Malki-Ballena Press Books

This well-written classic gives a thorough introduction to the Cahuilla people of the mountains and desert landscapes of Inland Southern California.

Cahuilla Indians by Harry C. James Paperback: $18

Product Details Publisher: Malki Museum Press (1960) Language: English Paperback ISBN-10: 0939046067 ISBN-13: 978-0939046065 Hardcover, out of print ISBN-10: 0939046075 ISBN-13: 978-0939046072 Description Readers journey through a history that stretches from ancient to modern times. Lowell John Bean writes: “Only occasionally does a book join the literature of the American Indian which combines the scholarly concern and the personal affection and warmth towards a people. Not only does James present Cahuilla culture in clearer focus than many earlier works, writing in a style intelligible to the layman, but he also destroys many of the myths that have accumulated around such prominent Cahuilla leaders in California history as Juan Antonio, Ramona, and Fig Tree John.” Illustrations are by Don Louis Perceval, and the book includes 24 pages of historic photos. "James sympathetically portrays a much maligned people…. His dramatic description of their history and culture, their ceremonial life, and their highly poetic and broadly cosmic folklore ably supports his thesis that they are a proud, intelligent people” (Montana Magazine).