water, in the 50 DegreesC heat of the Mojave Desert or the -20 DegreesC chill of the Arctic; moving on foot, by horse, wagon, donkey, boat or train, or later by automobile. More than 40,000 photos were produced during those years. During his lifetime, the finest of these photographs entitled The North American Indian, were presented in twenty elaborate, large-scale portfolios with which Curtis raised a monument to commemorate the disappearing culture of North America's indigenous peoples and to bring it fully back to life. In addition, the book holds a selection of photographs from the text volumes. Without Edward S. Curtis we would hardly know a thing about the rites of the Hopi in America's southwest, nor be able to picture the Qagyuhl winter dancers, or have any idea of the ceremonies on Nunivak Island. The basic humanistic message that shines from his pictures is highly relevant, namely peaceful coexistence in which you can overcome hatred and prejudice if you are always willing, on meeting a stranger, to seek some idea in common.