An impressive blend of good anthropology and sound historiographical scholarship . . . What emerges is the clearest, and most thoughtful, view into the cognitive world of New England's native people available to nonspecialists.

A study whose erudite research and balanced presentation make it an immediate classic. It goes well beyond the standard treatments of Indian folklore.

Contains a great deal of information which should prove of interest not only to folklorists, anthropologists, and historians, but to Native Americans and anyone interested in the history of New England . . . The significance of this work is twofold. On the one hand, it is a solid contribution to scholarship. Simmons relates changes in folklore over time to historical events, thereby highlighting the dynamic nature of folklore . . . On another level, this book can be taken as a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. Simmons argues that folklore 'is the primary domain where an Indian spirit still survives,' providing 'the major vehicle for expressing and perpetuating a persistent Indian identity.' This book is a celebration of that spirit.