The Soul of the Indian: An Interpretation Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ohiyesa wrote this book in 1911, and did a masterful job at conveying spiritual truths in simple language that anyone can understand.
Ohiyesa tries to impart that this form of spirituality is more about a state of mind and heart instead of performing ceremonies by rote.
There are many little gems of wisdom in this book, and it would be a great place to start if you wish to explore the American Indian (Sioux) form of spirituality.
Here are a few of those gems I mentioned above.
Page XII "My little book does not pretend to be a scientific treatise. It is as true as I can nake it to my childhood teaching and ancestral ideals"
Page XIII "We know that the God of the lettered and the unlettered, of the Greek and the barbarian is after all the same God;"
Page 4 "Our faith might not be formulated in creeds, nor forced on any who were unwilling to receive it; hence there was no preaching, proselyting, nor persecution"
Page 4 "He (the indian) would deem it sacriledge to build a house for Him (the Great Spirit) who may be met face to face in the mysterious , shadowy aisles of the primeval forest"
Page 13 "The Indian no more worships the Sun than the Christian adores the Cross"
Page 14 "We believed that the spirit pervades all creation and that every creature posesses a soul in some degree, though not necessarily a soul conscious of itself."
Page 15 "He (The indian) paid homage to the spirits in prescribed prayers and offerings)
Page 45 "In the life of the indian there was only one inevitable duty,--the duty of prayer--the daily recognition of the Unseen and Eternal. His daily devotions were more necessary to him than daily food."
Much wisdom for a book more than 90 years old!
I encourage questions and comments about my reviews; Two Bears.
Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Soul of the Indian: An Interpretation

Charles Alexander Eastman (1858-1939) was a mixed-blood Sioux. His maternal grandmother, daughter of Chief Cloudman of the Mdewankton Sioux, was married to a well-known western artist, Captain Seth Eastman, and in 1847 their daughter Mary Nancy Eastman became the wife of Chief Many Lightnings, a Wahpeton Sioux. Their fifth child, Charles Alexander Eastman, as a four-year old was given the name Ohiyesa (the Winner). During the Sioux Uprising of 1862 Ohiyesa became separated from his father-his mother had died soon after his birth-and fled from the reservation in Minnesota to Canada under the protection of his grandmother and uncle. There he was schooled in the Indian ways until the age of fifteen, when he was reunited with his father, who took him back to his homestead in present South Dakota. Eastman went on to become one of the best-known Indians of his time, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Dartmouth in 1887 and a medical degree from Boston University three years later. From his first appointment as a physician at Pine Ridge Agency, where he witnessed the events that culminated in the Wounded Knee massacre, he sought to bring understanding between Native and non-Native Americans. In addition to two autobiographical works, Indian Boyhood (1902) and From the Deep Woods to Civilization (1916), Charles Eastman wrote nine other books, some in collaboration with his wife, Elaine Goodale Eastman (who has told her story in Sister to the Sioux, also a Bison Book).In The Soul of the Indian, first published in 1911, the author's aim has been "to paint the religious life of the typical American Indian as it was before he knew the white man."

Get 15% OFF

Click here for more information about The Soul of the Indian: An Interpretation

Read More...

