San Antonio College Library

"Sky Loom offers a dazzling introduction to Native American myths, stories, and songs drawn from previous collections by acclaimed translator and poet Brian Swann. With a general introduction by Swann, Sky Loom is a stunning collection that provides a glimpse into the intricacies and beauties of story and myth, placing them in their cultural, historical, and linguistic contexts. Each of the twenty-six selections is translated and introduced by a well-known...

"Presents Mexican myths and sacred hymns, lyric poetry, rituals, drama and various forms of prose, accompanied by informed criticism and comment ... from the Aztecs, the Mayas, the Mixtecs and Zapotecs of Oaxaca, the Tarascans of Michoacan, the Otomis of central Mexico, and others."

With 114 selections representative of at least 28 tribes as well as contemporary individual writers, this book goes from creation myths, through pre-Columbian tales and poetry; to the great orations and protest speeches, to the attempts at assimilation, and then to the present resurgence of Pan Indianism.

"This collection, drawing on Indian memories, symbolism and critical evaluations, adds to our understanding of both the traditional and contemporary literature of and about the American Indian. The whole spectrum of thought about Indian literature is covered here, starting with a Seneca legend on the origin of storytelling; progressing to nineteenth century commentaries by writers such as the Christian convert George Copway (Kah-Ge-Ga-Bowh), novelist...

A collection of 41 Alaskan Indian tales, transcribed in 1935 by Frederica de Laguna and Norman Reynolds during an archaeological survey of the middle and lower Yukon River valley, are beautifully illustrated with 71 original wood engravings by Dale DeArmond. The stories, set in Distant Time when animals and birds were "human," range from serious myths to slyly humorous misadventures, including the exploits of the roguish Crow. -- from Barnes & Noble....