Tlingit Myths and Texts, Recorded by John R. Swanton Hardcover – October 13, 2018

I loved the story behind the collection of these myths. The grandmother of a personal friend of mine was present at Wrangell when the testimonies were given in 1904.

Swanton finished a Ph.D at Harvard at turn of century where Franz Boas encouraged him to work on the Northwest Coast where he established himself as an able ethnographer and was hired by the Bureau of American Ethnography.At the time it was thought American Indians and their cultures were disappearing so rapid collection of everything about them was encouraged. That belief suggests why Swanton apprently recorded every myth he could in whatever village he could.The result is a treasure for the student of mythology, but is not recommended for the reader who simply enjoys delving into various peoples' mythology.Recommended for the serious student of Northwest Coast Indians. ernestschusky.com