Where White Men Fear to Tread: The Autobiography of Russell Means Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Most people have probably heard of Russell Means at some point. Means is the best known member of the American Indian Movement (AIM). AIM was the group that took over Wounded Knee in the early 1970's and engaged in numerous protests to try and bring attention to the plight of the Native American. This autobiography not only gives the reader a detailed description of the life of Russell Means, but insights into the philosophy of this revolutionary. While AIM has receded into the background quite a bit since its glory days, Means is still going strong. This book shows us why.
The book doesn't flinch from unpleasantness. We find out that Means' parents were abusive and that his father was an alcoholic. Russell himself became mixed up in drugs during his youth and quickly became sucked into the same alcoholic world that his father inhabited. Throughout his career as a member of AIM, Means drank constantly until he finally came to terms with this problem and discovered that his rage could be controlled. During the course of the book we see Russell being beaten up, shot, arrested numerous times, and imprisoned for his activities. This guy has seen it all, and the picture on the front of the book tells me that I would hate to be on this man's bad side. He's tough, but cares deeply for his people and what he believes in, a trait that is certainly noble and admirable.
What comes across most strongly in this book is how AIM helped Means find his spirituality. Before becoming conscious of his heritage, Means spent most of his time in bars drinking. Once he gained awareness of his heritage, Means took part in numerous rituals, such as the Sun Dance and crying for visions. The book goes into intricate detail in describing the importance of these rituals and how they are practiced. This spirituality helped Means to quit drinking and allowed him to begin taking care of his family (which is sprawling; he was married a lot and has many children). The element of spirituality in the book is important because for years many Indians were denied the right to practice their religious ceremonies by the federal government. Even now, according to Means, there is still opposition to some of the ceremonies.
The last several chapters of the book show why AIM became increasingly insignificant. Fractures within the group over spiritual matters escalated, and Means himself became wrapped up in trivial issues. Means associated himself with Larry Flynt, the Unification Church, and the Libertarian Party. All of these associations reflected poorly on what AIM tried to accomplish. The final straw seemed to be when Means defended the Indians in Nicaragua against the Communist Sandinista regime. The Indians there were being bombed and killed by the Communists, and Means spends a chapter or two showing how serious this was. American Leftists and other pro-Marxists vilified Means when he proved his case. These people just couldn't accept that Commies were killing indigenous people.
This is an excellent book that will make people think about their culture. I recommend this to anyone interested in Native American studies or political movements. Russell Means, whether you agree with his life or not, should be commended for standing up for what he believes in and never backing down. We should all be more like that.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Where White Men Fear to Tread: The Autobiography of Russell Means

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Where White Men Fear to Tread: The Autobiography of Russell Means

Read More...

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a marvelously well researched book. In respsonse to some of the bad reviews I have read I have to say that yes, Matthiessen does not try to hide the fact that he sides with the Indians. Yes the book is biased in the favor of the Indians. So what. When you examine the FBI and the US Government's history of maltreatment of all minorities, especially native peoples, why should an author feel obligated to paint the establishment in a flattering light. He is simply exposing the ugly truth of the dark underbelly of our "democracy".
This is hard for some people to handle, thus the poor reviews. Ask yourself this, in the midst of phenomenal violence why does the FBI never investigate dozens of unsolved murders, instead devoting lots of man-hours to tracking down Jimmy Eagle for the theft of a pair of cowboy boots???You be the judge.
This is an amazing read. Thankfully, the FBI, Special Agent David Price and Governor William Janklow all lost in thier legal attempts to keep this information from us. So celebrate freedom of press and curl up with this book!!!Freedom for Leonard

Click Here to see more reviews about: In the Spirit of Crazy Horse

A look at the events surrounding the incarceration of native American activist Leonard Peltier elucidates the traditional Indian concept of the sacred inviolability of the earth and presents new evidence supporting Peltier's claims of innocence, arguing for a new trial. Reprint.

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about In the Spirit of Crazy Horse

Read More...

Kidnapped and Sold By Indians -- True Story of a 7-Year-Old Settler Child (Annotated and Illustrated) (First_Hand Account Of Being Kidnapped By Indians) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This account can be quickly read and had interesting insights into the life and travelings of Native Americans of the time. A white boy stolen from his family and assimilated into another life is compelling. When he learns that he might have been abducted and was not truly Native American he feels the need to look for his white family. Given the approval of the chief he leaves behind a wife and 2 children in search of his people promising to return.
Knowing that Native American children were routinely and legally kidnapped from their families to be forcibly assimilated into white culture was in my mind all through the book.
He was traded from tribe to tribe and traveled the entire length of the continent and into the Arctic with them as he crossed tribal territories. He describes different traditions from tribe to tribe.
His story is told dispassionately in that clear but stilted turn of the century English and it reads like he is simply sitting there with you reciting the events.
Enjoyed the read.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kidnapped and Sold By Indians -- True Story of a 7-Year-Old Settler Child (Annotated and Illustrated) (First_Hand Account Of Being Kidnapped By Indians)

