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Fiction
General Fiction
Children & Teens
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Fiction |
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The Earth's Children series
by Jean M. Auel
A series of 5 books, depicting life in prehistoric times. These
books are a gold-mine of primitive survival tips interwoven
throughout the story.
(For those who are concerned about such matters, these books contain
explicit sexual content.) |
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The Clan of the Cave Bear (#1)
by Jean M. Auel
The story starts with Ayla, the main character of this series,
being found by the people of the "Clan." She grows up among
them. |
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The Valley of Horses (#2)
by Jean M. Auel
This second book is mostly about Ayla's life by herself after
she has been expelled from the "clan", mainly for
simply being different. She befriends horses and
a lion, and saves her to-be boyfriend Jondalar from the lion. |
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The Mammoth Hunters (#3)
by Jean M. Auel
With a plot a little slower than the previous two books, this is
the tale of Ayla's life among her own kind of people, along with
Jondalar. |
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The Plains of Passage (#4)
by Jean M. Auel
Ayla and Jondalar undertake a long journey west to return to his
people. |
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The Shelters of Stone (#5)
by Jean M. Auel
The fifth book takes place entirely in the home region of
Jondalar, Ayla's "mate".
I found this book to move very slowly plot-wise. However, like
the others in the series, it is chock-full of primitive survival
lore. |
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Mutant Message Down
Under
by Marlo Morgan
For more information on this book, please visit the
Mutant Message Down Under section of
the Leatherwood Trail
website. This will
tell you what the Aboriginal people of Australia think about it
(hint: they dislike it intensely).
While some people find this book illuminating, others find it deeply
offensive. Here is a review of the book by one who finds it
so:
"I read this book before being aware of any of the controversy
surrounding it. I found it to be the most offensive book I
have ever read about native people anywhere. The author
portrays the natives of Australia as wonderful, touchy-feely, new-agey
enlightened beings. This book was obviously written to appeal to the
die-hard new-ager crowd. There are a great many aspects to the story
that simply don't jive with common sense or reality. Don't waste
your time. There's plenty of other, much more worthwhile books to
spend your time reading." |
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Ender's Shadow
by Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Shadow is the long awaited companion novel to the
SciFi classic and award winning, "Ender’s Game" by Orson Scott
Card. The setting is a battle school for brilliant children being trained to
defend Earth against an alien invasion. The subject matter, though, is very
down to earth, and very related to Scout mentality and psychological
warfare. The portrayal of the main character is one of great awareness,
cunning and strategy, with a close look at the strategies of survival in a
variety of situations. The early part of the book is particularly
interesting, taking place among street gangs of children on the streets of
Rotterdam. Personally, I think this would be a great novel regardless of
whether SciFi is normally to your liking. The psychology and character
development make it an interesting book about Scout mentality in any
setting.
(review by Peter Wiinholt) |
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Last of the Breed
by
Louis L'Amour
An EXCELLENT story of a part-native navy pilot who is
kidnapped by the Soviets but escapes. This is the story
of his flight across Siberia towards freedom. Many
survival and evasion (scout) skills are described, as he
is quite skilled in these areas. A
fast-moving and well-written story! You won't be
bored. |
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Hanta Yo
Ruth Beebe Hill
This book is the culmination of 25 years of research
assisted by a full-blooded Dakotah Sioux. It is the
story of the Siouan peoples before white influence -
written from the Siouan perspective - following their
daily and seasonal activities. A slow read because it's
so packed full of information. |
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| Children &
Teens |
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Julie of the Wolves
by Jean Craighead George
ISBN 0-06-440058-1
A remarkable story of an Eskimo girl who runs away from home and
survives on her own in the Alaskan Arctic wilderness, with the
assistance and friendship of a pack of wolves.
Highly recommended. |
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Sees Behind Trees
by Michael Dorris
A remarkably spiritual tale of a young native Indian boy who has extremely poor eyesight.
He learns how to "see" with his other senses, including his inner vision
(although it's not called that in the story). An excellent book!
Excerpt from the book: "Your body will remember where it has been if you let it.
It recalls what's familiar - but not as your mind does. With your mind you
stand outside the world and look in. With your body you are inside already." |
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