California Indians and Their Environment: An Introduction: 96 (California Natural History Guides) - Softcover

Lightfoot, Kent

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0520256905 ISBN 13: 9780520256903

Publisher: California University Press, 2009

Synopsis

Capturing the vitality of California's unique indigenous cultures, this major new introduction incorporates the extensive research of the past thirty years into an illuminating, comprehensive synthesis for a wide audience. Based in part on new archaeological findings, it tells how the California Indians lived in vibrant polities, each boasting a rich village life including chiefs, religious specialists, master craftspeople, dances, feasts, and ceremonies. Throughout, the book emphasizes how these diverse communities interacted with the state's varied landscape, enhancing its already bountiful natural resources through various practices centered around prescribed burning. A handy reference section, illustrated with more than one hundred color photographs, describes the plants, animals, and minerals the California Indians used for food, basketry and cordage, medicine, and more.At a time when we are grappling with the problems of maintaining habitat diversity and sustainable economies, we find that these native peoples and their traditions have much to teach us about the future, as well as the past, of California.

About this title

Review:

"One of the best books of its nature to ever cross the trail is the scholarly yet accessible California Indians and Their Environment."--Press Democrat (06/22/2009)

"Anyone seriously interested in the cultural history and daily lives of California's Indians will want to check out a copy of this reference book."--Salinas Californian (08/07/2009)

"Indispensable for anyone interested in Native cultures and in human interactions with the California environment. . . . Essential."-- (07/08/2010)

"A valuable resource for all Californians who wish to learn more about the tremendous biological and cultural diversity that surrounds us."--News From Native California (07/12/2010)

"[A] pivotal work. . . . I recommend this book to anyone interested in California Indians and their interactions with their environment."-- (01/20/2013)

About the Author:

Kent G. Lightfoot, Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, is author of Indians, Missionaries, and Merchants: The Legacy of Colonial Encounters on the California Frontiers (UC Press), among other books. Otis Parrish is a member of the Kashaya Pomo Tribe.

About this edition

• Publisher: California University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0520256905
• ISBN 13: 9780520256903
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 512