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The World's Rim: Great Mysteries of the North American Indians
Philosopher, poet and anthropologist Hartley Burr Alexander (1873-1939) united all his talents and sympathies in the writing of this posthumously published work. It is a series of studies in a field in which he was eminently certain ceremonies and ritual conceptions, "dramatic mysteries," of the North American Indians. Their wider interpretations, in terms of a philosophy of religious culture, shows the Indian heritage and achievement at its best. In rich, vivid and intensely poetic language, the author conveys the Indian understanding of "the dynamic particularity of men's lives," and gives new emphasis and meaning to the phrase, "a common humanity." — The American Scholar
This is a rich and stimulating work by an American philosopher who was also a specialist in American Indian art and mythology. It is an exciting book which provides an acute and sympathetic insight into the life and mind of the North American Indians as expressed through the symbolism of their art and ritual. It is through his sympathetic understanding of the common humanity of the Indians as manifested through their dramatic symbolism that the author makes his most significant contribution. In brief, this is essentially a work of philosophical interpretation of ethnological material rather than a restatement and description of Indian ritual concepts and customs. — David Bidney, Pennsylvania Magazine of History
This is a rich and stimulating work by an American philosopher who was also a specialist in American Indian art and mythology. It is an exciting book which provides an acute and sympathetic insight into the life and mind of the North American Indians as expressed through the symbolism of their art and ritual. It is through his sympathetic understanding of the common humanity of the Indians as manifested through their dramatic symbolism that the author makes his most significant contribution. In brief, this is essentially a work of philosophical interpretation of ethnological material rather than a restatement and description of Indian ritual concepts and customs. — David Bidney, Pennsylvania Magazine of History
304 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 1998
About the author
Hartley Burr Alexander
111 books5 followersHartley Burr Alexander, Ph.D (1873–1939) American philosopher, writer, educator, scholar, poet, and iconographer born Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 9, 1873.
He was on the staff of Webster's Dictionary from 1903—1908, then became professor of philosophy at the University of Nebraska.
He wrote a volume of poetry, Odes and Lyrics (1921). In 1919 he served as president of the American Philosophical Society.
[edit]Iconographer
Burr is believed to have coined the tern iconographer to describe the work that he did developing iconographic schemes, decorative themes and inscriptions for a large number and variety of public buildings in the United States
He was on the staff of Webster's Dictionary from 1903—1908, then became professor of philosophy at the University of Nebraska.
He wrote a volume of poetry, Odes and Lyrics (1921). In 1919 he served as president of the American Philosophical Society.
[edit]Iconographer
Burr is believed to have coined the tern iconographer to describe the work that he did developing iconographic schemes, decorative themes and inscriptions for a large number and variety of public buildings in the United States
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 8, 2009
Interesting read. For a lot of it, I know "the rest of the story". : )
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