Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Dreamkeepers: A Spirit-Journey into Aboriginal Australia
Dreamkeepers: A Spirit-Journey into Aboriginal Australia
5.0 out of 5 starsArden has a remarkable gift for presenting native wisdom
ByOwen Hugheson April 10, 2000
Format: Hardcover
Dealing with the mysteries of communities other than our own is a delicate matter. Beyond the more obvious impediments to clear understanding such as language, there lies a world of hidden signs and meanings that only reveal themselves slowly, and only then to the sure-footed. Castaneda has written about such experiences, and others have tried with varying degrees of success. Harvey Arden has, all in all, written a remarkable book about the Australian aborigine and his attempt to find a means of expression after the drab interlude of cultural effacement that followed colonisation.
Are we really surprised that these folk have voices of their own? Some of the more remarkable native or aboriginal people of the late twentieth century, are former alcoholics and derelicts. Seen in another life, just a few years ago, most of Western humanity would have found it degrading to even go near them. And yet these were just superficial aspects of the person, which can be seen past if the intention to look is there. Mr. Arden is such a seeker, obviously. I remember thinking at the time I read "The Dreamkeepers," what an amazing thing it was for this to have been written by an American visitor to Australia. The author seemed to have such a grasp of the people and their environment that I felt, surely it must have taken a local writer to develop this degree of understanding. But no, relative stranger to Australia that he was, Mr. Arden had the human touch required and succeeded where, in my opinion, few others would have. This is a fine book and yet another that does not deserve, at all, to be out of print.
---
3.0 out of 5 starsIn Their Own Words
ByPhilip W. Mclartyon June 17, 2008
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Dreamkeepers is subtitled, "A Spirit-Journey into Aboriginal Australia." That's important to emphasize because the spirit-journey is the author's, more so than the Aboriginals.
Harvey Arden is a former editor-writer for National Geographic and co-author of Wisdomkeepers, a book on Native Americans in the United States. In the prologue, he writes,
"I had hoped to garner a few stories from the Dreamtime on this `spirit-journey' of mine into Aboriginal Australia.'" (2)
With that quest clearly stated, he and his guide travel across The Kimberley to seek out and interview a dozen or so Aboriginals to glean from them an understanding of Aboriginal faith and practice, as well as current issues affecting the plight of Aboriginals in Australia today.
Arden is a seasoned journalist and, to his credit, he gives voice to individuals who would not otherwise be heard. This is the strength of the book: The people he interviews are real people with real thoughts and feelings and stories to tell. They deserve to be heard in their own words, and Arden is there to provide the opportunity.
The reader is apt to enjoy Arden's adventures in the bush; his impromptu conversations with Mike, his guide; and, throughout, his humility. He writes,
"I was no anthropologist or scholar or historian ... I wanted to relate to them as human being to human being, ... but no less." (3)
Having said this, the book lacks breadth and depth: The Kimberley is one of many vast areas of Australia, and the spokespersons singled out are but a dozen of hundreds Arden could have just as easily chosen to interview. What's more, the anecdotal nature of the book leaves one hanging. Where is the historical perspective and theological reflection?
The book is what it is - one man's spirit-journey into Aboriginal Australia. If you're willing to accept that, you'll find it worthwhile; if you're expecting more, you might be disappointed.
---
3.0 out of 5 starsMisleading title
ByA. Smithon July 24, 2011
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
If you're expecting "a spirit journey into Aboriginal Australia" - as the book's subtitle implies - then you'll be disappointed by "Dreamkeepers".
The book begins with the quote: "You'll never discover the blackfella's secret", and we never do, because almost all of the interviewees steadfastly refuse to discuss the mysterious "dreamtime". Arden himself must have been disappointed because the more I read the more I felt he had simply given up on his objective and was merely going through the motions of documenting his travels and putting random "blackfellas'" words on paper. The suggestion on page 171 to an elder that maybe he could "just daub some paint on" - for no particular reason - gives one an idea of how demoralized he must have been by his inability (through no fault of his own) to do what he set out to do.
