FIRST HOUSES

Though the title gives little hint of the mythological content, the scholarly information here on Native American buildings in North America—Iroquois longhouse, Navajo hogan, Pueblo kiva, and a variety of California and Northwest coast dwellings, tipis, lodges, and sweathouses—is intertwined with myths and legends concerning their creation. The stories, preceded by illuminating background notes, have a sameness making the book more suitable for reports or dipping into than for straight pleasure reading. The b&w drawings are more decorative than informative; the cover resembles a textbook. Similar in approach to the authors' They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths (1987), but of less general appeal. Extensive pronouncing glossary; suggested further reading; impressive bibliography. Index not seen. (Nonfiction. 10-14)