Book 1, Animal Speak : Chapter 1, Predator & Prey Summary and Analysis

There is a very brief introduction, followed by Part One, 'Symbols in the Natural World', which has five chapters. Only the first three of these are covered in this first summary chapter. During the first chapter he orients readers to his worldview. During the second, he introduces 'spirit totems'. The summary title is named for the third chapter of the book.

The author then shares with readers a piece of the ancient history of some of the Native American tribes. This is the idea that there was a time when there was no communication barrier between humans and the other creatures of the world. Later traditions developed in which certain abilities were described in association with animals that were known to have attributes. This continues today, more colloquially, when people refer...