Review by Booklist Review
Training her journalist's gaze on North American archaeological sites stretching from the northern Yukon to southern Texas, Pringle spent time with committed archaeologists devoted to unearthing new evidence of ancient cultures. Deserving kudos, Pringle dramatically evokes the passion, dedication, and perseverance of these seemingly inexhaustible scientists. In separate narratives, Pringle reveals how each engages in similar struggles to solve the mysteries of early civilizations amid a gathering of clues. The author's incisive study of the area's prehistoric era contributes to a stimulating discourse, revealing exciting discoveries and instances of scientific progress. At times, attempts to rule out erstwhile theories crystallize in the retelling. Bringing together colorful portrayals of researchers and stirring descriptions of intriguing prehistoric sites, Pringle's book should have broad appeal to readers. --Alice Joyce
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A broad survey of the prehistoric cultures of present-day Canada and the US. Pringle, a Canadian museum researcher, has had long experience working in the field, experience that she brings to bear in discussing patterns of trade, settlement, and daily life among ancient cultures as diverse as the little-known fishing peoples of Eel Point, Calif., and the heavily studied mound-building peoples of the Ohio River Valley. As a look at the ways in which archaeologists puzzle out problems--for instance, why a seemingly complicated system of class stratification would take root among the technologically simple Keatley Creek salmon fishers of British Columbia--Pringle's book has several virtues. She is adept at discussing how artifactual evidence is weighed and used, and she provides good coverage of Canada, which receives too little attention in survey texts in archaeology. However, she makes a few simplistic claims on matters that are still wide open to debate, arguing, for instance, that a particular Chaco Canyon dwelling was likely used for ceremonial purposes, when most specialists in Southwestern prehistory are busy dismantling the long-held view that the ancient Anasazi were an overly ritualistic people. (Her statement, too, that ``archaeology is a hard science'' is one most specialists would take issue with.) A larger problem is Pringle's uninspired narrative style, which is not helped by her attempts to provide color (``Rumpled and unshaven, with gold-rimmed glasses, bushy mustache, and long, dark hair combed straight back, the fifty-four-year-old scientist looks every bit the old Yukon hand, a character straight from the pages of Robert Service.'') Purists will object to the lack of coverage of Mexico, which is, of course, part of North America and offers plenty of archaeological problems that would lend themselves to discussion here. (26 b&w photos, 8 pages color photos, not seen)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
