Book of the Eskimos Hardcover – January 1, 1961

Peter Freuchen actually lived among the Greenland Eskimo in the early 20th century. He married intoan Eskimo family and clan, learned the language, and brought the isolated "people" (what these arcticcultures called themselves in their own languages) into a familiarity that led to our modern fascinationwith this culture.This is to be considered a classic anthropological or ethnological study. It was once a standard workfound in many libraries. While not politically correct in every nuance, thank goodness, it is a treasure;and I feel strongly that every copy that becomes available on the wonderful network of Amazon booksellers should be snapped up without hesitation.Sociologists, historians, naturalists, and especially armchair adventurers will find much of its accounts,photographs, maps and eskimo lore very entertaining and very readable. (It definitely evokes the goldenyears of National Geographic!)But laid out, sometimes at a strongly "adult" reading level are the marriage customs, diet, hunting and oftennear - starvation conditions these people endured. In the isolated, small group bands over centuries Eskimoslearned to utilize every facet of arctic conditions and climate. (Yes, even then, variations in the climate and icepack conditions were witnessed by these adaptable people.)Not all is grim and stark: the humor, travel, sled dogs, clothing and seal flensing feasts are all here, along withthe settling of disputes and the gentle, indirect "insulting skills" of the indefatigable eskimo women. Eskimo derivedwords endure in our language today: "kyak", and "igloo" are two examples.Freuchen saw the advent of wireless radio, the introduction of european diseases, and the adoption of modern firearmsinto Greenland settlements.He somewhat self consciously bore the "white man's burden" and introduced contemporary Danish legalitiesat trials, and village - level interventions a-la "Judge Judy" style. Actual criminal situations, marriage and divorce, wifesharing and property divisions unfold. Cooking, fire tending and oil lamp details abound. Fur, hide and bone toolswere fashioned. Exquisite "primitive" art carving in ivory and whale bone show cultural life in an igloo, with husbandsoften absent on extended hunting and fishing forays. It all brings the innocent humanity and universality of thesepeople to life.Example - the eskimo diet in those days was amazing: once weaned as rather older children, there were no dairy productsin the diet. No vegetables, no flour, no potatoes, and no fruit or grain. Little to zero fire wood. No alcohol, no syrup, nodomestic animals save the treasured huskies. Freuchen shows us there were plenty of other resources these people prized,shared, and sometime fought over.In the end, you come to see these people as amazing and tough and intelligent; and you'll share Peter Freuchen's admirationfor them in those long ago days.If you can also find it on Amazon, look for the movie "The Top of the World" and in the U.S.A. called "The Savage Innocents"featuring Anthony Quinn and Peter O'Toole. It is a memorable and rarely shown 1959 dramatic "Hollywood" portrayal ofEskimo life clashing with the western world's "civilized" ways.

A wonderful book full of arcane information about how the Eskimos lived and what they ate; Guivak is a seal carcass hollowed out and filled with small auks. The carcass is then buried for months and aged. The author then compares the resultant delicacy to blue cheese.And when they determine that they have a sociopath who stays home from the hunt and tries to seduce other men's wives and daughters they insist that he go on a hunt and then push him off an ice floe.In Eskimo the name for a person like this is "He who knows what should be done but doesn't do it."

A truly wonder true-life historical and personal story of living in a forbidden ( for me anyway) of people who live and love Alaska. Written years ago so at times their means of survival, such as eating blubber) seems foreign and not pleasing to me. But I have to say this book, which is out of print and I was very happy to have found it, never was dull for one page. I have also ordered another book by the same author and will give a review later. If you can find this book, get it and discuss the amazing history with your children or grandchildren...or any family member!!

I paid next to nothing for this book. The sellers were honest an informed me it didn't have a jacket. Who cares!? I'm interested in a good read, and something I can pass on when I'm done.

I love this book. I had read it years before but lost the copy I had. Reading it again was just as enjoyable. The language is a little dated and it takes a little bit of getting used to but the stories of Freuchen's experiences living with the eskimo people are great. He gives just enough detail to make the stories interesting and, more importantly, give a snapshot into that culture -- which was his intent. I found the treatment of the eskimo culture absolutely fascinating.

Having an older battered dying paperback edition, I was delighted to find a hardcover copy that will remain in my library for years. Written by an explorer who lived, wed, and passionately loved these people. A sympathetic exploration of these northernmost peoples' lives, cultures, and his experiences living with them as the world they knew was being drastically changed forever by exposure to European influx.

The writing's a bit dated, but it is half a century old, but holy-schmoley, what a fascinating peek into their culture!! Someone should update this and include the same view but from the perspective of the 21st century!

Ordered this for my 90 year old mother, who read it years ago. Arrived promptly and she loves it.

On a mission to read every book by Peter. Fascinating chap.

brilliant content

a pleasure to read, a rare treat for those interested in genuine lives of the Eskimos, in their unspoilt environment. For unknown reason (not politically correct?) the book has not been published anymore so I was delighted to find it online. The delivery service was excellent, I can only recommend it

Great book!