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herenowjal's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A fascinating book that informs the reader of a behind-the-scenes view of how the whites treated the Lakota Sioux during the later parts of the 19th century. The treatment of these people continues into the 21st century. The area including the Pine Ridge reservation is economically the poorest in the country.
Especially interesting is the spiritual aspect which permeated the Lakota life during the period covered in this book. This connection seems missing in the contemporary life of the Lakota people — much to their detriment.
Especially interesting is the spiritual aspect which permeated the Lakota life during the period covered in this book. This connection seems missing in the contemporary life of the Lakota people — much to their detriment.
toebean5's review against another edition
3.0
Good for Americans to read- more spirituality-based than I anticipated, but alot of food for thought. This makes for good discussion in historiography-circles, especially, since the whole thing is kind of fourth-hand information, tens of years later. But the whole notion of historical memory has raised alot of questions in recent books, so nothing's new. This is also a good introduction to the story of the Lakota, Pine Ridge, Wounded Knee, the Ghost Dance, and more, for people without whose textbooks skimmed over this ugly part of American history.
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
i’ve never read anything quite like this. this was such an amazing book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
blakinho's review against another edition
3.0
Not really a fan of the (copious) changes that Neihardt makes — do read a recent, annotated version, because "Neihardt speaks over Black Elk" might be a more accurate title. He really is selling this very romantic idea of the poor little ndn. Obviously, the Lakota suffered enormously at the hands of the invaders, but Neihardt goes beyond the facts. Interestingly, a lot of the criticism of White society, which I tended to resonate with, is from Neihardt — I guess it's easier to criticize when you know something intimately. Overall a very interesting read but to be taken with a grain of salt (read the annotations).
kcrouth's review against another edition
4.0
Black Elk Speaks is several books in one.
On one hand, it is a personal history of man living within a society and culture under siege and risk of extinction by the self appointed heirs of the North American continent. Through the "words" of Black Elk, a Oglala Lakota medicine man, as written and felt by John G. Neihardt, a dedicated poet historian and mystic, we are able to see and feel what it was like being the last generation of a great and noble people to live in freedom in their homeland. We also experience, just a little, being the targets of a genocide both of our people and of our culture and environment. It is refreshing and sobering to be able to learn and feel a little of what it was like to be the victims of our European descended ancestors.
But Black Elk Speaks is also a philosophical and spiritual glimpse into the Great Vision that Black Elk was given as a child that defined his purpose for most of his life, and of his "brother" from outside his race and culture who was able to bond and translate more than just words, but a life and people's philosophy into a language we can experience and try to understand.
At times the book was beyond my grasp as a 21st century skeptical reader and thinker, but the story and meaning inside are precious jewels and we are lucky that they were captured for us before they were lost forever to our own peoples acts of genocide and destruction.
We discovered this author and book because of his connection to the University of Missouri, and of his influence on another excellent and loved author William Least-Heat Moon, the author of Blue Highways.
On one hand, it is a personal history of man living within a society and culture under siege and risk of extinction by the self appointed heirs of the North American continent. Through the "words" of Black Elk, a Oglala Lakota medicine man, as written and felt by John G. Neihardt, a dedicated poet historian and mystic, we are able to see and feel what it was like being the last generation of a great and noble people to live in freedom in their homeland. We also experience, just a little, being the targets of a genocide both of our people and of our culture and environment. It is refreshing and sobering to be able to learn and feel a little of what it was like to be the victims of our European descended ancestors.
But Black Elk Speaks is also a philosophical and spiritual glimpse into the Great Vision that Black Elk was given as a child that defined his purpose for most of his life, and of his "brother" from outside his race and culture who was able to bond and translate more than just words, but a life and people's philosophy into a language we can experience and try to understand.
At times the book was beyond my grasp as a 21st century skeptical reader and thinker, but the story and meaning inside are precious jewels and we are lucky that they were captured for us before they were lost forever to our own peoples acts of genocide and destruction.
We discovered this author and book because of his connection to the University of Missouri, and of his influence on another excellent and loved author William Least-Heat Moon, the author of Blue Highways.
hinesight's review against another edition
5.0
I've read and re-read this book about yearly since I-don't-know-when. One of the few books - Man's Search for Meaning is another - that is life-changing.