American Indian Myths and Legends

This is a very problematic text. Most, if not all, of the texts are paraphrases. It's probably why so many of them sound like fairy tales. It's the manner they were chosen to be presented, and they read like the products of a literate culture, which they are not. We are talking about oral storytelli......more

This collection of Native American myths is wonderful. It is divided into ten parts that cover 1) myths about the creation of man, 2) about the creation of the world, 3) about the sky, the moon and the stars, 4) about monsters and heroes, 5) about war 6) love, 7) Trickster tales, 8) stories with ani......more

I first opened American Indian Myths and Legends in 2006. I remember the book’s Pantheon paperback edition sitting in my hand like a promise — thick, solid, almost audacious in its breadth. Over 160 tales, the back cover said, gathered from 80 different Native American tribal groups. A chorus of voi......more

When I ordered this book I was hoping to find an unadulterated peek into pre-colonial indigenous lore. That is not what this book is, so don't expect it if you pick the book up for yourself. That said, I still think American Indian Myths and Legends is a valuable book to read. Inside you'll find a la......more

"The trees spoke to each other. Every day and every moment they were talking, and they are still talking now in an unknown language which humans do not understand." Part One (Tales of Human Creation): Also included are tales of how some tribes get their sacred ceremonies, horses (or Elk Dogs, here, s......more