The Crooked Tree

by John Couchois Wright

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

180 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2010

About the author

1874-

Reviews

[Aleah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because I really love mythology. I was born in Sault St. Marie and my family on my grandma’s side was Chippewa. So I am especially interested in these stories. I realize that it was a different time but I don’t like they way they refer to the Indians. I was hoping that more of the stories would be legends of the tribes but a lot of them were just their interactions with the French and British. While those were still interesting, I really love the old legends and stories and I will be getting more books to be able to read more of them.

[Minosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

lmao @ the reviewer saying they don’t think the legends are authentic when the author literally got them from his Odawa grandmother. Anyway, yes it’s definitely a product of its time, and Wright clearly wants to appeal to a white audience, but as a piece of literature produced by a Nishnaabe writer in the early 1900s it’s pretty interesting.

[Robin Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the glossary of Ottawa/Ojibwa words. The stories were okay.

[Lly_th · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. Interesting history. I think I may travel north and find a local museum on the area.

[Joe Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

some of this book was good.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful read!

[Kimberly Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book of Native Americans in Northern Michigan. Because I live in the area, I enjoyed learning the history pre white settlement, during and post. Some of the stories ranged from light- hearted, spiritual, to showing explicit racism. But nevertheless the nature and people who first inhabited and are still here today are the heart of the community...without knowing them - past and present - one doesn't know Northern Michigan.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dated, racist, ethnocentric piece of crap. I don't even think the legends are authentic. Very disappointing.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like another reviewer said, very dated and ethnocentric.
But then it is 100-years-old... At the very least it sheds light into the "noble savage" mindset of the era.