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Two Winters in a Tipi: My Search For The Soul Of The Forest
The inspirational adventure of a man who went back to the land to show us how we can rediscover and reconnect with the wilderness around us.
One stormy August night, a lightning bolt struck Mark Warren’s tin-roofed farmhouse and burned everything to the ground. Even his metal tools melted. Friends loaned him a tent, but after just a month it began to break down—which Warren vowed not to do. Instead, he decided to follow a childhood dream and live in a tipi. Excitement stirred in his chest, and so began a two-year adventure of struggle, contemplation, and achievement that brought him even closer to the land that he called home.
More than just the story of one man, Two Winters in a Tipi gives the history and use of the native structure, providing valuable advice, through Warren’s trial and error, about the confrontations that march toward a tipi dweller. It shows, without thumping the drum of environmental doom, how you can go back to the land for two days or two years. The wild plants that Natives harvested for food and medicine still grow nearby. The foods still nourish; the medicines still heal. As Warren beautifully reveals, the wild places of the past still exist in our everyday lives, and living that wilderness is still a possibility. It’s as close as the river running through your city, the woods in your neighborhood, or even the edges of your own backyard.
One stormy August night, a lightning bolt struck Mark Warren’s tin-roofed farmhouse and burned everything to the ground. Even his metal tools melted. Friends loaned him a tent, but after just a month it began to break down—which Warren vowed not to do. Instead, he decided to follow a childhood dream and live in a tipi. Excitement stirred in his chest, and so began a two-year adventure of struggle, contemplation, and achievement that brought him even closer to the land that he called home.
More than just the story of one man, Two Winters in a Tipi gives the history and use of the native structure, providing valuable advice, through Warren’s trial and error, about the confrontations that march toward a tipi dweller. It shows, without thumping the drum of environmental doom, how you can go back to the land for two days or two years. The wild plants that Natives harvested for food and medicine still grow nearby. The foods still nourish; the medicines still heal. As Warren beautifully reveals, the wild places of the past still exist in our everyday lives, and living that wilderness is still a possibility. It’s as close as the river running through your city, the woods in your neighborhood, or even the edges of your own backyard.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
19 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Mark Warren
20 books172 followersWarren lectures on Native American history and survival skills, and Western American history presenting at museums and cultural centers around the country. He is a member of the Wild West History Association, The Historical Novel Society, and Western Writers of America. His Wyatt Earp, An American Odyssey trilogy was honored by WWA’s Spur Awards, The Historical Novel Society, and the 2020 Will Rogers Medallion Awards. Warren is a 2022 Georgia Author of the Year recipient for his book Song of the Horseman (Finalist, Literary Fiction). Indigo Heaven, The Westering Trail Travesties, and his short story, The Cowboy, The Librarian and The Broomsman, are Will Rogers Medallion Awards winners.
Mr. Warren has fifteen traditionally published books: from Lyons Press, Two Winters in a Tipi and Secrets of the Forest (a four volume series on nature and primitive skills), from Five Star – Gale Cengage and Two Dot, Wyatt Earp, An American Odyssey (a historical fiction trilogy on the life of Wyatt Earp,) from Five Star – Gale Cengage Indigo Heaven, The Cowboy, The Librarian and the Broomsman from the anthology Librarians of the West: A Quartet, The Westering Trail Travesties, and A Last Serenade for Billy Bonney, and from Speaking Volumes, Song of the Horseman, Last of the Pistoleers, and A Tale Twice Told.
You can find out more about Mark Warren by visiting his website at www.markwarrenbooks.com.
Mr. Warren has fifteen traditionally published books: from Lyons Press, Two Winters in a Tipi and Secrets of the Forest (a four volume series on nature and primitive skills), from Five Star – Gale Cengage and Two Dot, Wyatt Earp, An American Odyssey (a historical fiction trilogy on the life of Wyatt Earp,) from Five Star – Gale Cengage Indigo Heaven, The Cowboy, The Librarian and the Broomsman from the anthology Librarians of the West: A Quartet, The Westering Trail Travesties, and A Last Serenade for Billy Bonney, and from Speaking Volumes, Song of the Horseman, Last of the Pistoleers, and A Tale Twice Told.
