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Behind the Mountains by Oliver La Farge: A Journey into the Heart of the American Southwest

Howard Powell

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Oliver La Farge's Behind the Mountains is a classic work of American literature that explores the culture and history of the American Southwest. The book is full of vivid descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the customs of this unique region.

Behind the Mountains

by Oliver La Farge

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2228 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	322 pages

La Farge was a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who was deeply interested in the American Southwest. He spent many years living among the Navajo people, and his writing reflects his deep understanding of their culture and way of life.

Behind the Mountains is divided into three parts. The first part provides a general overview of the American Southwest, its history, and its people. The second part focuses on the Navajo people, their culture, and their relationship to the land. The third part describes La Farge's own experiences living among the Navajo people.

Behind the Mountains is a beautifully written and informative book that provides a unique glimpse into the heart of the American Southwest. La Farge's writing is clear and concise, and he has a gift for capturing the beauty and majesty of the landscape.

The book is also full of fascinating insights into the Navajo people. La Farge describes their way of life, their beliefs, and their relationship to the land. He also provides a glimpse into the challenges facing the Navajo people, including poverty, discrimination, and the loss of their traditional lands.

Behind the Mountains is a must-read for anyone interested in the American Southwest, the Navajo people, or American literature. It is a classic work that provides a unique and valuable perspective on this important region.

Key Features of Behind the Mountains

Vivid descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the customs of the American Southwest
In-depth exploration of the Navajo people, their culture, and their relationship to the land
La Farge's own experiences living among the Navajo people
Clear and concise writing style
Fascinating insights into the history and culture of the American Southwest

Author Biography

Oliver La Farge (1901-1963) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who was deeply interested in the American Southwest. He spent many years living among the Navajo people, and his writing reflects his deep understanding of their culture and way of life.

La Farge was born in New York City in 1901. He began writing at a young age, and his first novel was published in 1925. In 1929, he published Laughing Boy, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The novel tells the story of a young Navajo man who is forced to leave his reservation and travel to the city.

La Farge continued to write about the American Southwest throughout his career. His other works include Behind the Mountains (1956),The Enemy Gods (1937),and Santa Fe: The Autobiography of a Southwestern Town (1959).

La Farge was also a dedicated advocate for the rights of Native Americans. He served as president of the American Indian Defense Association, and he was instrumental in the passage of the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946.

La Farge died in 1963 at the age of 62. He is considered one of the most important writers of the American Southwest, and his work continues to be read and admired today.

Additional Information

Behind the Mountains is available in print, ebook, and audiobook formats.

The book has been translated into several languages, including Spanish, French, and German.

Behind the Mountains has been adapted into a film and a television series.

Reviews

"Behind the Mountains is a masterpiece of American literature. La Farge's writing is clear and concise, and he has a gift for capturing the beauty and majesty of the landscape." - New York Times

"La Farge's work is a must-read for anyone interested in the American Southwest, the Navajo people, or American literature." - Library Journal

"Behind the Mountains is a classic work that provides a unique and valuable perspective on this important region." - Booklist