Customer Reviews
A dead "classic" 
2007-11-15
My son was given this book as a middle school assignment. My son is an avid reader and yet he fell asleep trying to read this. I tried to read Ishi in an attempt to help him through it and discovered that I (also an avid reader) couldn't slog through it either. The language is entirely too formal and (dare I say it?) stereotypical. In some ways, I felt as if I were watching a 1960's western.
The subject matter is excellent, but this fictional treatment is dated and stale. It's time for a new one.
Children's book, Children's book, Novel, Fiction, tripe 2007-08-23
This is NOT historically correct, not a report of facts, it is in fact a novel, and not a historically correct novel, and it is aimed at children, not adults. If you are adult and think this is some kind of additional information on Ishi...take your money that you would spend on this and throw it out the window, you will be much happier. Not even close to reality.
It's a historical novel 
2007-02-03
I was disappointed to find that I had bought the wrong book. "Ishi: Last of His Tribe" is not a variant title for "Ishi: Between Two Worlds". This is a novelisation of Ishi's story aimed at younger readers, and one where Yahi culture is rather heavily idealised. I was looking for some solid anthropology, which, I suppose, is to be found in the other book.
Very good action 
2006-11-30
I liked this book, because firstly this book is a true story, and I was very suprised that a true story would be so good. This book has a lot of details, and the author tries to tell you the sounds that animals and nature makes. He also uses the Yahi tribe words telling you the names of things. The author also drew some pictures when the part of the book was very complicated. The author also uses a lot of words describing the environment so clearly that it seems as if you were there yourself walking beside Ishi and his tribe.
Great story but really sad 
2006-10-06
I read this book in school and I enjoyed it. It had a lot of good history in it and I think it's important that people know the horrible things which were done to Native Americans. This story is beautiful and touching but if you are a sensitive reader I suggest keeping a box of tissues nearby because parts of it are really sad. The writer creates a strong bond between Ishi and the reader and at times it was as if I was feeling his pain. Though it's an emotional story, I really think it's powerful and worth a read.
College Bound required reading 2006-06-26
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Wonderfully Moving! 2006-03-16
This historical and soulful account of America's last "Wild Indian" is a great adventure, filled with insights and lessons about compassion. It reminds me of my favorite Native American book, Walking the Trail, One Man's Journey Along the Cherokee Trail of Tears.
Ishi 2005-12-21
The book is probably better suited for a younger reader but I think I appreciated it a little more now that I've been to the places described in the book. As with many books that try to write from the perspective outside the culture of the person who is writing the book I think the author tried too hard to avoid using any words or concepts outside of the Yuni language. There are times when it would have been better to let the narrator step in and fill the blanks.
ISHI, Last of His Tribe 2003-12-07
Over the years, I have developed a fascination for history, and Author Theodora Kroeber's story of ISHI, LAST OF HIS TRIBE certainly did not disappointment me.
Although this story may be subject to a certain amount of romanticism on the part of the Author, I found this version of Ishi's life easy to read and very enlightening. Kroeber's story of Ishi is written with warmth and sympathy, which gives us a
deeper understanding of the harsh treatment of the peaceful Yahi Indians. It provides a glimpse of how Ishi must have thought and felt; about himself, about others, and about the world around him. The Author weaves Ishi's story in a way that makes you feel as though you are there; experiencing what he experienced, struggling as he struggled. Ishi's highly peaceful nature is apparent in his extraordinary capacity towards forgiveness, despite their harsh treatment by the Saldu (white man).
I have often wondered how the Indians, especially Indians in the Northern regions, managed to survive the winter. This story provides a great deal of information about their daily life, giving us insight into their extensive knowledge for survival.
Smoking and drying of fish and meat, and storing of the y'una (acorn) barely provided them with the sustenance they needed for the winter, yet they managed to survive.
The myth that California Indians were a simple and childlike race, living only on what they could dig up from the ground, was certainly discounted with this book. Conversely, the Indians showed great wisdom and deep respect for the land, as well as
the creatures who inhabited it, being careful to preserve the land while effectively living off it. Their knowledge was then handed down from generation to generation, ensuring their success for the future - at least, until the Saldu arrived.
In truth, the treatment of the Indians by the Saldu was appalling. Early settlers had little respect for the Indians, forcing them to change their way of life, otherwise die. Sadly, Ishi spent most of his life hiding from the white man - staying downwind, living discreetly and quietly, staying off main trails and covering his tracks - living in fear of discovery. When the rest of his tribe was gone, Ishi's loneliness must have been unbearable. But Ishi was a wise man and a survivor, and he had learned that not all men were evil. His time at the Museum became acceptable - a time of plentiful food, of making friends - but more importantly a time to ensure that the history of his people would not die with him.
After reading this book, it was disturbing to discover that Ishi's brain was retained by Berkeley and the Smithsonian Institute for study after his death. Although one might understand the scientific fascination with this last member of the Yahi, this action clearly violated Ishi's own cultural belief about keeping the body whole for cremation, and his personal beliefs should have been respected. It is not surprising that a debate over scientific rights and human rights resulted, and it was nearly 100 years before Ishi's brain was returned to the Indian people, affording him the final peace and dignity that he rightfully deserved.
I have been enriched by the story of Ishi. It is a story I hope
future generations will utilize for studying the life of the California Indian. Ishi's story provides not only his language and culture, but his insight, feelings and experiences. This unique chance to share such a special part of California's past might otherwise have been lost, and I am grateful to those who had the insight to preserve this important piece of history.
`aiku tsub - " it is good "
A real eye-opener 2003-10-08
Ishi came out of the foothills out of loneliness and desperation. He expected certain death, but to his surprise, was embraced by those who knew him. He worked at a meager janitorial job at the University of Berkeley, but he didn't mind. He liked his friends, and enjoyed their company. In exchange of finding him a new 'home', Ishi shared with the museum staff and professors the secrets of his people - he showed them how to knap projectile points, and how his people survived - and best of all, a tantalizing glimpse into his language. He only lived for 5 years after coming out of the wilderness, but we can be thankful he did. He is a lasting symbol of how non-native humans changed the landscape, and drove others to extinction. It's a sad story, but one that needs to be read and cherished.
