This superb book had its beginnings in Indiana at the Bloomington campus of Indiana University. An African Folklore Conference was held at the college in 1970. Research papers were presented by folklorists, historians, and colleagues of Richard M. Dorson (1916-1981), IU professor and editor of this book. Professor Dorson led the way for folklore studies to venture from simplistic "wives-tales" to scholarly research, documentation and fieldwork. The first part of this book is an introductory essay written by Professor Dorson. He links folklore, anthropology, literary and oral history concepts to introduce the reader to the second section of the book. Part II is comprised of 16 papers, all presented at the Conference. Part III of the book is actual African folklore. The samples come all areas of Africa. Please note that this book is meant for adult readers, but many excerpts could be shared with children.

By contemporary standards, this book is dated and perhaps a bit politically incorrect and simplistic. But the book is a valuable archive of fascinating folktales, beliefs, and descriptions of regionally-based forms of traditional culture in the United States. Dorson provides a great variety of stories that are well-worth reading, and they could provide the basis for further study. I found it especially interesting how Dorson was showing ways to integrate the study of folklore into the study of history and geography with this collection of materials. I also found this book to be interesting as a resource for gauging how the thinking of social scientists and humanities scholars has changed over the past 30 years. It also provides a great resource for comparing how regional folklore has changed throughout a sort period of time in this nation.

Dorson ranges throughout the globe and passes on stories translated into ordinary spoken English. The stories read the way they'd be told in a family or group of friends. This is an invaluable resource: each selection includes notes about the individual sources and the themes covered in the story. It's also just plain fun to read.

It is so good to see this book back in print! At the time it was published, it received luke-warm reviews. I'm not sure why reviewers did not originally appreciate this very fine study. The topic is fascinating. There are engaging discussions of the method Dorson used in studying the lives of millworkers. But the content of the stories that Dorson documents must be recognized as an incredibly important contribution to the historical record. Every chapter is highly readable, and the stories are fascinating, poignant, and moving. There are rich and vibrant descriptions of the vitality of life within steel mills, and the work is an important contribution to preserving a record of an industry that has undergone rapid change. Although some of the major theoretical issues that Dorson addressed are now dated, a reminder that this book was written almost 20 years ago reveals that the book has grown old gracefully. This book is great reading for anyone interested the occupational culture of steel mills and life in a milltown. It is now essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the region.

SHOW ME HOW TO FIND PAUL BUNYON STORY WHERE HE COME FROM AND WHERE DO HE LIVED

I suppose that most people find their way to this book through the movie,Jeremiah Johnson. It is a great film and one of Redford's best.
The book is a fascinating look at the real life model for Jeremiah Johnson, John Johnston. His story is essentially compiled from the oral tradition of the old west augmented by interviews with people who knew Johnston (or alleged to know him.)
Some of the stories are fantastic and should be taken with a grain of salt but it does suggest that only a very unusual(and dangerous)individual succeeded as a mountain man. The romantic notion of the old west is replaced by an environment that is hostile and unforgiving. The map provided is hand-drawn but gives a sense of what must have been involved for settlers attempting to cross that portion of the country.
I enjoyed this small volume very much and found it ironic that Johnston wound up being buried in a cemetery in Los Angeles (what an insult!)

I was incredibly gripped by the story of this extraordinary man that was so well respected throughout the west. I instantly felt compelled to visit the places described in the book including the final resting place of John Johnson/Johnston... I am also curious to know what became of his signature possesions the "matching rosewood handled Colt and Bowie". I have read the reviews on this book, some disputing the claims made by Raymond W. Thorp. I would like to know "the real story" if there is such and determine for myself from the sources whether I believe it to be true or not. Until such information is published I will believe Raymond W. Thorp's version to be true. Either way, this man is sure to have been quite a figure in the great American frontier of which I so painfully wish to have seen! Happy Reading!

This book is a very good recollaection of Jerimiah Johnsons life. From when he first appeared in the mountains in his early 20's to his death. This book brings Johnson to life in much the same way Robert Redford did in the movie but unlike the movie this book focus's more on the man himself and not those around him. This book is filled with gory accounts of his fights and it also shows how fearless the Mountain Men were. If you are interested at all in the Mountain Men of the late1700's and 1800's then this book is for you.