Description: Myths and Legends Series: North American Indians by Lewis Spence, with Illustrations from Drawings and Famous Paintings. NOTE: We have 75,000 books in our library, almost 10,000 different titles. Odds are we have other copies of this same title in varying conditions, some less expensive, some better condition. We might also have different editions as well (some paperback, some hardcover, oftentimes international editions). If you don’t see what you want, please contact us and ask. We’re happy to send you a summary of the differing conditions and prices we may have for the same title. DESCRIPTION: Hardback with Dust Jacket: 319 pages. Publisher: Collector's Library of Myth & Legend (2005). In countless tepees, across the wide expanse of the North American continent, the Indian storytellers filled the hours of darkness with tales of myth and magic that held their audiences spellbound. Before the arrival of the Europeans, more than three hundred tribal groups lived in the forests, mountains, and plains of North America. For these Indians, the stories were more than mere entertainment, they were an essential part of a culture based upon a common understanding of mankind’s place in nature. As such the mythology was inseparable from the ceremonies and beliefs of the tribes. In many, such as the Navajo, the mythology was inextricably bound with tribal ceremony and beliefs. Dancers who donned masks to represent gods thereby assumed the spiritual strengths associated with them. The stories that were told varied according to tribe, but they were united by many common themes. Trusting yet superstitious, the American Indian lived close to nature, at one with his surroundings. The mountains, forests, and plains are the settings for these charming stories, which center on hunting, trapping, and other pastoral pursuits. In all of them, the elements play an important part, just as they did in the lives of the Indians themselves. The open air, the wind, the sun, the trees, the stones and the hills were all believed to be living things; even the night and the day. Presiding over all was the Great Spirit, the supreme Indian deity. Many stories tell of a time when the earth was different than it is today, before the coming of the tribes, when animals were considered to be human too. Totemism, the belief that animals had inhabited the land before man and were this better equipped by nature and cunning to survive than primitive mankind, is the prevalent characteristic of the Indian mythologies. The Indians had come to believe that the animals shared their spirit, being at the same time animal and human, thus retaining the ability to assume human form. Animals had souls, spirits, and supernatural powers; while the latecomer, man, was different. Man was merely of flesh and bone. However animals could help him if they chose to. Wild animals, therefore, play a significant role in North American mythology, and include a menagerie of animal-gods, from birds – most notably the eagle, which was venerated by almost every tribe, to serpents, bears, even coyotes. Sine the advent of the white man, the vast majority of the tribes have been all but wiped out, leaving little to remain except memories, many of which are distorted by Hollywood. Nearer to the truth are these stories, the cultural legacy of many races and tribes over thousands of years. “North American Indians” presents a balanced account of their narrative traditions. A fascinating, brief history of the tribes, their cultures, and beliefs prefaces the stories that the Algonquin, the Iroquois, Sioux, Pawnee, and others loved to hear. Included also is a useful glossary that will guide the reader through the tales, for many of the stories existed in a variety of different forms. A map illustrates the distribution of the tribes, and there are thirty full color illustrations of the characters and events described in the myths. CONDITION: NEW. New hardcover w/dustjacket (and sewn-in silk ribbon place-marker) and quarter-cloth printed/decorated laminate covers. Collector's Library of Myth & Legend (2005) 319 pages. Inside the pages are pristine; clean, crisp, unmarked, unmutilated, tightly bound, unambiguously unread. From the outside the book is is clean and without immediately apparent blemish. However the dustjacket and covers do evidence very mild edge and corner shelfwear. The shelfwear to the dustjacket is principally in the form of mild "crinkling" and faint abrasive rubbing to the dustjacket spine head and and heel, and faint crinkling/abrasive rubbing to the dustjacket "tips" (the open corners of the dustjacket, top and bottom, front and back). There is also faint crinkling to the bottom edges of the dustjacket (front and back). If you hold the book up to a light source and scrutinize the dustjacket, you'll also see it evidences very faint rubbing (the dustjacket is a high gloss, photo-finish dark blue and so shows rub marks very easily, even merely from being shelved between other books). Beneath the dustjacket are laminate, decorated covers bearing the same design and artwork as the overlying dustjacket (except that the covers are quarter-cloth). They likewise evidence only very mild crinkling at the four open cover corners (or "tips"). Condition is entirely consistent with new stock from a traditional, shelved book store environment (such as Barnes & Noble, B. Dalton, Borders/Waldenbooks, for example) wherein new books might show faint signs of shelfwear, consequence of routine handling and simply the ordeal of constantly be being shelved and re-shelved. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! Selling rare and out-of-print ancient history books on-line since 1997. We accept returns for any reason within 14 days! #2029.1d. PLEASE SEE IMAGES BELOW FOR SAMPLE PAGES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK. PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW. PUBLISHER REVIEW: REVIEW: James Lewis Thomas Chalmers Spence was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1874. