Indian Country: America's Sacred Land

by Tony Hillerman

With characteristic style and grace, Tony Hillerman describes the intangible yet powerful aura of the Southwest, America's sacred land, while photographer Bela Kalman captures its beauty through his color photographs. The book is a tribute to a place where the land's spirits are as real as it inhabitants.

Now in its third printing, 'Indian Country: America's Sacred Land'is now available exclusively from the University of New Mexico Press.

"First Man spread a blue blanket on the ground, shaped the mountain, pinned it to the earth with a magic flint knife, decorated it with gems of turquoise, and assigned another 'yei' from the Navajo pantheon of spirits, Turguoise Girl, to live on Mosca Peak, forever guarding the Navajo from the evils that might disrupt their harmony with the universe. There, in the poetry of the Navajo creation story, the bluebirds nest. And there the morning mists form the holy House Made of Dawn." —Tony Hillerman

Genres: History, Travel, Reference

173 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Tony Hillerman, who was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, was a decorated combat veteran from World War II, serving as a mortarman in the 103rd Infantry Division and earning the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. Later, he worked as a journalist from 1948 to 1962. Then he earned a Masters degree and taught journalism from 1966 to 1987 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he resided with his wife until his death in 2008. Hillerman, a consistently bestselling author, was ranked as New Mexico's 25th wealthiest man in 1996. - Wikipedia

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There aren't any page numbers in this book, which makes it difficult to track images and thoughts I want to reference. The text and images are loosely connected. Sometimes, when I expected a photo, there wasn't one, and sometimes, when I needed an explanation, it didn't exist.

The aerial views of the various pueblos are beautiful; they capture a sense of place that I don't often see.

I've visited this country several times and I believe that each person takes away something different from the experience.

[Dawn Lofink · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good visual guide to Tony Hillerman's work.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photographs are beautiful and the text is fascinating. Loved it, even if the title is not very politically correct now.

[Els Willems · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fan of all Hillerman’s Leaphorn and Chee series, his insight in Navajo/Diné and Pueblo cultures. Don’t expect action, these are character driven detectives.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the title says. Hillerman's novels are almost all set among the Diné (Navajo). This is a very handy guide for readers who want to enhance their experience of the books by learning about the land and the culture that serve as the backdrop for the stories.

[Shadow]

Bloody heck! Do you now how much they want for this book USED??? Start at $154.99 and go up from there. Will be awhile before I get to see this book. Might have to make a pilgrimage out to the Four Corners area just to *see* the book.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful writing with beautiful pictures.