Releasing the Spirit appears in two volumes.

Volume I: Out from the Past covers the backstory of the millennial-long history of Zuñi fetishes, the wider use of fetishes before and after the sixteenth century Spanish incursion into the region, the origins and present-day activities of the Zuñi fetish trade, the imagery and its connections to other ceremonial symbolism, the range of materials used and how carvings are made.

Volume II: Personalities continues the story of the art of Zuñi fetishes with an emphasis on people and places. It focuses on the “who”: recognized pioneer carvers in the distant past, those from the recent half century and some forging ahead into the future, especially those who have taken the art form to higher levels in both execution and artistry. This volume also highlights families who have perpetuated the traditions through multiple generations and who continue to move them forward.

Each volume includes its own appendixes and these complete reference aids: list of chapters, table of contents and text and photo indexes.