John Bierhorst shows how South America's principal myths can be traced from tribe to tribe and how each region has developed its own unique oral tradition. Generous samples from the stories themselves introduce the female creators of the northern Andes, the male gods of the ancient Incas, and the Brazilian tricksters Sun and Moon. Originally published in 1988, Bierhorst has updated the text to reflect the abundance of new information that has become available, and written a new Afterword in which he emphasizes the durability of Indian mythology. Illustrations of native artwork and chapters devoted to special topics - including the connections between myths and politics - help to provide a well-rounded overview of this fascinating and little-known lore. Detailed maps show tribal locations and the distribution of key stories and samples of differing narrative styles add enrichment, as some of the world's purest and most powerful myths are made more accessible - and more meaningful - than ever before.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
John Bierhorst is the author, editor, or translator of more than thirty books on Native American lore--eight of which have been named Notable Books by the American Library Association.
Grade 8 Up In this overview and guide to the myths of the many tribes of South America, a distinguished folklorist introduces the scholarship behind the study of this mythology. While providing samples of the stories themselves, Bierhorst concentrates on the themes and motifs of the principal myths, the variants of them among the tribes, and on legends unique to individual tribes. He divides South America into seven regions, summarizing the great mythological themes of each. There are creation myths, stories of origins, stories about the roles of men and women and conflicts between the sexes, and stories which very frankly tell of the origins of various aspects of anatomy and sexuality. Gifford's Warriors, Gods, and Spirits from Central and South American Mythology (Schocken, 1983) tells some of the stories with introductory material for each region. The two books complement each other. Bierhorst provides a guide to the different tribal cultures and their vast folklore, while Gifford provides the stories themselves in a fuller form, covering both Central and South America in one profusely illustrated volume. Bierhorst's is an excellent book, illustrated with native artworks, for readers seriously interested in mythology or for student reports. Louise Yarian Zwick, Houston Public Library
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Reprint. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 4952730-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Reprint. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 40711578-75
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: N. Fagin Books, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1988. South America, Native Americans. Quill/William Morrow. Very good paperback 269p. 3/24 crate. Seller Inventory # 12787
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 5.1. Seller Inventory # G0688107397I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 5.1. Seller Inventory # G0688107397I4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The Maryland Book Bank, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Used - Very Good. Seller Inventory # 2-R-5-0602
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Acceptable. Acceptable, Reading copy only, with writing/markings, bumps/creasing, and heavy wear. Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # mon0000203214
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: CARDINAL BOOKS ~~ ABAC/ILAB, London -- Birr, ON, Canada
Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. Softcover. Slight foxing to edges. Otherwise a clean, tight and completely unmarked copy. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Book. Seller Inventory # 48575n2
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
Softcover. Condition: Fine. First edition. Fine in wrappers. Review Copy. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information. Seller Inventory # 169432
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Werdz Quality Used Books, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Clean, tight, unmarked; light wear to upper inside corner; otherwise very minimal shelf wear; "This book discusses the mythology from Indians of various regions of South America, describing origins, comparing the similar tales and presenting some of the myths themselves.". Seller Inventory # 002003
Quantity: 1 available