Spirituality may be the most contentious and poorly understood dimension of Native American communities today. For generations the religious beliefs and practices of Native Americans have been the subject of public fascination and scholarly inquiry. Unfortunately; this ongoing interest has all too frequently been fueled by facile generalizations; inaccurate information; or inappropriate methods of investigation. Given the legacy of misrepresentation and mistrust; is it possible to fully appreciate the religious meanings and experiences of Native Americans? This volume offers a stimulating; multidisciplinary set of essays by noted Native and non-Native scholars that explore the problems and prospects of understanding and writing about Native American spirituality in the twenty-first century. Considerable attention is given to the appropriateness and value of different interpretive paradigms for Native religion; including both "traditional" religion and Native Christianity. The book also investigates the ethics of religious representation; issues of authenticity; the commodification of spirituality; and pedagogical practices. Of special interest is the role of dialogue in expressing and understanding Native American religious beliefs and practices. A final set of essays explores the power of and reactions to Native spirituality from a long-term; historical perspective.
#412701 in Books University of Nebraska Press 2005-03-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .67 x 5.98l; .98 #File Name: 0803271190283 pages
Review
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Compact Overview of the Overland campaign: The Big PictureBy Daniel HurleyThis is not the ultimate book on the overland campaign as Rhea's series of books from the Wilderness through Cold harbor captures all the detail of troop movements; decisions and action along with great documentation. But Grimsley is the big picture book of the overall campaign explaining the global strategies of Grant's attack plan for Virginia with coordinated raids (Sigel; Averell; Crook) along with a major move on Petersburg (Butler) while concentrating on Lee. Excellent short bios on the participants and Grimsley get sraight to it as why actions failed or succeeded. There is a remarkable chapter after the North Anna that covers a very serious side as the author details how the casualties fared as the armies continued to move; he covers the effect of fatigue; battle stress; the fate of prisoners that all grips the reality of war. A very fascinating; and appropriate account of the human effects of war on the participants. The book also comes with very adequate maps and the campaigns are given in fast moving detail. Even after reading Rhea's great books; as I have; I have enjoyed Grimsley's book that virtually stands back and looks at the action and movements of the commanders in broad strokes while explaining their decisions and reactions. For example; after understanding Grant's odd command structure of directly taking charge of Sheridan and Burnside's corps while Meade commands the Army of the Potomac; one understands how stressful and difficult it was for Meade to coordinate his attack plans. If you are going to throw one book in your knapsack for a field tour of the Overland Campaign; this is a great book to read and bring as a reference. Its going with me on my Pamplin Spring tour of the Wilderness through the North Anna this weekend.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Not Great but Very GoodBy D.V. KOKKINOSThe author ;with an eye for detail supported by meticulous and diligent research;describes the most awesome and grueling part of the Civil War.It is the"blood;sweat and tears" campaign of Grant in the Wilderness and beyond;the threshold of the conquest of Richmond and the collapse of the South. Although this took longer the vital crack happened in this inglorious period of time.As the author observes;in this Falkenhaynean strategy Grant had no other approach than to keep battering at the wall and hoping to prise the stones loose.The difference is that Grant unlike all his predecessors pursued his strategy to its logical end.Describing this very important part of the Civil War is not an easy subject;for most of the actions are without flair or impressive results in a short time as for example in Gettysburg.The author is no Selby but it is unfair to expect fine prose from so grim a subject.The text however has didactic value some times overdone.The maps are very useful and well done.Overall it is an honest day's work and the reader is well and intelligently informed;some times overinformed about these ;great in their consequences events.The criticism is addressed more to the editor than the author.It is a well written and well presented text although it will not get the first prize in litterature but then; this was not the purpose for which it was written.It provides a very sober and very valuable analysis of events ;decisions;consequences and judgements hence;that are the deepest and fairest written on the subject to my knowledge.The book deserves a good place in the Civil War library. ;D.V.Kokkinos1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. easy to readBy Paul A. MarquesWell written; informative; easy to read.
