Nations of the Southwest

Native Nations of North America

by Amanda Bishop

The Southwest region was home to some of the earliest inhabitants of North America. The diverse landscapes of deserts, mountains, and rivers provided food, shelter, and raw materials to ancient cultures as well as later groups, such as the Apache, Comanche, Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, and many others. This book uses vivid images and detailed text to describe: - types of dwellings used by various nations, including hogans and pueblos - nomadic and sedentary lifestyles - different methods of gathering and cultivating both wild plants and tended crops - arts and crafts, including the pottery, baskets, jewelry, and blankets for which this region is world famous - family relations and organization - the effects of contact with Europeans and Americans Teacher's guide available.

Genres: History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because of the large type and the many pictures, I assumed this was for kids, but it isn't. It's probably most appropriate for someone who's visited some of the many historical sites in NM and AZ and who wants a summary of how all these sites (and their original occupants) are related.

5 stars for the choice of illustrations!

I did find out that some (probably a lot) of my info is outdated. For example, on p 18 I learned that:
Two related nations, the Akimal O'odham and Tohono O'odham (formerly known as the Pima and Papago) lived in what is now southern Arizona. They inhabited the territory of their ancestors, the Hohokam.

The problem: It's going to take a while for me to remember those new names!

This quote also shows the overuse of terms that aren't familiar, which makes for choppy reading. Here's another example of the problem.

p 20: The Mohave and Quechans were aggressive to smaller nations such as the Halchidhoma, Kohuana, Kaveltcadom (Kavelchadom), and Halykiwamai.