Talking to the Ground: One Family's Journey on Horseback Across the Sacred Land of the Navajo |  | Author: Douglas Preston
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
Category: Book
Buy New: $20.00
as of 9/7/2010 23:02 CDT details
New (6) Used (17) from $12.86
Seller: mikkoo
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 918,667
Media: Paperback
Pages: 284
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 9 x 5.8 x 0.8
ISBN: 0826317405
Dewey Decimal Number: 979.135
EAN: 9780826317407
ASIN: 0826317405
Publication Date: September 1, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In 1992 Doug Preston and his family rode horseback across 400 miles of desert in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. They were retracing the route of the Navajo deity Naayéé' neizghání, the Slayer of Alien Gods, on his quest to restore beauty and balance to the Earth. More than a travelogue, Preston's account of the journey is a tale of two cultures meeting in a sacred land. "A gripping adventure that blends Navajo mysticism, prophecy and the epic story of creation with the day-to-day account of a family's physical struggle across the Southwest's deserts and mountainsand their spiritual struggle to find their place in the world."Phoenix Gazette "As fresh and charming as it is originally conceived and smartly executed."Outside "A thought-provoking study of the intricate relationships among geography, religions and cultures in the modern Southwest. . . .Preston, a superb researcher, presents difficult concepts in lucid language."Susan Lowell, Cleveland Plain Dealer
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
A narrative of a journey of journeys June 26, 1996
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
Preston's TALKING TO THE GROUND is one of the most gripping narratives I have read. Why? He takes us along with him (and family) to the dusty trails of Navajo Mountain on horseback down into Navajo Lands including Monument Valley and eventually Shiprock. As we ride the pilgrimage trail with the author, we too become faint and dizzy as we pick our way down incredibly steep, almost trailless cliffs. We hope, as we follow the route of the mythological monster slayer, that there will be some little spring or seep for our horses to take a drink. We hope we will get to the next Navajo dwelling where we might purchase some hay for our tired and hungry animals. We are elated when Preston and family make it to safe terrain after weeks of hardship. No novice to this marvelous country of the American Southwest, Preston had studied Navajo mythology and mysticism deligently during his days as a researcher at the American Museum of Natural History. He had also studied maps and made inquiries about the possibility of riding across the entire Navajo Nation to gain spiritual strength and wisdom. It is as shocking to the reader as it was to Preston when he was told by sunglassed young Navajo turks at Monument Valley that he couldn't possibly know a damn thing about Navajo lands and culture on such a superficial trip as this--riding horseback for several hundred miles and reading other honkies' books. Yet this moment of humility strengthens the narrative by allowing for soul searching and further journeying into wonder to trail's end at Shiprock
scholastic reality February 23, 2006
Thomas Dering (in California)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It's a pleasure to enjoy the author's background studies (dry) and then his reality (with large hail stones) on a search that leads to more respect... for everything.
Reading this book caused me to yearn for some concrete search of my own, and that is the dream this book passes along. It was given to me as someone else's favorite book. I can see why. Thanks.
Enchanting adventure in the Navajo Nation March 10, 2006
Liza (CA United States)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
It helps immensely to have travelled to the Navajo Nation when reading this story. I found that I had minor interest in the developing family story, compared to the lore and myth of the SW Native Americans. If you've travelled to the SW and are familiar with horses, you'll love this book.
Talking to the Ground January 17, 2007
Janette Alford (Albuquerque, NM USA)
As a native of New Mexico I found this book wonderful. I live with a Navajo who was raised very traditionally and he found the book wonderful also. Douglas Preston is the best.
Talking to the Ground February 25, 2009
LDIT (Texas)
In the style of Tony Hillerman without the murder mystery. The 4 Corners area comes alive thru vivid description and pictures and the Navajo story of life is clearly told. The horse trip thru this magical country is one to be wished for by all who love the West.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
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