Once thought of as mere mementos, Southwestern Native American pottery is now considered fine art-praised by critics, coveted by collectors, and commanding top dollar worldwide. Native American Pottery of the Southwest highlights 25 works from the authors' collection, pairing luminous photographs with thoughtful commentary about the potter, his or her community (or pueblo), and the pot itself. But this is more than just a book of exquisite photographs. It also introduces readers to the rich and wrenching history of the Southwest and the evolution of its pottery--from the Anasazi, the ancestors of today's Southwestern Native Americans, who mysteriously vanished around 1300; through the Spanish conquest, the Mexican-American War, the westward expansion that devastated Native American life, and the opening of the Southwest to tourism by the Santa Fe Railroad and Fred Harvey's trackside restaurants and hotels; and to the "matriarchs," six female potters who redefined Native American ceramics in the 20 th century. The book also explores the techniques used by Native American potters, who transform the clay and fire it into vessels of beauty and spiritual depth without using a potter's wheel or electric kiln. It closes with practical advice on how to build a collection and an annotated bibliography. Both a visual feast and a valuable resource, Native American Pottery of the Southwest is a celebration of a uniquely American art, a historical narrative, and an invitation to explore a living tradition. "This book is a revelation. The items displayed are of extraordinary beauty; the photography is magnificent. The text is informative, insightful, and, frankly, emotionally moving." Peter Glick, author, Finding Father . "This beautifully produced volume presents 25 masterpieces of Southwest pottery. Clearly a labor of love, the book is a revelation for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of our native Southwest." Paul Jellinek, author, Promise to Mary "It's almost impossible to say how beautiful this book is." Victoria Weisfeld, author, Architect of Courage "This is an extraordinary book that opened our eyes and our awareness of Southwestern Native American pottery and techniques. The pieces photographed are exquisite; the history, culture, and explanations are extremely clear and concise. It makes us want to get to the Southwest." Richard Seifman, international affairs columnist, and Judy Bachrach, contributing editor, Vanity Fair . "We are most appreciative and have learned so much just by reading the authors' unique regional cultural and history narratives. It's information we couldn't find elsewhere." Richard Nurse, senior producer, The Gardner Documentary Group Stephen Isaacs and Ava Swartz have been collecting Native American pottery since they and their children first visited the Southwest more than 25 years ago. Stephen has been a diplomat, serving in Thailand; a professor at Columbia University, and an attorney, specializing in health and human rights. He and Ava live in San Francisco. Ava Swartz is a writer and editor, who holds master's degrees in public health and urban planning. A founding editor of Photograph magazine, she has written for Newsweek, The Saturday Review, and The San Francisco Chronicle, among others. Oleksandra Kviatkovska is a photographer, living in the San Francisco Bay Area.