Handbook of the Indians of California

by Alfred Louis Kroeber

This two volume set is the definitive work on Indians of California. There are over 160 illustrations and maps. A detailed index makes this set thoroughly referential.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, History, Native American

1050 pages, Library Binding

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

Alfred Louis Kroeber was an American cultural anthropologist. He received his Ph.D. under Franz Boas at Columbia University in 1901, the first doctorate in anthropology awarded by Columbia. He was also the first professor appointed to the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. He played an integral role in the early days of its Museum of Anthropology, where he served as Director from 1909 through 1947. Kroeber provided detailed information about Ishi, the last surviving member of the Yahi people, whom he studied over a period of years. He was the father of the acclaimed novelist, poet, and writer of short stories Ursula K. Le Guin.

Reviews

[Laura Hoopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic treatment of the tribes of California by a career anthropologist but out of date in attitudes and approaches in some ways. Relies a lot on naming by association with missions, which is unlikely to give tribes that existed before the Spanish invasion. Lots of emphasis on the northern California tribes which Kroeber studied more. Very brief treatment of some southern tribes, but others are well done. Illustrations of artefacts, events.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing first-hand accounts of cultures & lifestyles that have drastically changed since the first publication. These seem to be from a colonizer's perspective though, with a lot of judging and not true, unbiased ethnographies.

[Õmãr Bëlåbïd]

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