Anguish of Snails: Native American Folklore in the West

by Barre Toelken

Book Overview

After a career working and living with American Indians and studying their traditions, Barre Toelken has written this sweeping study of Native American folklore in the West. Within a framework of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874215560
• ISBN13: 9780874215564
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Utah State University Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great stories from a great story teller

This is a very well written book on the folklore, with comments from contemporary Native Americans. It was great to read before a trip to some archaeological sites in the southwest, it seemed to make the rock art come alive to me. Of course, no one today knows for sure the meaning of the rock art, nor did this author suggest any such thing, but reading it did increase my appreciation of both the past and current cultures of the west.

Beautifully Written Inquiry into American Indian Culture

Toelken's book is an excellent study of the culture of America's first peoples. It is an eloquent discussion of how to learn about American Indian history and culture by looking at the everyday activities, traditional arts, folklife, and rituals that are shared with the public. Toelken's work challenges stereotypical and inaccurrate perceptions about Indians; more importantly, he shows ways to understand what other people have to offer when they perform their cultural traditions. It is also beautifully illustrated with gorgeous photographs, many of them in color. The book is written for both academic and non-academic audiences as an introduction into contemporary American Indian culture. I highly recommend this fine book written by an excellent folklorist.