"Dreamkeepers" is certainly no spirit-journey, unless it's Arden's, it merely confirms that there is one and leaves us wanting to know more. It does, however, do exactly what the review by the Library Jornal (in miniscule letters at the top of the front cover) says: it allows the Aboriginal people to speak for themselves, sharing concerns, thoughts and ideas, giving a sensitive account of their struggle for identity and dignity - namely their struggles for land rights and against marginalization and alcoholism. To his credit, Arden does explain the reasons for his failure, but instead of not writing the book (or changing its title) he wrote this one. Even after reading it I'm not exactly sure what "dreamtime" is, except that, as the last interviewee puts it: "It's beyond understanding".
Summing up, "Dreamkeepers" is both an agreable read, full of pleasant anecdotes, stories and characters, and an excellent marketing platform for his previous book, Wisdomkeepers, from which he extracts numerous quotations, including them as and when mentioned by his Aboriginal intervewees.
---
5.0 out of 5 stars,0reamy
ByThomas A. Lieseon August 1, 2008
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
One of the best i've read recently, so much so I was almost sorry to reach the end. Arden spins the non-fiction tale of his journey through the Australian outback to hear Aborigines' tales of mystery, in the stories of their ancestore; and tragedy, in the segregation and near-annihilation suffered by them, although the tale also had laughs. A trip!
---
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat "Journey" Straightforward On the Surface
ByAriel Valerieon April 8, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
When I buy anything by the author I can always depend on getting the truth as it is spoken. I don't have to worry about a lot of New Age philosophizing dolling up the works. We enter the story as the author enters the story - in the front seat of the land rover - we live through the mosquitoes and the flies and the joy in finding the flakes of gold. We see simplicity in all its "bigness" and instead of telling us what Dreamtime is and philosophizing about it - we're allowed to walk and see and smell and breathe and be there on the edge ready to step in - and if we step in and get it great, if we don't then alas it doesn't mean we never will. The beauty here is the day to day experience and where that leads over commentary-- what's beneath the "straightforward on the surface". So many treasures here if you're ready to hear them and find those in yourself. That's the key - your dreamtime. I love the quotes from WisdomKeepers too as I always go back to the jewels there too. It takes a great writer to stand back and let the people talk, a great writer who's not afraid to admit he's human, just one of the "mob"...
----
5.0 out of 5 starsAn Ancient Window
ByAnnabelle Reeveon June 17, 2008
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
There is so much mystery surrounding the Australian Aborigines and white Australians seem to want to keep it that way, to sweep these people under the rug. This book doesn't reveal all but provides a window into the rich and ancient Aborigine culture. Best of all, the window is opened by the people themselves. They are not beautiful by western standards, but they radiate goodness and truth and it makes them beautiful. I offer much gratitude to Arden for searching them out and respectfully writing down their stories and showing their pictures. This book is side-by-side on my shelf with "Wisdomkeepers," Arden's beautiful book about our own North American Aborigines. The theme is the same: To honor and respect these ancient people.
----
5.0 out of 5 starsHow to know a dream
ByL. M. Gonçalveson July 29, 2008
Format: Paperback
This is a very helpful and earnest book if you want to know about aboriginal life and thought in Australia now. By talking with several men and women in many different places the author gives us simple and sensitive reports accompanied by photographies. This means he tells us what he was told and how and when, as well as about his feelings and doubts, the relationships he did or didn't establish with the people, what he learned and what he couldn't learn but tried to.
----
5.0 out of 5 starsTake an incredible journey with this book....
ByGeorge Blitchon July 30, 2013
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Harvey Arden, acclaimed National Geographic writer, takes us into the heart of Aboriginal Australia and shows us a glimpse into the world of the "Dreamtime Ancestors". The stories of his journey are a great read...giving a remarkable view of one man, crossing cultures, and sharing his own spiritual quest, with some amazing photographs as well! My suggestion: read this book, and all of Harvey's other books as well...you won't be disappointed!
---
4.0 out of 5 starsThe Persistence of Truth
ByJudith Cassidyon May 31, 2008
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Like any indigenous people who have encountered European cultures, profound disorientation has taken place amoung the Australian Aborigals. This book demonstrates the subtle continuance of their personal connection to something far greater than anyone can conceive. A centeredness, a natural power wiser than the intellect persists, is healing, gaining ground.
----
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars
ByD. Hubbardon August 3, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Absolutely a book not to be missed. Kindle version downloaded without problem.
Amazon is a winner always!
Spirituality, Mind-Body, Gender, Ecology, Ageing, Peace, Scrapbook (in English and Korean)
