Totem poles /

A beautiful book, generously illustrated with very fine line drawings and photographs, some recent and some archival. It is intended primarily for a nonspecialist audience, but Native Americans, anthropologists, archaeologists, art historians, and others interested in the Pacific Northwest--and Native North America in general--will nevertheless find it useful and enjoyable reading. Basically, this is a selective guide to some of the most accessible, and most artistically notable, totem poles in British Columbia (including Vancouver Island) and Alaska. Maps of the poles' locations are included, along with relatively good directions on how to find them (many are located on museum grounds and in parks). Each description includes the pole's history, often a brief sketch of the carver who created the pole, and a description of its meaning and content. Stewart, who is well known for her previous books on Northwest Coast art and history, mixes in-depth research about the poles' functions and symbolism with retelling of legends, interviews with carvers, and descriptions of recent pole raisings (events of great significance and celebration); and she presents a coherent and respectful picture of one of the world's great artistic traditions. -M. McCormick, City University of New York

Totem poles are "the very symbol of Northwest Coast Indian people and their art." Stewart, a highly regarded archaeologist and regional specialist, has put together an in-depth study of the culture and history of totem poles and their symbolism and significance. She relates the legends depicted in the poles, distinguishes between various styles, and provides information on how totem poles are carved and raised. After this overview, the remainder of the book is devoted to descriptions of more than 100 specific totem poles, illustrated by Stewart's superbly detailed drawings. The drawings capture the purity of line and contour of the expressive figures with far more definition than photo~graphs, although black-and-white photos also accompany the text. Information on each pole's location and carver is included, as well as the inspiration for its creation. Aimed at the popular audience, this is a painless way to become an expert on these proud and powerful monuments. ~--Donna Seaman