THE FIFTH WORLD OF ENOCH MALONEY

According to legend the Navahos have passed through four worlds driven by sorcery and witchcraft to reach the fifth world of sun, moon and light. This is a disturbing, both personal and anthropological, look at this contemporary world, through the journal of Mr. Crapanzano who spent one summer observing Enoch Maloney, a fifty-year-old Navaho. Enoch was chosen because he is fairly representative of the middle-class Indian, mod acculturated yet subscribing to parts of the traditional if moribund Navaho society. The book is almost surreal in effect--there is such an immense dichotomy between American and Navaho tradition and standards. The author makes acute observations as he listens to Enoch's fantasies. . . about Sally, a possible fourth wife. . . about his experiences in the military (which seem to have had the most profound effect), his family and children (extremely complicated relationships), etc. Together they attend ceremonies and pow-wows and even court proceedings as the author manages to penetrate each aspect in what he calls the ""theatre of social change."" The book gives necessary insight into a problem that is expanding with each generation (the Navahos are one of the fastest growing populations in the world). It should be studied to help them from a fifth world of apathy and poverty into a sixth world of hope.