A review by blakinho
Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux by Black Elk

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).