You can find out more about Mark Warren by visiting his website at www.markwarrenbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 29, 2024
This is the first book I read by Mark Warren. I had taken classes at his Wilderness school, and it literally changed my life. I have read this book three times. I enjoyed learning more about the incredible person who is Mark Warren. A man of many gifts and talents, a man of honesty and purpose who loves and respects nature and shares this love with others.
September 28, 2015
Two Winters in a Tipi is a true story about Mark Warren and his search for meaning in his surroundings. In 1989, Mark and his dog, Elly, are away from their home in North Georgia for a few days, teaching students about survival skills of the Cherokee at his wilderness school, Medicine Bow. While they are gone a violent lightning storm burns his farm house down. Mark’s life was decimated. The storm destroyed all of his belongings, and he did not have insurance. He decided to borrow a tent from a friend for a while, and live on the land where his house used to be. Eventually, the tent becomes haggard, so Mark and Elly purchase a tipi to live in. Over the course of two winters, Mark learns an immense amount about himself, life, and his environment. Mark becomes more in touch with his surroundings and his inner life.
This book describes many examples of tipi life I had not thought about. Mark tells a story in his book about being in his tipi on a blustery winter night. He woke up gasping for air because his fire had become smoky. Then, he stuck his head out under the tipi wall and found himself beneath two foot of snow. Finally, he had to crawl out of the tipi, before he lost consciousness, to gain some air. The next day, he reflected on what would have happened if he had not woken up. He could have died.
In this book we learn that sometimes in life we need a change to awake our sense of self and appreciation of our surroundings. I chose to read this book because I enjoy camping, and I often wonder about tipi life. My recommendation for this book is to read it if you want a thought provoking book about a different way of life. The publisher promised this book would be inspirational and it certainly was.
This book describes many examples of tipi life I had not thought about. Mark tells a story in his book about being in his tipi on a blustery winter night. He woke up gasping for air because his fire had become smoky. Then, he stuck his head out under the tipi wall and found himself beneath two foot of snow. Finally, he had to crawl out of the tipi, before he lost consciousness, to gain some air. The next day, he reflected on what would have happened if he had not woken up. He could have died.
In this book we learn that sometimes in life we need a change to awake our sense of self and appreciation of our surroundings. I chose to read this book because I enjoy camping, and I often wonder about tipi life. My recommendation for this book is to read it if you want a thought provoking book about a different way of life. The publisher promised this book would be inspirational and it certainly was.
November 21, 2020
Great book. Reminiscent of Henry David Thoreau except Mark Warren comes across as more likeable. The author relates his personal saga of living 2 years in a tipi in the mountains of Northern Georgia. The encounters with wild life and the details of daily living were very interesting to me. I recommend this book.
November 22, 2016
More than chronicling and documenting the practicalities of tipi life -- Warren uses the tipi as the center for his spiritual journey. Tipi life lends itself to becoming tuned in with one's natural surroundings. "The tipi -- unlike angular homes -- is less about separation than integration." Unlike a house, you don't have to wonder what it's like outside. You step outside, and you hear the same sounds as you did inside. Rain pounds just a few inches from your head as you sleep. The cover is intentionally raised a few inches off the ground letting in the fresh air. "Scents and sounds and silences wafted through the cover as easily as smoke rose from the tipi's smoke hole. The stars watch through that same opening."
Warren, a Naturalist and teacher of outdoor skills, studied the survival skills of the Cherokees. He especially loves to teach children, but he emphasizes his enlightening encounters with critters -- usually while hiking but sometimes in the tipi. His tipi put such joy in his life he couldn't help but smile whenever he returned from a hike.
A wonderfully refreshing and an insightful book on letting nature be your teacher. Can't wait to go camping in my 16 footer!
Warren, a Naturalist and teacher of outdoor skills, studied the survival skills of the Cherokees. He especially loves to teach children, but he emphasizes his enlightening encounters with critters -- usually while hiking but sometimes in the tipi. His tipi put such joy in his life he couldn't help but smile whenever he returned from a hike.
