be because he wishes to convey on the reader this concept from Native American culture. However, as a reader who wishes to truly understand, it is difficult to have a correct grasp without a scientific approach, which would be useful to understand the complexities of Native American culture(s).
The book could also have used maps to describe where traditional territories were located and how they were affected by the federal government expansion. There is one map that shows where the various populations of Natives are distributed and where the reservations are located but it is never referred to in the book and you only discover it by chance at the end (unless you knew it was there because you checked the book carefully prior to buying it but in my case it was an online purchase).
Despite its flaws, the book still offers a valuable outlook, even if it remains superficial. Its flaws might actually be its strengths: as a result, the book is easy to read and leaves the reader with sufficient knowledge to grasp the fact that we have much to learn from Native Americans, be it about climate change, social norms, values, and more.
Yet, I could not help but feel that it does not delve sufficiently into the themes it addresses, and it fails to address those scientifically. For example, on p. 216-217, the author tells us how healers would enter an ecstatic trance so that their soul might travel outside of their body to fight against spirits. "A holy healer might collapse with blood trickling from their mouth, nose, and ears - or they could even drop dead on the spot." We are not told about how they enter that trance, what substances they may use, nor do we have an explanation about what triggered the blood or the death. And this lack of clarity is present throughout the book, which makes one feel like the author tries to maintain that mystical aspect thag is associated with Native American culture by shrouding it in some mysterious aura, which might be because he wishes to convey on the reader this concept from Native American culture. However, as a reader who wishes to truly understand, it is difficult to have a correct grasp without a scientific approach, which would be useful to understand the complexities of Native American culture(s).
The book could also have used maps to describe where traditional territories were located and how they were affected by the federal government expansion. There is one map that shows where the various populations of Natives are distributed and where the reservations are located but it is never referred to in the book and you only discover it by chance at the end (unless you knew it was there because you checked the book carefully prior to buying it but in my case it was an online purchase).
Despite its flaws, the book still offers a valuable outlook, even if it remains superficial. Its flaws might actually be its strengths: as a result, the book is easy to read and leaves the reader with sufficient knowledge to grasp the fact that we have much to learn from Native Americans, be it about climate change, social norms, values, and more.
January 2, 2019
I'm unsure of who was the intended audience for this book. It's clearly been broadly (but not too deeply) researched, as if it were intended as a gazetteer. It's richly illustrated, virtually a magazine format. Each topic is covered very concisely, seldom more than 2 or 3 pages including pictures. The language is very straightforward even though there is a suggestion of scholarly endeavor. It may have been aimed at students at secondary school level, as a reference rather than a stand-alone text (with the assumption, possibly erroneous, of a short attention span on the part of the reader). There's just enough detail included in each topic to awaken my interest for more before it moves on to the next topic, which could be frustrating for many readers. The book faces up to the disgraceful manner in which aboriginal peoples have been treated but does so without becoming preachy.
To sum up, a very interesting book that led me to look up further information elsewhere but not a very satisfying read on its own.
To sum up, a very interesting book that led me to look up further information elsewhere but not a very satisfying read on its own.
December 5, 2021
I agree with many of the past reviewers that the book is more of a survey course than an in-depth treatise. I had almost no knowledge of this subject before I read this book, so I found it interesting to hear about the common themes and the specific tribal examples of, for instance the thunder Gods. It was just a bit hard to stay focused when the topic changed every 3-4 pages.
To be fair, how many of us have taken that philosophy 101 course, where we spent an hour on Kant, another hour on Nietche, and even less time on the minor players in modern philosophy. So this isn't the first time we have seen very little depth in a survey. However, I just couldn't stay focused; there was little to dig my teeth into to really understand the culture.
I would like to give it 4 starts. However, it took me 8 months to get through to the end, which felt like a marathon, not an enjoyable perusal.
To be fair, how many of us have taken that philosophy 101 course, where we spent an hour on Kant, another hour on Nietche, and even less time on the minor players in modern philosophy. So this isn't the first time we have seen very little depth in a survey. However, I just couldn't stay focused; there was little to dig my teeth into to really understand the culture.
I would like to give it 4 starts. However, it took me 8 months to get through to the end, which felt like a marathon, not an enjoyable perusal.
December 25, 2018
The organization of this book could use some help, as well as the fact that Zimmerman seems more than a little bit patronizing at times. For example, he explained how the holy people of tribes, such as a medicine man, dislike the term "shaman" because it has origins in a separate culture (being from Siberia), and yet he continued to use "shaman" to describe these people.