' This newly revised edition includes annotations and content about another child kidnapped by Indians who went on to give birth to the last Comanche chief. ' It also includes 12 dynamic historical photographs from the National Archives depicting the numerous tribes Mathew Brayton lived among and fought with. This first-hand narrative of the life of Matthew Brayton, a seven-and-a-half year old white child of a settler who was kidnapped and sold many times by Native Americans in the beginning of the 19th century, probably doesn't share all the gory details of his abuse when initially captured, but you can read between the lines. Still, this first-hand account does shed much light on what it was really like to come under the charge of many different Indian tribes.Although Brayton's treatment was not entirely negative or positive, his frank and blunt story does much to dispel the romantic stories that have been perpetuated about young settlers' children who became Indian chattel. It does much to tell true history and dispel any deliberate or accidental revisions. In many cases the Indians treated Brayton well, but there can be no doubt that they stole from him and his family a life that would end up confused and stuck between two worlds. Although Brayton did finally unite with many of his natural family, he never stopped identifying with Native Americans, and he was forced to leave an Indian wife and child behind. In fact, when the War of Rebellion or Civil War broke out, Brayton enlisted and served in an American Indian brigade. Chet DembeckPublisher of One

Click here for more information about Kidnapped and Sold By Indians -- True Story of a 7-Year-Old Settler Child (Annotated and Illustrated) (First_Hand Account Of Being Kidnapped By Indians)

Read More...

Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Be prepared to be affected by this book. I guarantee that you can not read it without being emotionally touched and moved by this account of the loss of a beautiful land, the demise of a conscientious and spiritual way of life and finally the extirpation of a nation of people; or at least their ceasing to exist as free, independent, proud and noble individuals.
The book had a profound impact on readers when it was first published in 1971 for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it took a unique perspective. Reports of Treaty meetings, tribal histories, Congressional findings and interview transcripts have all been distilled to provide the Indian point of view. Indeed the books' subtitle is 'An Indian History of the American West'. The second factor has to do with when the book was published. Interest in environmental issues was growing and the accounts of the destruction by the settlers of the Eastern forests, the soiling of the rivers and the slaughter of the Buffalo herds struck a chord, especially when contrasted with the practices of the Indians. Readers began to see Indians in a different light, as the first conservationists.
The period of history covered is short. From about 1860 to 1890. The first chapter briefly sketches the interactions between Eupopean and Indians from the formers' arrival in Massachusetts in 1620 up to the setting up of the 'permanent indian frontier' west of the Mississippi in 1847.
The 'frontier' lasted no time at all. Gold was discovered, land was sought and settlers flocked west. To cover this in legitimacy it was necessary to invent 'Manifest Destiny'. The Indians were now doomed as history has shown that this policy made it manifest that the Indians were destined to be swept aside by the white man. All that we have left is their legends, their magical placenames and some works like this book that provides insights into how the West was really lost.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

Click here for more information about Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

Read More...

American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee (Defining Moments) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee is the latest installment in the "Defining Moments" series of invaluable resources chronicling important events in America's history. Like all volumes in the series, American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee is divided into three sections: the Narrative Overview section, summarizing the events of the governmental policy that ultimately led to an infamous massacre; the Biographies section which concentrates information about key historical figures (along with a list of resources for further information on various individuals); and the Primary Sources section offering a wide assortment of original references and documents - letters, memoirs, official records, and much more. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this detailed, practical, user-friendly historical compendium, highly recommended for public and college library reference shelves.


Click Here to see more reviews about: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee (Defining Moments)

One of the introductory volumes in a series designed to provide authoritative, useful resources on American History, Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee provides readers with a detailed overview of the 1890 massacre of more than 250 Native American men, women, and children by the United States Cavalry at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. The authors analyze the conditions that led to this horrific event and its effect on the country's political, cultural, and social landscape, then and now. The research presented here is arranged in three distinct sections: narrative overview; biographies, which includes background on principal figures involved in the massacre; and primary sources. This unique and comprehensive volume also includes a glossary of important people, places, and terms, as well as a chronology of events, a subject index, and an annotated list of sources for further study. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Click here for more information about American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee (Defining Moments)

Read More...

Eyewitness at Wounded Knee (Great Plains Photography) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Was so inspired by the photographs in this book, I took it with me on one of my visits to Wounded Knee, to compare and photograph pictures from on or near the same place the photographer(s) did at that time, at the massacre site as well as the town itself.There are many pictures that I had not seen anywhere else in this book, and anyone interested in this place in history has got to have it. Textually very good as well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eyewitness at Wounded Knee (Great Plains Photography)