A wonderfully refreshing and an insightful book on letting nature be your teacher. Can't wait to go camping in my 16 footer!
March 28, 2017
Mark Warren is a friend of ours who has taught us much about plant id, archery, and just living off the land. This book is a compilation of his stories.
December 28, 2020
Nice memoir of a naturalist. Interesting account of tipi construction and life therein.
March 11, 2023
Reading this book was like meeting an old friend after years of separation. I was fortunate enough to be an early student of Medicine Bow in the 1980's, at the first property he caretook. Each story brought me vividly back to stalking animals in the moonlit meadow, making fire and gathering rocks for a sweat lodge by the river, gathering acorns and persimmons to make a snack from.
I am now in my mid 40s and see so much of what has molded my life and who I am, as a thru hiker of the AT, lover of the flora and fauna of mountains, valleys, rivers, and oceans, and feeling at home in the wild in his words and interactions with nature.
Thank you Mark for providing an introduction to the Soul of the Forest many decades ago, whom has become my lifelong friend, confidant, and home.
I am now in my mid 40s and see so much of what has molded my life and who I am, as a thru hiker of the AT, lover of the flora and fauna of mountains, valleys, rivers, and oceans, and feeling at home in the wild in his words and interactions with nature.
Thank you Mark for providing an introduction to the Soul of the Forest many decades ago, whom has become my lifelong friend, confidant, and home.
July 8, 2013
Mark Warren is a naturalist who taught outdoor skills, and so much more, to all ages. He wanted to teach respect, appreciation and love for the outdoor world, animals and plants. His work included elementary school programs as well as senior citizens and all ages in between. Most of the book takes place in the forests of north Georgia in the U.S.
After completing his undergraduate work, Warren was accepted into medical school. He called the school and said he wouldn't be showing up because he had changed his mind. However he still had some scientific training which he took to the woods with him and that is one of the things that made the story fun for me. Warren told the usual tale of becoming one with the world and running with the deer, but then gave some of scientific explanation for it, which I always think is fun. For example when he talked about trees communicating with each other he talked about some research in that area. He said that it had been found that when a tree was ill or was experiencing an infestation of insects for examples, the trees surrounding it responded by going into a self-defense mode. Can't remember the details and have NO biology knowledge, but the trees pulled something in their leaves back into itself, the harder part of itself, making the tree less vulnerable. So Warren gives some explanation for what used to be considered old wives tales or new age gobbledygook and I always love it when I come across that kind of info.
When Warren's rental home in the woods burnt down, he decided to try living in a tipi and did so for two years. There is a lot of detail about building tipis and how they function that I found a little tiresome, and yet I had wondered about some of those things. Smoke, for example, problems with rain and other things were explained and was interesting.
There is also information about the Cherokee and their relationship with the world and with the government. I spent yesterday afternoon in the Anasazi Center in Cortez, CO and just left feeling so sad. It is a wonderful BLM museum, but I was just so struck by one particular photo that was described as being taken during the American Occupation. Something about that terminology and the reality of it struck deeper. The only place that made me more sad than that was Little Big Horn.
You can see there is a lot of variety in this book and it is a quick and interesting read.
After completing his undergraduate work, Warren was accepted into medical school. He called the school and said he wouldn't be showing up because he had changed his mind. However he still had some scientific training which he took to the woods with him and that is one of the things that made the story fun for me. Warren told the usual tale of becoming one with the world and running with the deer, but then gave some of scientific explanation for it, which I always think is fun. For example when he talked about trees communicating with each other he talked about some research in that area. He said that it had been found that when a tree was ill or was experiencing an infestation of insects for examples, the trees surrounding it responded by going into a self-defense mode. Can't remember the details and have NO biology knowledge, but the trees pulled something in their leaves back into itself, the harder part of itself, making the tree less vulnerable. So Warren gives some explanation for what used to be considered old wives tales or new age gobbledygook and I always love it when I come across that kind of info.
