Explores the stories behind the making and displaying of 90 different totem poles

Rising from a forest mist or soaring overhead in parks and museums, magnificent cedar totem poles have captured the attention and imagination of visitors to Washington State, British Columbia, and Alaska.

Discovering Totem Poles is the first guidebook to focus on the complex and fascinating histories of the specific poles visitors encounter in Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver, Alert Bay, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau. It debunks common misconceptions about totem poles and explores the stories behind the making and displaying of 90 different poles.

Travelers with this guide in their pockets will return home with a deeper knowledge of the monumental carvings, their place in history, and the people who made them.

Watch the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAaAnYctJcg

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"Discovering Totem Poles is, as the title makes clear, geared toward travelers, but there is plenty here to hold the interest of Southeast Alaskans as well."

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"Jonaitis is refreshingly iconoclastic, reminding us that totem poles were never worshipped or considered sacred and the concept of 'low man on the totem pole' has no meaning."