American baskets made by people in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina and their surroundings are lovingly shared with the readers by a man who knows and respects their heritage. Indian baskets, especially Cherokee, also are included. Numerous photos detail every step in the basket making process, from the time the tree is cut until the time the basket is completed.

Profusely illustrated authoritative classic gives history and geography of baskets, detailed advice on basket design, materials, techniques, care, and step-by-step instructions. 294 illustrations, including 12 in color on the covers.

A tradition that dates back almost ten thousand years, basketry is an integral aspect of Cherokee culture. Cherokee Basketry describes the craft's forms, functions and methods and records the tradition's celebrated makers. In the mountains of Western North Carolina, stunning baskets are still made from rivercane, white oak and honeysuckle and dyed with roots and bark. This complex art, passed down from mothers to daughters, is a thread that bonds modern Native Americans to ancestors and traditional ways of life. Anna Fariello, associate professor at Western Carolina University, reveals that baskets hold much more than food and clothing. Woven with the stories of those who produce and use them, these masterpieces remain a powerful testament to creativity and imagination.