When Warren's rental home in the woods burnt down, he decided to try living in a tipi and did so for two years. There is a lot of detail about building tipis and how they function that I found a little tiresome, and yet I had wondered about some of those things. Smoke, for example, problems with rain and other things were explained and was interesting.
There is also information about the Cherokee and their relationship with the world and with the government. I spent yesterday afternoon in the Anasazi Center in Cortez, CO and just left feeling so sad. It is a wonderful BLM museum, but I was just so struck by one particular photo that was described as being taken during the American Occupation. Something about that terminology and the reality of it struck deeper. The only place that made me more sad than that was Little Big Horn.
You can see there is a lot of variety in this book and it is a quick and interesting read.
August 21, 2016
What makes this book special is the humility of the author. This is not a story about a man who sets out aggressively to test himself against the wilderness or to wrest secrets from nature. This is a man who has always felt a deep reverence for nature and who, from a very young age, taught himself to literally walk softly in the wilderness, to be one with it rather than see it as "other." His time in a tipi isn't a personal test, it's the natural evolution of his lifestyle after a bolt of lightning hits the very old, tin-roofed cabin he'd been living in and incinerates it, depriving him of everything his owned except his truck, a knife, the clothes on his back, and his dog.
He orders the tipi cover from a merchant, but fells trees, strips, and conditions the poles himself, reflecting all the time on the skill of the Cherokee -- particularly the women -- who had perfected the art long before he tried it, and giving thanks to the trees whose wood he takes.
As he tells his story, it's not about "How cool am I?" but "Let me show you how amazing and beautiful the natural world is." He writes of beautiful, profound, and amusing encounters with fox, raccoon, deer, snakes, bear, and his beloved dog Elly; of how rain enters a tipi and how -- if you've done your work right -- it slides down the poles to the edge of the space instead of pouring down in the center; how the moon becomes part of planning travel; how to bathe in a winter river respecting the need to keep soap out of it; and how scared schoolkids, intimidated by being in the forest at night, learn courage and reverence not because of what he tells them as much as by their own willingness to engage with nature.
He writes like a poet and a lover, and this book is and profound without being preachy. I think that anyone with a soul would find value here. Those who are already close to nature would appreciate Warren's talent in communicating the experience, and those of us who are distant from it can be awakened to what we miss -- and what we need to cherish and preserve, even if we never visit in the way that he does.
He orders the tipi cover from a merchant, but fells trees, strips, and conditions the poles himself, reflecting all the time on the skill of the Cherokee -- particularly the women -- who had perfected the art long before he tried it, and giving thanks to the trees whose wood he takes.
As he tells his story, it's not about "How cool am I?" but "Let me show you how amazing and beautiful the natural world is." He writes of beautiful, profound, and amusing encounters with fox, raccoon, deer, snakes, bear, and his beloved dog Elly; of how rain enters a tipi and how -- if you've done your work right -- it slides down the poles to the edge of the space instead of pouring down in the center; how the moon becomes part of planning travel; how to bathe in a winter river respecting the need to keep soap out of it; and how scared schoolkids, intimidated by being in the forest at night, learn courage and reverence not because of what he tells them as much as by their own willingness to engage with nature.
He writes like a poet and a lover, and this book is and profound without being preachy. I think that anyone with a soul would find value here. Those who are already close to nature would appreciate Warren's talent in communicating the experience, and those of us who are distant from it can be awakened to what we miss -- and what we need to cherish and preserve, even if we never visit in the way that he does.
August 28, 2014
This is a story about a naturalist, that makes his living in teaching young and old about nature, survival skills, native American Indian crafts, etc. While finishing a class, and away from home lighting struck his house, a hundred year old and something cabin located in a wilderness area I think in Georgia. The fire completely destroyed every thing he owned, and neither he nor the owner had any insurance. He had taken all his camping gear to his house, so the only thing he had left was the clothes he was wearing, and his dog. So he lived for a short time in a camping tent. That became increasing difficult, so he ordered a Tipi cover, and cut and dressed the 20 poles he would need to erect the tipi when he was ready. He then spent the next two years living in this tipi, and this is a story about the trials, and learning experience from such a life style. I learned a lot about nature, and overall enjoyed the book much more than I expected to.
