Totem Pole

The Northwest Coast totem pole captivates the imagination. From the first descriptions of these tall carved monuments, totem poles have become central icons of the Northwest Coast region and symbols of its Native inhabitants. This title presents the intercultural history of the art form in its myriad manifestations from the 18th century onwards.

Reviews

An essential work, one that will surely serve as a model for other explorations of material culture in contexts of interethnic encounter.
-- Francis Goicovich * Pacific Northwest Quarterly *

Jonaitis and Glass invigorate the history and analysis of Northwest Coast totem poles with a neomodernist discussion of how cultural interaction unfolds as a dialogue between groups.
-- Daniel Monteith * Alaska History *

This richly illustrated, highly accessible, and thoroughly researched volume has made an important contribution to the study of totem poles, Northwest Coast art and culture, museum studies, and the history of anthropology.
* American Anthropologist *

An informative, thought provoking, and beautifully illustrated collection of essays by art historian Aldona Jonaitis and anthropologist Aaron Glass. Not only does the book present solid scholarship, its contents clearly are the result of the authors' genuine affection for their subject matter.
* Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources *

Although there are a number of books on totem poles... this book stands alone in adding the influence of non-Native and non-Northwest Coast individuals to the development and use of totem poles as monuments and as icons. Valuable for an academic audience, the book is readily accessible to general readers, as most theoretical ideas are concisely and clearly discussed in footnotes. The variegated and constantly shifting uses and meanings of the totem pole icon are truly incredible. Highly recommended.
* Choice *

Words like seminal, definitive, and encyclopedic are bound to accrue to The Totem Pole: An Intercultural History.... Widely researched and richly illustrated, this big, beautiful book tells us why we find images of totem poles on everything from fridge magnets and Frisbees to back scratchers and Boy Scout badges.
* Georgia Straight *

The defining take on this fascinating subject.
* Art History Newsletter *

The Totem Pole is a visually rich, gracefully written cultural biography.
* The Book Monger *

Recommendation: For anybody interested in Native American art.
* Birdbooker Report *