- Paperback: 376 pages
- Publisher: Smithsonian Books; illustrated edition edition (April 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1560983027
- ISBN-13: 978-1560983026
- Product Dimensions: 25.3 x 17.7 x 2.3 cm
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
2,459,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #42 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Other Sports > Lacrosse
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
In a mix of narrative, interviews, analysis, and tribal lore, Mr. Vennum has crafted a complex and entertaining book... American Indian Lacrosse offers a sweeping new perspective on a game that has functioned, at various times, as symbolic combat ritual, healing ceremony, gambling spectacle, war ruse, and intercollegiate sport.
(Washington Times 2008)Brings the game's cultural complexities and historical roles to life... A major contribution to the cultural history of sport.
(American Anthropologist 2009)This exhaustive, well-documented work serves as a definitive study of the sport in its traditional form. A worthy addition to core subject and Native American collections.
(Library Journal 2009)This book presents a rare account.
(Book News )An important study and a good read... Vennum's writing style is an alluring blend of hygienic academic analysis and historical accounts, narratives and interviews, a style used deliberately throughout the book... His book is a compelling journey into the historical exploration of an old team sport.
(Halvdan Haugsbakken idrottsforum.org/recensioner )An interesting recount of the various ways that Indians utilized the game in their cultural, social, and curative worlds.
(Joe Watkins Journal of Anthropological Research )From the first great super bowls of America, those heroic, spiritual contests played out on mile-long arenas for days at a time, to the modern box game on struggling reservations, Indian lacrosse is a telling thread in our national tapestry, and Tom Vennum has brought it to life.
(Robert Lipsyte, New York Times sports columnist )In our attempts to be better, to be successful, to be champions, American Indian Lacrosse helps us achieve greater reward—understanding the essence of the game.
(David Klarmann, head lacrosse coach, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill )Never before has the story of American Indian lacrosse been told in such a way... [Vennum] explains how the sports world failed to give proper recognition to what was once solely a Native American game.
(Mark Burnam, 1993 Major Indoor Lacrosse League Champion ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.Product Description
To understand the aboriginal roots of lacrosse, one must enter a world of spiritual belief and magic where players sewed inchworms into the innards of lacrosse balls and medicine men gazed at miniature lacrosse sticks to predict future events, where bits of bat wings were twisted into the stick's netting, and where famous players were—and are still—buried with their sticks. Here Thomas Vennum brings this world to life.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.co.uk.
5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
A fine synthesis of native and sports history.
6 Aug 1996
Format:Paperback
Vennum's work covers a neglected aspect of North American history: the role of lacrosse in native culture. By examining varieties of the game played across the continent, Vennum demonstrates that it was more than just a sport. Lacrosse provided entertainment, served as a substitute for armed conflict (and sometimes was a precursor to it), and was part of native spirituality. Particularly fascinating is Vennum's ability to weave the sporting aspects of the game with the sociological. Also important is his investigation of how the majority culture has taken this game and turned into something completely different: with standardized plastic sticks and a for-profit motive for playing. By taking the story all the way to the present, the author reveals that to native Americans the game still means much more, although many nations no longer even know they once enjoyed playing the "fastest game on two feet." My only complaint, as a Canadian, is that Vennum appears not to know geography quite well, and he consistently refers to Canadian sites incorrectly. But, overall, this a wonderful book
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
This is a superlative book!
20 April 2002
Format:Paperback
I can't say enough good things about this book! I picked it up while at a book sale and immediately had to have it. It's full of photographs of American Indian teams and tells you the full story of Lacrosse/baggataway and you get so much more--it's an in-depth look at how it affected the peoples and tidbits about their daily lives. Interspersed between each chapter are short 'stories' about lacrosse events.
This is a great book, and a wealth of information. It's about more than just lacrosse. Don't hesitate to get this!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
The Little Brother of War
7 Dec 2008
Format:Paperback
Every year, it seems as though Lacrosse is growing in popularity. With great enthusiasm, new teams are being added at every level. We are truly living in a Golden Age of Lacrosse. Yet, the game seems to be increasingly divorced from its Native American roots. "American Indian Lacrosse" is an essential book for all those are interested in learning where this Pre-Columbian game came from.
Thomas Vennum is a anthropologist based out of the Center for Folklife Programs at the Smithsonian Institute. Vennum has carefully mined both the historical texts and the more recent ethnographies to assemble the most complete story to date of Native American Lacrosse. He examines such important topics as Lacrosse and Indian spirituality and its historic role in warfare and diplomacy. "American Indian Lacroose" is a well written book, dense with historic and anthropological detail. It is a must read for people who want to understand the origins of the game they love.
Thomas Vennum is a anthropologist based out of the Center for Folklife Programs at the Smithsonian Institute. Vennum has carefully mined both the historical texts and the more recent ethnographies to assemble the most complete story to date of Native American Lacrosse. He examines such important topics as Lacrosse and Indian spirituality and its historic role in warfare and diplomacy. "American Indian Lacroose" is a well written book, dense with historic and anthropological detail. It is a must read for people who want to understand the origins of the game they love.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
