BOOK REVIEW: "Ishi In Two Worlds", by Kroeber

[HunterMann]

Thanks for the personable book review. I like your casual approach and agree that the second half of the book must be easier to read. I have Ishi on 16mm film. Your review reminds me that it's an important film for people to see.

[LoveMattersMost]

@HunterMann Thank-you for your comment. Hmmm. Ishi on film sounds like an excellent artifact to donate or give a copy to Museums and Anthropology Departments. Please do consider those options. : ) Brian.

[HunterMann]

@LoveMattersMost Oh, there were a few documentaries made about Ishi. The one I have is an 18-minute educational film that was part of most public & school library systems. Sadly most libraries either sold or dumped(!) their 16mm films when VHS tapes arrived, then the VHS were thrown away when DVDs arrived. What's next?! The real crime is that films like Ishi were not replaced with video versions, they simply threw away this amazing documentation.

[LoveMattersMost]

@HunterMann That is tragic, that such landmark historical records could be discarded simply because the medium is obsolete. I know it must be true! So many old educational film reels that we viewed as kids are now completely obsolete. So much has been lost. I was captivated by the Ishi story because firstly, I live nearby. Secondly, he wast the last man living a Stone Age existence, probably in all of North America! Wow! Like the last Cave Man. Brian.

[XOSunflower]

Great Review! I've never heard of Ishi before, either but his life sounds interesting, although sad. I'll have to add it to my books to read list. I knew you had good taste! :D lol

I've been thinking about doing a couple of book reviews here on YT, there are a lot of lesser known novels and authors that, imo, don't get the recognition they deserve.

[LoveMattersMost]

Hi Sunflower!

Thank-you for saying I have good taste! I found the best policy is just to do what I enjoy, then if I'm lucky, there are other people out there in somewhere that have the same tastes! Oh, I would love to see one of your book reviews! It's a big step though, becuause you have to put yourself out there and deal with Hecklers, Trolls, weirdos, etc. -but I just delete and block them! : P In the long-run, it is satisfying to share of yourself and get kind comments like yours. : )

[XOSunflower]

Yeah, putting myself on the net does worry me. I already have one troll, and I haven't even made any videos! The net can be a scary place but then, so can the real world. lol

[LoveMattersMost]

It sounds like you are aware of the tradeoffs with being a YouTube personality. It's a tough choice. Personally, I watched YT for a full year before I began making my own videos. Another big factor is that it starts to be time-consuming. I proably get about five emails a day from strangers that I like to "check out" before responding to. It takes time. But it's also very rewarding. I hope you do it, but I don't want to push you into it. As for Trolls...It's so sad, but everyone gets them.

[LoveMattersMost]

Oh, as for safety..don't let the On-line community know anything personal about you that they can trace or look up. For example, never give out your last name, where you go to school, what city you live in, etc. I know a couple YT friends that had to cancel their accts because of a stalker type of personality that kept obsessing about them. Very tragic. But as you said, it's a part of the "real world." : P Bri.

[flan984]

That was a fascinating book review Brian, with a very nice choice of a subject matter. I'd never heard of Ishi before, but now I'd rather like to know more about his story. I particularly found the little "oddities" you pointed out fascinating, and nice food for though. We seldom think about how wonderful little things we take for granted are, like pockets (that was my favourite bit), and it takes a very alien point of view to make (...)

[flan984]

(...) us realize how amazing the world we live in can be.

I'll keep my eye out for that book now, I'm curious.

I just knew I was going to enjoy your videos, this was a great start!

[LoveMattersMost]

Nice point, Rui -we take things like pockets matter-of-factly and give it no thought. But then a primitive or odd man comes along and reminds us, that there is magic in even these simple everyday things! Thank-you for saying you enjoyed my first book review! That makes me happy. : ) Brian.

[TheRavenOfPoe]

Fantastic book review, Brian! I have a particular interest in the moments of first contact between two civilisations and cultures - the experiences of those involved are at times heartening and at times devastating, but important lessons are to be learned from both. (Sadly history seems to show many repeated mistakes in such instances).

I will most definitely add this to my reading list!

[TheRavenOfPoe]

Was the book written by the anthropologist who met Ishi? If so, I think it would be an interesting insight into early anthropology (particularly its unique opportunities, but also its failings).

[LoveMattersMost]

These events occurred from 1913-1916, when sadly, Ishi died of Tuberculosis. Dr Kroeber the researcher pictured in the Video did not write any book. But his wife, who knew the accounts well, wrote up the story in 1960, and luckily, Dr Kroeber was able to read and approve the manuscript before he died. His wife said she felt it was a moral duty of hers to tell the story, since her husband didn't do it himself. -What a noble gesture! : ) Brian.

[LoveMattersMost]

It really tickles me when people like yourself and Rui above, say they liked my video. I guess I respect certain people, and their opinions, and when it passes their reviews with a thumbs up, it makes me feel really good inside! Thank-you! I hope my next ones are noticeably more polished and easier to watch and listen too! Brian.