Description
Book SynopsisProvides an intimate and informative glimpse of photographer Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952) and his associates as they embarked on their epic quest to document through word and picture the traditional cultures of Native Americans in the western United States - cultures that Curtis believed were inevitably doomed.
Trade Review“Gidley’s 29-page introductory essay is essential reading, summarizing Curtis’s work, cultural contexts, and culture change. . . . Gidley’s historical and literary assessment of the largest anthropological enterprise undertaken in the U.S. provides a valuable, coherent insight into the man and his era.”—
Choice “This book is a real treat for Curtis fans and detractors. With this anthology of original sources and Gidley’s earlier biography we have the best possible introduction to Curtis’s fascinating work.”—Ira Jacknis,
Current Anthropology"Certainly no stranger to this material, Gidley has mined a rich trove of letters, reports, magazine and newspaper articles, and other documents to craft an edited volume with potential appeal for diverse readership. In broad view, his selections . . . affirm the underlying humanism that Curtis and other principals brought to their study."—Jerry R. Galm,
Oregon Historical Society"The information in this well-researched little volume sheds light on the views of Curtis and his contemporaries concerning their work and the Native peoples they worked with."—Anne Hillerman,
Southwest Book ViewsTable of ContentsList of IllustrationsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsExplanatory Notes1. Introduction2. In the Southwest3. On the Plains4. In the Northwest5. Up and Down the West Coast6. Generally SpeakingNotes References CitedIndex