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute and became Vice-President of the Scottish Anthropological and Folklore Society. He is perhaps best known for his comprehensive “Encyclopedia of Occultism” (1920) that was the first work of its kind and, like this book, is still useful today. He is also known for “The Myths of Mexico and Peru” (1913), “The Myths of Ancient Egypt” (1915), and “The History of Atlantis” (1926). Spence was awarded a Royal pension in 1951 for Services to Literature, and died in 1955. PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS: REVIEW: In “The Myths of the North American Indians”, Lewis Spence offers insight into what is unique and distinctive about the Native-American cultures and peoples. Part ethnography, part history, and part literary study, this collection is accessible to academic scholars and mainstream readers alike. Spence presents the distinct cultural and social differences between tribal groups as he examines hunting, costumes, and the afterlife. Spence explores native identity, life, and environment, and at the same time draws connections to similar European motifs and ideologies. REVIEW: Rich anthology of the myths and legends of the Algonquins, Iroquois, Pawnees and Sioux, prefaced by an extensive historical and ethnological commentary. Simply written tales of warrior rivalries, steadfast love and victory over powerful forces are suitable reading for youngsters and entertaining enough for adults. READER REVIEW: REVIEW: This book is a collection of Native American myths and legends from all over North America. There are stories from many different tribes, like the Pawnees, the Chinooks, and the Haida. One of my favorites is from the Algonquin tribe. The story is about how Glooskap, the Algonquin Sun god, conquered all the evil spirits to be found. Then he met his match at the hands of a baby. He was trying to get the baby to come to him, but the baby refused to move. Finally, Glooskap ran away in frustration, and that myth ended. This book has a section for myths and legends, and a section for information about the legends. SHIPPING & RETURNS/REFUNDS: We always ship books domestically (within the USA) via USPS INSURED media mail (“book rate”). Most international orders cost an additional $19.99 to $53.99 for an insured shipment in a heavily padded mailer. 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We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. Please note for international purchasers we will do everything we can to minimize your liability for VAT and/or duties. But we cannot assume any responsibility or liability for whatever taxes or duties may be levied on your purchase by the country of your residence. If you don’t like the tax and duty schemes your government imposes, please complain to them. We have no ability to influence or moderate your country’s tax/duty schemes. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked 30-day return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price; 1) less our original shipping/insurance costs, 2) less any non-refundable fees imposed by eBay Please note that though they generally do, eBay may not always refund payment processing fees on returns beyond a 30-day purchase window. So except for shipping costs and any payment processing fees not refunded by eBay, we will refund all proceeds from the sale of a return item. Obviously we have no ability to influence, modify or waive eBay policies. ABOUT US: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Eastern Europe and Central Asia several times a year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support worthy institutions in Europe and Asia connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are ancient/antique jewelry and gemstones, a reflection of our academic backgrounds. Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, in Eastern Europe and Central Asia antique gemstones are commonly dismounted from old, broken settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset. Before these gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them originally crafted a century or more ago. We believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with modern cutting. Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique, hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut (often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today. We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill. When you purchase from us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from us. There is a $3 fee for mailing under separate cover. I will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so please feel free to write.
Price: 33.99 USD
Location: Lummi Island, Washington
End Time: 2025-01-06T00:49:13.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5.99 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Book Title: Collector's Library of Myth & Legend
Signed: No
Book Series: Historical
Ex Libris: No
Dimensions: 8½ x 5¾ x 1 inch; 1 pound
Publisher: Collector's Library of Myth & Legend
Original Language: English
Intended Audience: Young Adults, Adults
Inscribed: No
Vintage: No
Personalize: No
Publication Year: 2005
Type: Historical
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Author: Lewis Spence
Personalized: No
Features: Dust Jacket, Illustrated, Silk Ribbon Placemarker
Genre: Art & Culture, History
Topic: American History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural History, Cultural Studies, Local History, Modern History, Native Americans, Regional History, Religions of the Ancient World, Religious History, Social History, Social Sciences, World History, Ancient History, Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, Indians, North American Indians, Navajo, Pawnee, Alonquin, Cherokee, Iroquis, Sioux, Chinook, Mythology, Folklore, First People
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Number of Pages: 319
