Over 1000 illustrations show the fascinating origins and meanings of 300 symbols and signs used by North American tribes. The magnificent variety of symbols are shown as they were used in pottery; clothing; masks; shields; totems; and other settings; carved; sewn; and painted. The collection starts with the simplest symbols--from lines; circles; and curves; to crosses; triangles; and squares--then traces their combinations into ever-more complex designs. Many symbols depict bonds with nature--particularly animals and landscape features--which appear in clan identifications; picture-writing; rituals; legends; and stories that convey heroism and wisdom. A special section explains how more than 80 different animals may have different meanings among cultures of the Southwest; Plains; Northwest Coast; Sub-Arctic North; and the Northeast. 320 pages; 150 b/w illus.; 5 5/8 x 7 1/2.
#219380 in Books Swope Kenneth M 2016-07-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .91 x 6.13l; .0 #File Name: 0806155817432 pagesA Dragon s Head and a Serpent s Tail Ming China and the First Great East Asian War 1592 1598
Review
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Good overview of the Imjin WarBy UsniI feel I have to grade books on the Imjin War (Or as Kenneth Swope has dubbed it "The First Great East Asian War") on a curve since there are precious few English language books written on it. Unlike a event like World War 2 where tons of quality books are churned out every year there isn't a huge pool of books on the Imjin War where you can be picky.So with that said I think "A Dragon's Head and a Serpent's Tail" is a fairly comprehensive book on the Imjin War. It has a relatively easy to read style that makes it a great introductory book for beginners who aren't that familiar with this war. The book is a chronological history of the Imjin War with the intro and conclusions being about how the war is viewed in the participating countries of China; South Korea and Japan with commentary on how this war is completely unknown in the west.My only criticism of the book is that it does seem very biased towards the Ming. While this was what Swope declared from the onset I felt he was a little much of a Ming fanboy even for a book that is suppose to be the war from the Ming point of view.But I feel that is nitpicking; it's still a worthwhile read and a must have if you are interested in the Imjin War.16 of 20 people found the following review helpful. Correcting Bias Without A SourceBy MingSwope's text set out to correct what he perceives is the pro-Korean bias in Hawley's book and he does a fairly good at it; to an extent. His book focuses more on the Ming and he puts it in a more positive light than Hawley. He gives a more optimistic view of the Ming under Wanli; a view that I happen to share and agree with after doing some research on my own. And that is where the book stops getting good. If you're looking for a detailed book on the Imjin War; then this is not the one for you. Hawley's text "The Imjin War" goes into more details about the engagements and despite its small and subtle pro-Korean bias; it is very well written with a wealth of sources to back it up. The same cannot be said of this one and I'll explain one of the most glaring mistakes Swope made.I don't mean to be rude but those people who gave this book 5 stars either didn't pay attention to what Swope wrote or they haven't read other sources on the Imjin War. In Swope's book; beginning on Page 150; he implies that Song Yingchang went with the army to Korea. In Page 156; he wrote that Song Yingchang led troops into battle and participated in the capture of Pyongyang. Yet Song was nowhere near Korea during that time and his own letters showed that he never set foot in Korea. This was also documented in the Ming Shi (History of the Ming); complied during the Qing Dynasty.I don't care what sources Swope used to come to this conclusion but I would think that Song's OWN LETTERS would supersede any other source. This has led me to think that Swope didn't bother with that important primary source and probably got his information from a secondary source. Even Hawley; who he criticizes in his footnotes if you bothered looking at them; didn't write about Song setting foot in Korea. This is a major error that SHOULD NOT be present in an academic text; particularly one that claims to be correcting biases with more research. Three stars is what I'm giving it and I recommend you not waste your money and just go buy Hawley's version.6 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A Dramatic Compelling Read for Students of Asian HistoryBy Timothy J. LoganDragon's Head and Serpent's Tail; is a remarkable work which illustrates the immense value of a cross-national analysis of one of the most pivotal events of the 16th century which still resonates down to the modern era..As a student of Japanese History I have noted that Japanese centric historians (both eastern and western) tend to treat Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea as a footnote. The Cambridge history of Japan provides less than 30 pages of narrative; almost all of it from the Japanese perspective; with a few insights to the Ming's. The Cambridge history barely mentions the Koreans.The same treatment can be said of the Chinese Historians; who traditionally treat Korea as a footnote.Kenneth Swope's approach to the First Great East Asian War is remarkable; detailed; and a "page turner" read for anyone interested in East Asia. Swope carries along his fast paced work by revealing for the first time to the Western reader the nuances; complications; and horrific misunderstandings between the Koreans; the Japanese; and the Chinese Ming's; that lead to this senseless and futile bloodbath.For students of the Korean War; or of the Japanese Annexation of Korea; there are invaluable insights in this book.I cannot recommend this book more highly for those interested in East Asian History. For those who want just a good historical narrative; you must read this book.
