Mother Earth, Father Sky

Myth and Mankind

by Tom Lowenstein

Native American myths.Illustrated.

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, History, Folklore, Spirituality, Native American, Religion

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Tom Lowenstein was an English poet, ethnographer, teacher, cultural historian and translator. Beginning his working life as a school teacher, he visited Alaska in 1973 and went on to become particularly noted for his work on Inupiaq (north Alaskan Eskimo) ethnography, conducting research in Point Hope, Alaska, between 1973 and 1988. His writing also encompasses several collections of poetry, as well as books related to Buddhism. Since 1986, Lowenstein lived and continued teaching in London.

Reviews

[Paul Groos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely illustrated, grand and sweeping overview of the myths, rituals, practices and traditions of many Native American tribes. However, this material is far too complex to cover in a single book, resulting in a haphazard and disjointed jumble of half-told stories. It has many nice snippets of stories and descriptions, but there is no overarching principle of organization in this book as it shifts from Inuit to Pueblo in a single paragraph and treats their cultures as one and the same "pan-Indian" culture. This is oversimplifying this many-formed, many-themed world.

[Ruric Amhari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of photos, line drawings, sketches of objects and sacred places.

Bulk of text is engaging retelling of the main myths.

Book divided into six sections: The Indian World, Earthdivers and Creators, The Spiritual Cosmos, Keepers of Order, Web of Ceremony, Native American Legacy.

[Benjamin Plume · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great, but has some cool bits of knowledge.