Nelson spent a year among the Koyukon people of western Alaska; studyingtheir intimate relationship with animals and the land. His chronicle ofthat visit represents a thorough and elegant account of the mysticalconnection between Native Americans and the natural world.—Outside"This admirable reflection on the natural history of the Koyukon Riverdrainage in Alaska is founded on knowledge the author gained as a studentof the Koyukon culture; indigenous to that region. He presents theseAthapascan views of the land—principally of its animals and Koyukonrelationships with those creatures—together with a measured account of hisown experiences and doubts. . . . For someone in search of a nativeAmerican expression of 'ecology' and natural history; I can think of nobetter place to begin than with this work."—Barry Lopez; Orion Nature Quarterly"Far from being a romantic attempt to pass on the spiritual lore of NativeAmericans for a quick fix by others; this is a very serious ethnographicstudy of some Alaskan Indians in the Northern Forest area. . . . He haspainstakingly regarded their views of earth; sky; water; mammals and everycreeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. He does admire their love ofnature and spirit. Those who see the world through his eyes using theireyes will likely come away with new respect for the boreal forest and thosewho live with it and in it; not against it."—The Christian Century"In Make Prayers to the Raven Nelson reveals to us the Koyukonbeliefs and attitudes toward the fauna that surround them in their forestedhabitat close to the lower Yukon. . . . Nelson's presentation also givesrich insights into the Koyukon subsistence cycle through the year and intothe hardships of life in this northern region. The book is written withboth brain and heart. . . . This book represents a landmark: never beforehas the integration of American Indians with their environment been so wellspelled out."—Ake Hultkrantz; Journal of Forest History
#405654 in Books Laura Kaplan 1997-06-09 1997-06-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .90 x 5.50l; .80 #File Name: 0226424219334 pagesThe Story of Jane The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service
Review
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful. We Did It Once; We'll Do It Again If Need BeBy Broken GoddessWhat these women did when they saw a need is one of the most astounding stories of courage and brilliance I've come across. The care they took; the lengths they went to; how they evolved—stunning. Jane; a core groups of about 25 - 30 women; existed for just four years; and in that time it's estimated that Jane changed for the better the lives of over 11;000 women while at the same time literally saving their lives—from the hands of butchers in a time with abortion was illegal—and how they actually turned this terrifying decision women face into a positive experience.The Story of Jane is one of the most inspiring books I've read. It's women's history and cultural history. It shows what women went through at the hands of butchers—who sometimes demanded sex along with payment from frightened; desperate women—and what they experienced at the loving; safe; caring hands of Jane. And doctors—withholding information; Godlike; righteous—becoming demystified by the collective intelligence and fearlessness of Jane. And education; what the women learned as they came through the service; how they took responsibility for their own empowering decision; all thanks to Jane. And how the service affected members of Jane in their daily lives is something that every woman should experience.In today's cultural climate; frighteningly; when women's rights are being chipped away at in almost every state in this country; this book is more important than ever. If you want to see what it was like for women when they had no control over their own bodies; and what it may be like again; very soon; if we don't stand up for our rights and fight back; read this book.Let's do it for Jane.6 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Amazing!By ganddw42"The Story of Jane" by Laura Kaplan. An account of what it will be like if the pro life zealots ever manage to outlaw abortion again. No doubt; what is currently going on in states where the right wing has been almost legislated it out of existence by those determined to impose their religious beliefs upon the rest of us. That's all the belief 'Life begins at Conception' as well as the erroneous term 'baby's' comes from. You would have thought the Prohibition era where alcohol was banned by the same moralistic crowd would have taught these zealots something; but apparently it didn't. Where crime ran rampant in this country and was swimming in illegal alcohol. It did nothing to stop people from drinking. In most cases; it encouraged people to drink. Morality cannot be legislated into existence with useless laws. Laws that only aid crime to run rampant and wind up being paid for by the taxpayer who is left to foot the bill for moral ideologues ignorance. People will always take matters into their own hands and will do what is illegal if they want the service bad enough. Admittedly these ladies were a bit more sophisticated; audacious and ingenious than I always imagined the average abortionist being; but; I was raised in the 50's where sexual information was a dirty word. I got married not having a clue about sex. I always saw abortionist's in a different light; one that was propagated by moralist's bent on painting the worst picture imaginable. So reading this book was an eye opening experience. From all of my research into the subject; they were not the only ones indulging in illegal abortion. It was common for Doctor's at the time to do such things too. There was a whole network of doctor's across this country doing the exact same thing. Dr. Tiller discovered after his father died in an automobile accident that he had been doing the same thing since the early 40's. So no matter how many useless laws these people legislate; abortion will still be around. These ladies appeared to be more in the business on moral grounds than they did monetary reasons. Even though a lot of people see abortion as immoral. A lot of us see unwanted children who are abused as being a bigger immorality that is a result of no abortion. That doesn't include overpopulation; grinding poverty; starvation and homelessness only to name a few. So; I admire ladies like these; even though I don't think I could do it. I would definitely find myself tempted if it ever becomes illegal again. It's the best account I have read to date as what we know will happen if abortion becomes illegal. So if you are looking for a 'what if' books this is it.10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Important look at early feminist actions.By A ReaderThere was a lot I didn't know about the early years of the legalization of abortion; and this book really taught me a lot. I had no idea that there had been feminist collectives to do this kind of thing; or that much like with the current feminist movement; the women involved were from such diverse backgrounds. In this era of the erosion of the right to choice; this is an important book both to show us how it was and to help inspire a new wave of action.