February 28, 2019
I learned about this book when I listened to the author speak at "A Novel Idea" ("literary dinner theater in Atlanta"). His lifelong love and knowledge of all things "nature" light up this accounting of his experience living in a tipi in my beautiful North Georgia. My favorite parts of the book were those recounting up-close-and-personal (though NOT intrusive on the part of the author) encounters with animals; the excitement and joy the author felt about these encounters were palpable through his words. It admire and respect the author for having found his place in the world early on and having the courage and fortitude to stay on that path.
September 28, 2014
Beautifully done, Mr Warren!
One wouldn't think that a book without a regular "story line" could be hard to put down. But this was. And I will remember Elly forever.
One wouldn't think that a book without a regular "story line" could be hard to put down. But this was. And I will remember Elly forever.
August 9, 2020
Such a cool, insightful book about a great author and a small sliver of his life.
January 16, 2023
Having heard Mark Warren speak on two occasions, it was no surprise to find his story about his two winters profoundly calming. Reading and understanding, to the degree that someone without first-hand experience can, about his reverence for, immersion into, and understanding of the natural world was a straightforward and logical fascination. The preparation for building his tipi, where he made nearly every piece of it himself, even including various pegs from different types of wood, was as good as reading one of the Foxfire books. However, once he started to insert the poles and erect it, I got the gist of the construction and the purposes of the various parts and shaping but would have benefitted from some diagramming. It was a great pleasure to read about his encounters with friends, students, animals and life of every stripe, weather, forest, river, sky, time, as the two winters spent in the tipi he constructed after a devastating loss turned to be a long and calming meditation on life.
July 1, 2023
Fantastic book, really enjoyed and felt I was part of the experience. Well worth a read
June 12, 2023
Just before "Two Winters in a Tipi" was published, I was lucky enough to get an interview with someone from the Sierra Club. The interview is still on their website, and you can read it here: https://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenl...
In the interview I answer questions about the book, about myself and the work I do.
Mother Earth News actually has chapter one of "Two Winters in a Tipi" on their website if you would like to check it out before purchasing the book. https://www.motherearthnews.com/susta...
I was also fortunate enough to get a review on HistoryNet, and you can check that out here https://www.historynet.com/book-revie...
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to send me a message here on Goodreads. Thanks!
In the interview I answer questions about the book, about myself and the work I do.
Mother Earth News actually has chapter one of "Two Winters in a Tipi" on their website if you would like to check it out before purchasing the book. https://www.motherearthnews.com/susta...
I was also fortunate enough to get a review on HistoryNet, and you can check that out here https://www.historynet.com/book-revie...
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to send me a message here on Goodreads. Thanks!
March 31, 2016
I love soul-searching, back to nature stories. While this didn't necessarily scratch that itch for me, it was a decent read.
Imagine losing everything, and I mean nearly everything, in a house fire. That novel you were working on? Gone. Your clothes? Gone. Your beloved books, trinkets, and keepsakes? Gone. Mark Warren lost everything, and rather than go into debt trying to replicate his old life, he rebuilt it from the ground up. An outdoorsman and educator by trade, he built a tipi and lived in it while he connected with the land and reconnected with himself and what was most important.
A bit preachy and new-agey in places, it was still a satisfying read. 3 stars.
Imagine losing everything, and I mean nearly everything, in a house fire. That novel you were working on? Gone. Your clothes? Gone. Your beloved books, trinkets, and keepsakes? Gone. Mark Warren lost everything, and rather than go into debt trying to replicate his old life, he rebuilt it from the ground up. An outdoorsman and educator by trade, he built a tipi and lived in it while he connected with the land and reconnected with himself and what was most important.
A bit preachy and new-agey in places, it was still a satisfying read. 3 stars.
February 4, 2013
To anyone interested in maintaining or establishing contacts with the natural world, this book is wonderful. Told in a gentle and interesting voice, Mark Warren relates how he choose the placement of his tipi, how he selected the poles and how important the tipi became for him. Why the tipi? The house he rented, and all of his possessions, burned in a horrific fire. A long-held dream came true
when he decided to move into a tipi, until the next step in his life became clear.
