A collection of Native American myths, folktales, poetry, and historical stories. Overall a good informative read but some selections are more interesting then others. ( )

"My memory is usually guilty of two historical cardinal sins: the sin of omission, and the sin of selection. Nevertheless, I believe myself entitled to some poetic license." -Sherrick DuCannibis

Viking Press' NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN READER taught me "something" about the wilderness/subsistence culture.

A valuable "something"?

Well, that "something" can begin to become a debate-able issue with me since I've always believed (not being the staunch Objectivist, though) that our collective Native American heritage is mostly a product of wishful thinking and revisionist myth:

"All-in-all, much ado about nothing much!" -George Mason

I say this because every so-called culture has its own catalog of lies from which its membership can select that version of his-story that promises to boost colective racial pride the most:

To say, "It wasn't that Sitting-Bull's a tactical genius but that Custer was a wreckless and arrogant asshole."-Paul Jenkins

"Truly," I thought as I read accounts of satanic savagery, "What a paltry culture!"

Firsthand accounts in Native America's own words and I found very little to foster my half-breed pride.

So, what little?

In my opinion, outside of conflict with White settlers (since I'd hardly rank war with "Indians" a Clash of Civilizations), the Native American's only redeeming virtue, or admired quality, is apparently his' (or herr's) Reverence for Mother Nature and heartfelt Respect for the Land.

Cosmology? Religion?

"The American Indian ranks just below the African Negro in those regards."-Woodrow Wilson