Into the Canyon - by Lucy Moore (Paperback)

About the Book

"A delight to read; an invaluable historical and cultural narrative."--Leslie Marmon Silko

Book Synopsis

In 1968 newlyweds Lucy Moore and her husband moved from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Chinle, Arizona, where he had taken a job with the recently created Navajo legal services program. They were part of a wave of young 1960s idealists determined to help others less fortunate than themselves.

After fulfilling the two-year commitment with the legal program, Lucy and Bob stayed for another five years. Into the Canyon is her account of the places and people they came to love and the lessons they learned from their Navajo neighbors.

"Ms. Moore's recollection of time spent in Navajo County is a beautiful and spirited tribute to Chinle culture. Moreover, we are given a glimpse into what it means to be affected by a place, time, and people. Beautifully constructed."--Women Writing the West

"Never a false note. Clearly written, candid, and funny . . . an engaging read."--Peter Iverson, historian and award-winning author of Diné and For Our Navajo People

"Lucy Moore tells this story with humor, sensitivity, and grace. Her absorbing memoir of seven years living, working, and being herself with Navajo people is a journey of discovery not only of 'the other' but, even more important, a confrontation with her own identity as a white person."--Mark Rudd, last national secretary of SDS, founder of the Weather Underground, teacher, and activist

"A delight to read; an invaluable historical and cultural narrative. . . . A good deal of my first novel, Ceremony, was inspired by Chinle, but I didn't fully appreciate just how much was going on during those years until I read Lucy's book."--Leslie Silko, author of Gardens In the Dunes and Ceremony

Review Quotes

.,."a valuable and, yes, entertaining read."

""Into the Canyon" is [Moore's] account of the places and people they came to love and the lessons they learned from their Navajo neighbors."

"["Into the Canyon"] rewards its readers in a number of ways. It is a quietly thought-provoking, delightful book, and it is practical on several levels. Anglos might consider "Into the Canyon" a guide to interaction with Navajos."

"[Moore's] honesty and compassion win you over immediately..."

"[Moore] has an easy way with language that lets her make simple yet powerful points and observations, all of which derive organically from the stories she relates"

"Lucy [Moore] tells her story with humor and reveals herself to be an idealistic woman with a sense of fun. All in all, a delightful read."

"The author's description of being a minority is insightful and honest. . . . "Into the Canyon" is a story of the places and people Moore came to love and of the lessons she learned from the Navajo people. Moore provides a personal slice of 1960s idealism. . . . This book is for those interested in American Indians, Southwest history, and crosscultural adventures."

"The collection of stories Moore provides contain poignant memories. . . . Writing with flair and humor, [Moore] provides just the right amount of sentimentality. . . a meaningful read."

"Well-written with a great deal of heart and soul, "Into the Canyon" is a literary window into a unique time and place with wonderfully warm and special people."

"ÝMoore's¨ honesty and compassion win you over immediately..."

"Ms. Moore's recollection of time spent in Navajo Country is a beautiful and spirited tribute to Chinle culture. Moreover, we are given a glimpse into what it means to be affected by a place, time, and people. Beautifully constructed."

"Should be required reading for anyone who has a desire to work with the Navajo people."

..."a valuable and, yes, entertaining read."

." . . a delightful story of six years' residence, where both eagerly learned to live and work within the constraints of a new culture."

." . . insightful and entertaining. . well worth the read."

""Into the Canyon" explores cultural differences gently and nonjudgmentally as an integral part of Moore's adventure. In addition to its strong flavor of the 1960s and 1970s, part of the pleasure of the book is observing the lessons the author learns. . her journey from a college girl to a competent woman who can make things happen and laugh at her own foibles and 'otherness'"

""Into the Canyon" is ÝMoore's¨ account of the places and people they came to love and the lessons they learned from their Navajo neighbors."

"Ý"Into the Canyon"¨ rewards its readers in a number of ways. It is a quietly thought-provoking, delightful book, and it is practical on several levels. Anglos might consider "Into the Canyon" a guide to interaction with Navajos."

"ÝMoore¨ has an easy way with language that lets her make simple yet powerful points and observations, all of which derive organically from the stories she relates"

"Lucy ÝMoore¨ tells her story with humor and reveals herself to be an idealistic woman with a sense of fun. All in all, a delightful read."

"Moore's memoir recounts her seven years in Navajo country during the tumultuous years of 1968 to 1975, as her role in her adopted home went from insurance agent to Headstart teacher to justice of the peace. . . . She immersed herself in the Navajo culture, as best she could, made friends across the divide and never lost her sense of humor."

"This is an interesting and heartening memoir."

""Into the Canyon explores cultural differences gently and nonjudgmentally as an integral part of Moore's adventure. In addition to its strong flavor of the 1960s and 1970s, part of the pleasure of the book is observing the lessons the author learns. . her journey from a college girl to a competent woman who can make things happen and laugh at her own foibles and 'otherness'"