Mr. Warren is the directer of Medicine Bow Wilderness School in north Georgia.
when he decided to move into a tipi, until the next step in his life became clear.
Mr. Warren is the directer of Medicine Bow Wilderness School in north Georgia.
August 19, 2013
An excellent excellent thought provoking book. Mr Warren has connected with nature in ways that I, and so many others, have always dreamed of.
His message is quite simple. If we can reconnect with nature in the ways we were intended to, we can rediscover our true selves. We have become so lost in the modern world with things that we perceive as important, that we've lost sight of what living is supposed to really be.
Mr Warren gives a wonderful glimpse into the world we were given...a truly beautiful place.
His message is quite simple. If we can reconnect with nature in the ways we were intended to, we can rediscover our true selves. We have become so lost in the modern world with things that we perceive as important, that we've lost sight of what living is supposed to really be.
Mr Warren gives a wonderful glimpse into the world we were given...a truly beautiful place.
August 5, 2014
From the title, I was expecting a spiritual journey. However, it is really more of a nature log. I really felt the author's passion for, and connection with, nature, but there was a certain depth lacking. I saw his wonderful vision of nature, but I didn't get to know him, feel who he was.
This would make a wonderful gift for someone who loves nature and is interested in education. However, for the general public I would say it is a 50/50.
This would make a wonderful gift for someone who loves nature and is interested in education. However, for the general public I would say it is a 50/50.
August 17, 2014
Heart and mind
Heart and mind
This author so beautifully reveals not just a great story, but of the lessons of honesty and truth learned in his special world. I felt his adventures and his excellent writing made me feel I had experienced them myself. A very special book.
Heart and mind
This author so beautifully reveals not just a great story, but of the lessons of honesty and truth learned in his special world. I felt his adventures and his excellent writing made me feel I had experienced them myself. A very special book.
September 21, 2012
Love this book. Anyone would love this book.
March 15, 2015
my husband's read
July 12, 2013
A very entertaining book about a man and his dog who spend two years living in a tipi.
August 22, 2014
Loved this book! Thoroughly enjoyed the author's prose, descriptions of nature, and his interactions with both wildlife and children.
August 24, 2014
Good read!
September 7, 2014
Great book about living in a tip.
Good book for anyone who dreamed on living in a tipi long term, and has a background in Native American theme.
Good book for anyone who dreamed on living in a tipi long term, and has a background in Native American theme.
July 28, 2024
This book drew me in and spoke to my ongoing lust for adventure. It was a truly inspiring read.
December 20, 2023
Fantasy and tall tales
I was recommended this book by a tipi dwelling elder because I took am a tipi dweller (with kiddos).
I'm not sure why though, other than the elder really liked to discuss all aspects of tipi life, especially the hardships like what causes fires or a tipi to collapse. Also, very much the historical tipi we have evidence to discuss. I feel like this elder must have been testing my knowledge recommending this book.
First red flag? The cover of the book. One would think two winters in a tipi is set in a place with true winter, considering the snow on the cover. The author lived in Georgia! Nothing compared to winters the Plains Indians experienced, and a visual of his fantasy being tall tell compared to the reality.
Because most of it is tall tales. The information about Native Americans uses derogatory names, a first red flag on his actual reverence for Native Americans. Much of the native American information was wholly inaccurate. Believing women chewed the hardest parts of buffalo hides knocks their own knowledge and technology advancements down multiple pegs just because white man doesn't understand how they did it, and it's just lidricus people believe this. Thinking liners were always apart of tipi life ignores all the evidence we have that says otherwise, and ignores the facts we do know about how they created liners. And anyone truly experienced with tipi's knows it's the door that makes the smoke rise, in those coldest months, we set the cover all the way to the ground.
