In the Trail of the Wind: American Indian Poems and Ritual Orations [B0657]

1973 HCDJ 3rd printing of the 1971 original edition. An American Library Association (ALA) Notable Book. A story--and history--reaching back thousands of years unfolds in this diverse and unusual collection of Native American poetry, which gathers dozens of works that have been translated from over forty languages. Representing all the best-known Indian peoples of North and South America, In the Trail of the Wind is a cross-cultural anthology--the first of its kind--that brings into focus the similarities between tribes as widely separated as the Sioux and the Aztec, the Cherokee and the ancient Maya. Here we find an array of omens, battle songs, orations, love lyrics, prayers, dreams, and mysteries incantations. Beginning with the origin of the earth and the emergence of humanity, the sequence of poems proceeds through that rituals of birth, love, war, and death to the foreshadowing of the Conquest, the days of despair, and, finally, the apocalyptic visions of a new life. Editor John Bierhorst offers a detailed Introduction; a richly thorough Notes section on the translators, meanings, contexts, and specific references of these poems; and a complete Glossary of Tribes, Cultures, and Languages. In the Trail of the Wind concludes with a Suggestions for Further Reading page.

From Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "This book gives us a personal, intimate side of the American Indian going back to their ancient roots. When we see these poems side by side from the many tribes of the Indian nation, we truly sense that America was born long before the European settlers arrived. We share in their trials, tribulations, and spiritual quests in a way that the history books miss."; "It's difficult to be pleased by Beirhorst's decision to place relevant and helpful information, like the names of the translators and the date translated/published, in the endnotes. Had he presented each poem with a paragraph description relating the salient details, when and where this poem or song was heard and written down, "In the Trail of the Wind" would be a more interesting and informative read. The name of the person who sang the songs, recited the poems and repeated the prophecies should be on the page too."