Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2019 - Social & Behavioral Sciences — Anthropology — Classical Studies

Historically, the peoples of the Lower Mississippi Valley were among the densest populations in North America. In Clues to Lower Mississippi Valley Histories, Kaufman, an independent researcher who focuses on indigenous language documentation, revitalization, and language contact, uses linguistic evidence to provide an enlightening account of the social and cultural history of this area. Well written and comprehensive, this volume traces the linguistic and trade ties between the Lower Mississippi Valley and other settlements, most notably Cahokia near present-day St. Louis, which was larger even than London at the time. Detailing the influence of Cahokia on the trade routes and language of the Lower Mississippi Valley, this work suggests an even larger network of cultural exchange, spanning as far north as the Ohio Valley and as far south as the Valley of Mexico. Scholars will appreciate the detailed accounts of the many indigenous languages that have sadly been nearly lost in terms of present-day active speakers, making this a useful resource for those working to revitalize these languages. This text is a feast of information for students in Native American studies, archaeology, history, anthropology, and linguistics.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.

Anthropologists have long studied how Native Americans build sustainable economies in internal colonialized situations. In the 1970s-80s, those researching ethnic art as household industries marketing to tourists and middle-class consumers found there were challenges because of the structure of the art market and its control by a series of nonnative go-betweens. In Sovereign Entrepreneurs, Lewis takes the study of artists as small business owners one step further and shows how they have overcome these problems on the eastern band of Cherokee lands in North Carolina over the last 40 years. By focusing her analysis on all small businesses and entrepreneurs in a single native community, she uncovers the challenges and successes of individual initiatives. In this fascinating study, Lewis shows how diversity can overcome the dangers of a nation's relying on one economic product--casinos--and how individual and household entrepreneurship provides stability as well as room for necessary innovation. This book is an informative case study for indigenous studies, economics, and anthropology and a must read for classes that generative discussions on policy and sovereignty at multiple levels.Summing Up: Essential. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty.

Looper, art historian and Maya epigrapher, presents in this important volume a series of essays on the role and meaning of deer in the life, ritual, and mythology of the Maya from ancient times to the present day. Deer were the largest animals hunted by pre-conquest Maya agriculturalists and were a vital source of meat for the elite. Deer or deer-like hybrids with other animals, persons, and gods figured prominently in elite-generated art on stone monuments, painted pottery, and in hieroglyphic manuscripts. Using approaches that have already made him prominent in the study of Maya writing and iconography (To Be like Gods: Dance in Ancient Maya Civilization CH, Nov'09, 47-1338), Looper explores deer imagery as a powerful metaphor relaying messages about Maya sexuality, warfare, kingship, renewal, disease, and death. The author makes important contributions here, especially to ongoing efforts to recover poorly understood aspects of ancient Maya mythology as revealed through scenes on painted pottery. Profusely illustrated, well written, and amply documented, this book can also serve as a rewarding entree into broader subjects of ancient and modern Maya culture from archaeological, art historical, and ethnographic perspectives.Summing Up: Essential. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.