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Library | Call Number | Status |
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Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | R 970.00497 NAT 2001 | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
This resource provides comprehensive coverage of all major aspects of the civilization and culture of the indigenous peoples of the US and Canada, including historic and contemporary information on all North American Indian groups and issues relevant to them.
Reviews (2)
Choice Review
Not really an almanac, but a combination handbook/encyclopedia/directory, this work, edited by UCLA's American Indian Studies Center director, successfully examines at some level nearly all aspects of the Native American experience. Each of its 17 sections is divided into chapters and treats a different topic--e.g.,prehistory and history, population changes, culture areas, law, religion, education, the economy. Each section has its own bibliography, and some include appropriate directories (of sites, place names, museums, communities, organizations, etc.). Some sections are larger than others; "Chronology" is nearly 200 pages, "Literature" only 10. A multidisciplinary team of contributors provide signed articles, which are generally well written, although some are better focused than others. The editor's emphasis on the 20th century and the balance between US and Canadian coverage are highlights of the volume. The largest section contains biographical sketches of prominent Native Americans, and while there is some overlap with other recent works--e.g., Carl Waldman's Who Was Who in Native American History, (CH, Nov'90) and Barry T. Klein's Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian (4th ed., CH, Jun'87)--many entries are unique (including that for the editor himself). On the negative side, the index is not as comprehensive as one might like; some of the black-and-white illustrations are not up to par (although maps and photos are excellent); and the directory information will go out of date long before the text. Overall, however, an excellent reference source, highly recommended for all academic libraries. J. C. Wanser; Hiram College
Library Journal Review
Editor Champagne, the director of UCLA's American Indian Studies Center, was aided by a staff of over 70 specialist editors and contributing authors in compiling this almanac. The Almanac's 17 chapters cover such topics as culture areas, religion, arts, health, education, economy, languages, and legislation, plus a chronology from 11,000 B.C. through the early 1990s and biographies of prominent Native North Americans. The latter part of each chapter covers Canadian aboriginals. As such, it is broader in scope than other recent publications, e.g., Barry Klein's Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian (LJ 1/93) or Arlene Hirschfelder's Native American Almanac (LJ 11/1/93); Hirschfelder's almanac covers many of the same topics as this one but more briefly and in a less scholarly style. Numerous photos depict a wide variety of American Indian activities, with charts, maps, listings by state, and subtopical bibliographies rounding out each chapter. A glossary, general bibliography, and 35-page index further aid the reader. Recommended as a general source for ready reference answers and as an authoritative overview on the topics.-Stanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, Ind. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.