Let's not forget he claims he witnessed a tipi take off like Dorothy in Oz. 17 poles that are practically trees? Come on! This again glosses over the fact that tipi's were used in tornado Alley. That people have rode out serious hurricanes in Florida with them. We rode out a winter hurricane with no interior anchor just here this past week. Anyone with experience and friends who live the lifestyle know, a toppled tipi from wind was incorrectly set, and barely leaves its footprint. But, 30 feet into the air like a flimsy tent sure is a fun image to proclaim!
This is a good book...IF you understand he is certainly incorrect on much of his tales, or simply telling tall tells. Taking it for gospel of tipi life isn't a good idea. Even his claims as an outdoor instructor are a bit scared, since he doesn't know that cicada killers nest in the ground and are docile, or that removing copperheads to a different spot away from their den doesn't save them, they don't survive the move.
Some of his animal stories are fun, and indeed do reflect tipi life. Lots of animals come in and visit. I've certainly woken up with a copperhead next to me, I've had a toad jump on my sleeping kiddos head. We have a wren that comes and snacks on stink bugs daily...and stink bugs, some seasons I've had to take a broom and sweep them off the interior walls! The deer sleep next to us, sometimes right behind our bed with just the two layers of canvas between us.
The thing that gets me is, reading through these reviews, most everyone believes him. That does a deservice to the culture which brought us these domiciles, and perpetuated the fantasy so many wish to live and not recognize the hard and at times dangerous lifestyle this truly is.
I was recommended this book by a tipi dwelling elder because I took am a tipi dweller (with kiddos).
I'm not sure why though, other than the elder really liked to discuss all aspects of tipi life, especially the hardships like what causes fires or a tipi to collapse. Also, very much the historical tipi we have evidence to discuss. I feel like this elder must have been testing my knowledge recommending this book.
First red flag? The cover of the book. One would think two winters in a tipi is set in a place with true winter, considering the snow on the cover. The author lived in Georgia! Nothing compared to winters the Plains Indians experienced, and a visual of his fantasy being tall tell compared to the reality.
Because most of it is tall tales. The information about Native Americans uses derogatory names, a first red flag on his actual reverence for Native Americans. Much of the native American information was wholly inaccurate. Believing women chewed the hardest parts of buffalo hides knocks their own knowledge and technology advancements down multiple pegs just because white man doesn't understand how they did it, and it's just lidricus people believe this. Thinking liners were always apart of tipi life ignores all the evidence we have that says otherwise, and ignores the facts we do know about how they created liners. And anyone truly experienced with tipi's knows it's the door that makes the smoke rise, in those coldest months, we set the cover all the way to the ground.
Let's not forget he claims he witnessed a tipi take off like Dorothy in Oz. 17 poles that are practically trees? Come on! This again glosses over the fact that tipi's were used in tornado Alley. That people have rode out serious hurricanes in Florida with them. We rode out a winter hurricane with no interior anchor just here this past week. Anyone with experience and friends who live the lifestyle know, a toppled tipi from wind was incorrectly set, and barely leaves its footprint. But, 30 feet into the air like a flimsy tent sure is a fun image to proclaim!
This is a good book...IF you understand he is certainly incorrect on much of his tales, or simply telling tall tells. Taking it for gospel of tipi life isn't a good idea. Even his claims as an outdoor instructor are a bit scared, since he doesn't know that cicada killers nest in the ground and are docile, or that removing copperheads to a different spot away from their den doesn't save them, they don't survive the move.
Some of his animal stories are fun, and indeed do reflect tipi life. Lots of animals come in and visit. I've certainly woken up with a copperhead next to me, I've had a toad jump on my sleeping kiddos head. We have a wren that comes and snacks on stink bugs daily...and stink bugs, some seasons I've had to take a broom and sweep them off the interior walls! The deer sleep next to us, sometimes right behind our bed with just the two layers of canvas between us.
The thing that gets me is, reading through these reviews, most everyone believes him. That does a deservice to the culture which brought us these domiciles, and perpetuated the fantasy so many wish to live and not recognize the hard and at times dangerous lifestyle this truly is.
March 15, 2022
Peace
The search for a peaceful outlook on life ends here. This is a simply magical book that does not impose but invites.
The search for a peaceful outlook on life ends here. This is a simply magical book that does not impose but invites.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews