Tipis, Tepees, Teepees: History and Design of the Cloth Tipi

I view this book not as a sort of updated version of the Laubin's book, but a blend of commentary on both traditional and contemporary tipi making, living, and use. Along the way, the author puts some perspective on how the Laubin's book should be viewed in terms of the historical context in which they wrote. It's an important point. She corrects some factual inaccuracies in the earlier work. And while the earlier book is enormously important in terms of its impact, it represents particular views of the times as it relates to the tipi. Those views were different before the Laubin's time and have changed since. So Linda's book adds some historical perspective that is not apparent - or perhaps is even misrepresented, if unintentionally so - in the earlier work.Linda Holley's writing is well-informed. She is an experienced tipi maker and tipi traveler. She cheerfully knowledges the issues she has encountered and the errors she has made. While presenting the tipi as a good and pragmatic choice, she does not go overboard in attributing grandiose characteristics to it. You know the type - the ones that say it is the ultimate tent, the most comfortable outdoor living and camping invention ever. That sort of thing. It is not. It can be damp, buggy, smoky, and a handful to set up and move. While more of a survey book in its coverage than an instruction manual, it is sprinkled throughout with advice.The question has come up in several other reviews as to whether one could construct a tipi from the material in this book. While I have not done so, I believe the answer is yes. You will not find step-by-step instructions for that, however. The instructions for making a cover are essentially a small handful of pages. A few pictures are included to show such things as seam details, flaps, and lacing. If you are creative enough to take some of the general guidelines and concepts along with the material recommendations and perspective throughout the volume, you should be able to construct yourself a nice tipi. That said, you are talking about something that consumes scores of yards of material. Even acquired at low-cost, this will add up. If you can figure out some way of trialing the construction of your cover with something really cheap, that would probably be best.Of course, you could go buy one, too. Linda offers advice on what to look for should you go this route.I found this fun to read. While I happened to be more interested in yurt construction than tipi construction, I wanted to know enough about the latter to be able to make comparisons. Both are incredibly appropriate solutions to nomadic living.

Just want to say that this author introduced us to the idea of using elmer's glue -- or any white water soluble glue -- to hold canvas in place to sew a seam. Iron the glue after you put it inside (especially French fell seams) and it will set almost immediately. If you do this once you will NEVER look back. It is truly the cat's meow. And if you want to wash it out, it comes out easily--- but often you don't even need to. We've made loads of tents and wagon covers and tarps and glue is the answer. Say goodbye to pins.

Broke apart 1st time I opened it. Poor quality binding. Would be difficult to use if you want to make a tipi because the binding won't lay flat while you are looking at it and working on the tipi. Many drawings are of poor quality & not to scale. She should have hired a draftsman or an Artist who could draw to scale and make drawings aesthetically pleasing instead of like a 5th graders drawings. Contains inaccurate information. Examples: Tipis in "Dances with Wolves" were not "Fool the eye" as Linda says. They were made from real cowhide leather by Nomadic Tipi Makers in Bend, Oregon. They were however, sewn incorrectly against Nomadic Tipi Makers recommendations. They began to fall apart in the movie as a result in accordance with Nomadic Tipi Makers predictions of pending failure. Leather was purchased from Frontier Leather in Sherwood, Oregon, since closed by Oregon DEQ. I have know the owners of both companies for many years. Also, she claims the Spirit Pole in front of tipi with ropes attached to smoke flaps was not used by Indians. While it was not standard practice prior to 1860s, it is a historical fact that Black Kettle had a pole in front of his tipi, with smoke flaps tied to it, with an American Flag flying on top when his village was massacred.

The information in the book in great....but the publisher has gone the cheap route with this new print on demand in the later editions. The sharp images on the printed dimensions are blurred and the color photos are now in black and white. The first printing of this book was great with the color inserts...but to save on cost they have now eliminated those photos and gone to cheaper paper. I understand they have now corrected the blurred printing, but the book should be in full color to appreciate tipis. The information is still great, but now cheapened to a manual "how to".It maybe the plight of all new books that have been in print a few years to go to this new cheap way of printing....but it sure does not help the information or photos. Guess the e-books will win out for the reader as this is the new trend.The author has been putting color photos in the share your photos section. This maybe the only way you will see what the material should have looked like. Hey! that part is free.

I have had the R. Laubin (sp) book for many years and have not found anything with much new information until now and while much of the same information is gone over again there is also quite a bit of new information contained herein. It is written in an easy to follow manner and I will use it as a reference in the future

I got this book because I was interested in finding a simple shelter that could be heated in winter. This book meets my expectation on that. I found that the construction was more elaborate than I thought. I really liked the chapter on how to build a fire in one. I think I would buy one rather than make one. The patterns are in this book but I don't sew well. Great info on lots of aspects of tipi life.

I have studied tipis for many years and have read many books on the subject. I also have seen this book advertised for many years and never purchased it for no particular reason but when I did, I was amazed of the information and quality of this book; it is probably the best book on the subject that I have come across thus far. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in tipis and the American Indian culture.

Brilliant book, thank you very much

so much practical information

I liked the Laubin book and this adds to it, kind of like a second updated edition with some added chapters.