Subject of this review is the book 'Kulturwandel bei den nordamerikanischen Plainsindianern', written by Jürgen Döring and published in 1984 in Berlin. First a short summary of the contents of the book will be given. Afterwards the structure of contents, the author′s qualification and competence, formal aspects, the bibliographical background and the style of writing (and in this context also the target group of readers) will be evaluated.
I have chosen this specific book, because it deals with the aspect of horses in the Indian culture. As hippology and horse riding are hobbies of mine, I have a special interest in this specific aspect of Indian and North American culture from a horseman′s / horsewoman′s point of view. As I possess a solid particular knowledge in the field of horsemanship I am able to critically judge and evaluate literature which deals with the topic of horses.
Table of Contents
Assessment of the book
Structure
Contents
Cultural changes
Horse
Layout
Style
Tables / Illustrations
Bibliography
Final Evaluation / Target Group of Readers
Objectives and Topics
This essay provides a critical review of Jürgen Döring’s 1984 book, "Kulturwandel bei den nordamerikanischen Plainsindianern," evaluating its academic structure, the author’s competence, and the portrayal of the cultural impact of horses on the Cheyenne and Comanche tribes.
- Methodological evaluation of the book's academic structure and style.
- Critical analysis of the author's expertise regarding hippology and horse equipment.
- Discussion on the sociological definitions of "culture" and "cultural change."
- Assessment of historical accuracy regarding the integration of horses into Indian life.
- Evaluation of the bibliography and the use of primary source materials.
- Identification of the target reader group for this specialized academic text.
Excerpt from the Book
Horse
There are a few books listed in the bibliography, which deal with the horse as part of the Indian culture. But specialized hippological literature is used sparsely by the author. Accordingly, the comments and explanations concerning the physiognomy of Indian horses is rather vague. The knowledge about riding equipment appears to be rather incomplete. The author, for instance, claims that the ‘Kissensattel’, as he calls it, was an invention of the Indians because the Spaniards allegedly did not use them. But there is a type of saddle which is called Maremmana saddle. This one belongs to the group of so-called mattress-saddles (which correspond to the ‘Kissensättel’) and was used by Spanish cow-herds. The ring which is used to fasten the girth (or cinch) is described as being placed in a way as to enable the rider to exert pressure onto the horse’s ribs. Anyone who has sat on horseback once knows what it means to sit on a badly manufactured saddle. Insufficiently padded metal rings, buckles and fittings cause bruises on the rider’s legs. To press one’s leg onto a metal ring (and rub forwards and backwards across it, as the rider naturally moves on the horse) becomes quite a painful job after a while.
The principle of triangular cinching (also called centrefire rigging) is still used nowadays. It is a stable construction, in which both the saddle’s front and back are fastened to the horse’s back. This method of cinching works like a pulley and enables the rider to fasten the girth with a minimum of physical effort. The metal rings form the central element of this rigging method: the girth is fastened to the ring by means of a tie-knot. But the ring is by no means used to exert pressure onto the horse.
Summary of Chapters
Assessment of the book: This section introduces the reviewer's intent to analyze the academic rigor and content of the book under review.
Structure: Evaluates the logical organization of the book and the comprehensibility of its detailed table of contents.
Contents: Reviews the extensiveness and reliability of the research and the author’s handling of varying historical sources.
Cultural changes: Critiques the author's sociological definition of culture and argues against the presentation of culture as a static, uniform system.
Horse: Provides a detailed, critical analysis of the author’s knowledge of equine anatomy, riding equipment, and the training of horses in Indian culture.
Layout: Examines the book’s visual presentation, noting that its academic formatting is functional but lacks visual appeal.
Style: Discusses the academic tone of the writing, noting the use of complex terminology and foreign-language excerpts without provided translations.
Tables / Illustrations: Addresses clarity issues regarding the presentation of data and the specific interpretation of maps and historical drawings.
Bibliography: Analyzes the sources utilized, highlighting the heavy reliance on 19th-century accounts and English-language materials.
Final Evaluation / Target Group of Readers: Concludes that the book serves primarily as a specialized academic reference for students and researchers rather than a general-interest text.
Keywords
Cultural change, Cheyenne, Comanches, Plains Indians, Horse, Hippology, Ethnology, North American history, Academic review, Sociology, Riding equipment, Material culture, Bibliographical analysis, Interdisciplinary research, Horseman.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this review?
The review provides a critical evaluation of Jürgen Döring’s academic work regarding how the introduction of the horse transformed the culture of Cheyenne and Comanche tribes.
What are the central themes discussed in the book?
The book covers the history of horse domestication, the technical aspects of Indian horsemanship, the role of horses in trade and warfare, and sociological definitions of cultural change.
What is the main objective of the reviewer's essay?
The objective is to evaluate the book’s academic merit, the accuracy of its historical and hippological claims, and its suitability for specific reader groups.
What methodology is used to critique the text?
The reviewer employs an academic critique approach, comparing the author's claims against specialized knowledge in horsemanship and broader historical research.
What does the main body of the review address?
It addresses the book’s structure, contents, definitions of culture, specific critiques of horsemanship descriptions, stylistic choices, and the provided bibliography.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as cultural change, ethnology, horse culture, Cheyenne, and Comanche.
Why does the reviewer question the author's description of the 'Kissensattel'?
The reviewer highlights that the author incorrectly claims it as an Indian invention, failing to recognize similar historical designs used by Spanish cow-herds.
How does the reviewer assess the author's use of terminology?
The reviewer critiques the use of non-standard or unusual terminology, such as "sicherer Gang," suggesting the author lacks professional familiarity with specialized hippological language.
- Quote paper
- Maritta Schwartz (Author), 1999, Jürgen Döring's "Kulturwandel bei den nordamerikanischen Plainsindianern". An analysis of content, formal aspects and bibliographical background, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/5110
