Reviews

Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt

spencergl's review against another edition

5.0

I got this book when I was a teen and it sat on my bookshelves and has moved from house to house with me over the years. I got it as birthday gift from my father. He told me to read it as it would give great insight to him. I'm not sure if that is true, but I do think I decided to read this at the right time in my life. It is a very well written recording of a time that is often glorified or not really known about.

The melding of two spirits into one and relaying a wonderful first hand account of the late 1800s. It is a very strong and emotional piece that explains a lot about the natives of North America. Providing a rich insight into the inner communities, religion, and society of the native people. I wish we had to read this in history class, then again, I may not have gotten the full message.

I highly recommend that if you haven't not read this book that you do and really ponder it. It is an age old tale and is applicable to just about anytime in history.

sskylarcook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective tense slow-paced

3.0

lydiamarie19's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

5.0

hipher101's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0

Black Elk Spits

monica_r_jae's review against another edition

We performed a one-act adaptation of this book in high school. I remember hearing other school drama troupes speak derisively/mockingly about our choice of play.

It's important to hear what he had to say.

erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review against another edition

I know I read this for an anthropology class, and I seem to remember that I liked it, but I don't remember any more-specific details.

apolloowl's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

beautifully told. i don’t usually spring for non-fiction but i needed something shorter to read and am incredibly grateful to have been able to read this…

bigboiseabear's review against another edition

The copy I had included many footnotes citing The Sixth Grandfather, an unedited version of Neihardt's conversation with Black Elk. Almost every single time it cited the words Black Elk actually spoke they were much more interesting than whatever narrative Neihardt tries to spin in this book. DNF

greedy_dahlia's review against another edition

informative sad slow-paced

3.0

urikastov's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

3.5