A retelling of various Native American myths, with background information describing the history, geography, belief systems, and customs of the indigenous peoples of North America.

Magic of myths -- First Americans -- Vast and varied continent -- Tribes and regions -- Traditional ways of life -- Sacred circle -- Living with the spirit world -- Timeless tales of North America -- Northeast: Iroquois creation story -- Woman who fell from the sky -- Southwest: Zuni origin myth -- Corn maidens -- Northwest Coast: Tlingit/Tsimshian origin myth -- Raven brings the daylight -- Northeast: Algonquian hero tale -- Glooscap slays the water monster -- Great plains: Sioux trickster tale -- Coyote and the rock -- California: Karuk story of the afterlife -- Visit to the land of the dead -- Glossary -- Living myths -- Sources of the myths -- To find out more -- Selected bibliography -- Index.