This book was written as though you weren't supposed to read it all and instead just read sections of it, like a textbook, because he would reference something on the previous or next page and be like (see page such and such).
Overall, I did learn some from this book, hence the four stars instead of three, but I wish that it had been written in a more cohesive/smoother manner and in a less hypocritical manner.
This book was written as though you weren't supposed to read it all and instead just read sections of it, like a textbook, because he would reference something on the previous or next page and be like (see page such and such).
Overall, I did learn some from this book, hence the four stars instead of three, but I wish that it had been written in a more cohesive/smoother manner and in a less hypocritical manner.
January 5, 2021
I loved this book. If I had to do a one word review, it would be "respectful." The cultures, identities, religions, and histories of these beautiful first Americans is presented so respectfully. I felt like everything presented was presented first to the peoples being discussed and made sure to have their permission and approval. I love that every belief, practice, and historical account is presented with dignity, and as the facts without any outside judgment. No Euroamerican beliefs overshadow, nor is the narrative filtered through them. Read this book. It is a beautiful window into cultures desperately fighting to retain their identity and ways of life in an ever-changing world.
April 3, 2019
This is a good primer on Native Americans. The approach was very factorial, not unexpected from college professor. The presentation was well-enhanced by the color photos.
On balance, a good basic book capsulizing Native Americans followings and beliefs.
For those with a knowledge of our past, it was not very insightful.
I especially liked the comment that: "the white people are out of sympathy with the land because they are driven to conquer and dominate it."
On balance, a good basic book capsulizing Native Americans followings and beliefs.
For those with a knowledge of our past, it was not very insightful.
I especially liked the comment that: "the white people are out of sympathy with the land because they are driven to conquer and dominate it."
February 19, 2019
Most Americans have missed the wholesome, fresh, honest beliefs of our Native people.
Might we learn from them, please.
Might we learn from them, please.
March 2, 2024
This book covers an INCREDIBLE amount of information in bite sized pieces. It makes learning about such a broad subject very approachable!
November 29, 2020
Don’t be fooled by the title of this book. “The Sacred Wisdom of the Native Americans” is actually a longer Reader’s Digest of all things Native American/American Indian.
Zimmerman does a fine job writing about the people, places, and especially culture of the first peoples to occupy North America. Because he uses plain, easy-to-read language, the book zips along. So too are the chapters short - with just enough information as not to inundate the reader. No verbose acadamese, here!
Thus, if you want to learn generalities about Native Americans, this is the book to read.
Zimmerman does a fine job writing about the people, places, and especially culture of the first peoples to occupy North America. Because he uses plain, easy-to-read language, the book zips along. So too are the chapters short - with just enough information as not to inundate the reader. No verbose acadamese, here!
Thus, if you want to learn generalities about Native Americans, this is the book to read.
November 3, 2011
If a person want's a good, introductory text dealing with Native culture and spirituality, this is it. Unfortunately, as I live in Alaska and regularly interact with Native Alaskans, this was far too general for me. For example, until a chart at the end, he wrote as if all "Eskimo's were Inuit, and spoke of theInuit in Alaska. We have a few, but most are in Canada. By far, Alaska "Eskimos" are Inupiat and Yu'pik. On page 268, he mentions a singing group, Pamyua, and calls them Inuit. I have met two of the members, and am close to their parents, and they would be insulted, as they are Yu'pik. Starting on page 304, he discusses "Current Land Issues," without once mentioning ANCSA - the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. I could go on, but the point is made. Nevertheless, the problem is less in his book than I have moved beyond a basic text. What he has written is good; I just wish for the things left out.
January 26, 2012
The creators of this book obviously spent a lot of time matching photos to events: this book is photo heavy. On the other hand, the book is filled with those things that you might not suspect. You will go through the typical maps and photos of landscapes of the prairies and mountains, but each is connected to a quote or thought expressed. I think the author wanted those to also illuminate the reading. I did not read this as an interactive book, just a solid, in-your-hand book, The photography is amazing. The connection to the real world is left wanting. And that speaks volumes to the ongoing problems with race relations in the US.
January 3, 2025
This is simply an exceptional book as it contains exceptional written history,an exceptional collection of art and the book itself is an exceptional physical presentation. I highly recommend this for those who appreciate a true history of the native people of the Americas and Canada.
September 15, 2012
Some really good information and great pictures.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews