A Pima Past

"In simple, unaffected prose, Mrs. Shaw constructs a moving saga of Native Americans caught between their tribal past and a Europeanized present. . . . Some of the most interesting passages deal with the wrenching realities of Indian life on the reservation in the years around the turn of the century, when the Indian male as a warrior found himself bereft of his very reason for being and forced to endeavor to become a farmer."—__Journal of Arizona History__"A most interesting book. . . . [Shaw's] account of how the Pima Indians lived, their family structure, how they reared their children, courtship and marriage, how they treated their elders, their religious practices before the coming of a Christian missionary in 1870, and their accommodation with death are related in language that can be easily understood by the layman and, yet, provide information which can be used by the sociologist and anthropologist."—__Journal of the West__"The current trend in...

In simple, unaffected prose, Mrs. Shaw constructs a moving saga of Native Americans caught between their tribal past and a Europeanized present. . . . Some of the most interesting passages deal with the wrenching realities of Indian life on the reservation in the years around the turn of the century, when the Indian male as a warrior found himself bereft of his very reason for being and forced to endeavor to become a farmer. —Journal of Arizona History

A most interesting book. . . . Her account of how the Pima Indians lived, their family structure, how they reared their children, courtship and marriage, how they treated their elders, their religious practices before the coming of a Christian missionary in 1870, and their accommodation with death are related in language that can be easily understood by the layman and, yet, provide information which can be used by the sociologist and anthropologist. —Journal of the West

The current trend in books written by American Indians is to idealize the Indian past while condemning white culture. This volume is a notable exception because its author is old enough to remember the past and because she has been successful in adapting those elements of white culture which she found useful without sacrificing this essential heritage. . . . The style is simple and straightforward, that of a good storyteller which reaches all adult levels. —Choice

Simple and charming reminiscences of the old Pima ways at the turn of the century when they still prevailed and of the changes which recent decades have brought about in the lives of the desert people. —Books of the Southwest

Throughouther account a special kind of humor, sensitivity and pride is revealed when discussing her peoples and her own personal experiences. —The Masterkey

"In simple, unaffected prose, Mrs. Shaw constructs a moving saga of Native Americans caught between their tribal past and a Europeanized present. . . . Some of the most interesting passages deal with the wrenching realities of Indian life on the reservation in the years around the turn of the century, when the Indian male as a warrior found himself bereft of his very reason for being and forced to endeavor to become a farmer."— Journal of Arizona History "A most interesting book. . . . [Shaw's] account of how the Pima Indians lived, their family structure, how they reared their children, courtship and marriage, how they treated their elders, their religious practices before the coming of a Christian missionary in 1870, and their accommodation with death are related in language that can be easily understood by the layman and, yet, provide information which can be used by the sociologist and anthropologist."— Journal of the West "The current trend in books written by American Indians is to idealize the Indian past while condemning white culture. This volume is a notable exception because its author is old enough to remember the past and because she has been successful in adapting those elements of white culture which she found useful without sacrificing this essential heritage. . . . The style is simple and straightforward, that of a good storyteller which reaches all adult levels."— Choice "Simple and charming reminiscences of the old Pima ways at the turn of the century when they still prevailed and of the changes which recent decades have brought about in the lives of the desert people."— Books of the Southwest "Throughout [Shaw's] account a special kind of humor, sensitivity, and pride is revealed when discussing her peoples and her own personal experiences."— The Masterkey Background : a glimpse into the past -- A battle and a birth -- A departure for Morning Land -- Childhood’s happy times -- The making of a warrior -- The threshold of womanhood -- A first and final battle -- Pima love and marriage -- The responsibilities of manhood -- A new way of life -- Education in two worlds -- More twofold learning -- Childhood sweethearts -- A unit in the family of America -- The passing of the old -- The power of music -- A helping hand -- A return to nature -- Pima progress -- Epilogue : my Indian hall of fame. Wasaja : Dr. Carlos Montezuma -- William Thomas Moore -- Russell “Big Chief” Moore -- Dr. Roe Blaine Lewis -- Mae Fern Perkins -- Brigadier General George Stewart Cassady.