On a wintry day in December 1890, near a creek named Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, the Seventh Cavalry of the U.S. Army opened fire on an encampment of Sioux Indians. This assault claimed more than 250 lives, including those of many Indian women and children. The tragedy at Wounded Knee has often been written about, but the existing photographs have received little attention until now.Eyewitness at Wounded Knee brings together and assesses for the first time some 150 photographs that were made before and immediately after the massacre. Present at the scene were two itinerant photographers, George Trager and Clarence Grant Morelodge, whose work has never before been published. Accompanying commentaries focus on both the Indian and the military sides of the story. Richard E. Jensen analyzes the political and economic quagmire in which the Sioux found themselves after 1877. R. Eli Paul considers the army's role at Wounded Knee. John E. Carter discusses the photographers and also the reporters and relic hunters who were looking to profit from the misfortune of others.
For this Bison Books edition each image has been digitally enhanced and restored, making the photographs as compelling as the event itself. Heather Cox Richardson tells the story behind the endeavor to present a meaningful account of this significant historical event.

Get 24% OFF

Click here for more information about Eyewitness at Wounded Knee (Great Plains Photography)

Read More...

Trail to Wounded Knee: The Last Stand of the Plains Indians 1860-1890 (National Geographic) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I first looked at this book I thought it would be either a white man's history of the American west or an apologists view of our failed Indian policies of the 19th century. But as I delved into it deeper, I was impressed with Herman Viola's knowledge and writing style. He is director of a Smithsonian division and uses his skills to write a history that is neither pro-imperialism nor apologetic. The Indian wars were a disgrace to American "foreign" policy but those of us living in the 21st century need an accurate account of them to allow us to come to terms with our own history.
Since National Geographic published the book there are plenty of maps and photographs to add life to the book. This is not a dry old history book but is meant to be read and used as reference for further research into the subject. It is a good companion to the Dee Brown classic "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee" though I doubt the author really tried to dispell any points Dee Brown may have made. The Trail to Wounded Knee is an important book that provides insight into our past. For this reason anyone interested in Indian policy or 19th century American history should seriously consider reading this book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Trail to Wounded Knee: The Last Stand of the Plains Indians 1860-1890 (National Geographic)

A meticulously researched, richly illustrated study chronicles the decimation of the Plains Indians and their culture over the course of a single generation, spanning three decades of warfare from 1860 to 1890, leading to the final massacre at Wounded Knee.

Click here for more information about Trail to Wounded Knee: The Last Stand of the Plains Indians 1860-1890 (National Geographic)

Read More...

Ghost Dancing the Law: The Wounded Knee Trials Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you have an interest in the legal presentation in the Wounded Knee trials that led to Leonard Peltier's imprisonment, this is your book. Sayer demonstrates with clear evidence how corrupt out legal system is coupled with the power of the media in political matters, such as the wrongful imprisonment of Peltier.
The book gets into documents and testimony that you would think proves Peltier's innocence. However, there is a force that is greater than the truth, and that is corruption!
The American Indian Movement (AIM) and its attorneys have little chance as long as the American public remains blind to the powers that be in the legal system and in government. This book is an eye opener. However, be aware that the reading can seem mundane at times unless you have a keen eye and interest in legal jargon. I was lost a few times but finishing the book was worth it to hear the other version of "truth".
I recommend this book if you have any interest at all in the Leonard Peltier story or of the corruption of a system that works for the government, not for the people.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ghost Dancing the Law: The Wounded Knee Trials

Get 5% OFF

Click here for more information about Ghost Dancing the Law: The Wounded Knee Trials

Read More...

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: The Illustrated Edition: An Indian History of the American West Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Saw this book at the Smithsonian Indiian Museum in Washington DC. My husband couldn't put it down. This is the one with the illustrations which really brings home the story. Great read, great book. Anyone interested in learning the other side of the Indian story needs to read this.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: The Illustrated Edition: An Indian History of the American West

For the first time: a full-color illustrated edition of Dee Brown's classic history of the American West!Eloquent, heartbreaking, and meticulously documented, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee follows the systematic destruction of the American Indian during the second half of the 19th century. Upon its publication in 1970, the book was universally lauded and became a cultural phenomenon that proved instrumental in transforming public perceptions of manifest destiny and the "winning" of the West. Using council records, autobiographies, and firsthand descriptions, Brown's work highlighted the voices of those American Indians who actually experienced the battles, massacres, and broken treaties. Here is their view of the events that ultimately left them demoralized and defeated, including: the Battle of Sand Creek; Red Cloud's War; the Battle of the Little Bighorn; and, of course, the Wounded Knee Massacre. Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, and Spotted Tail—the great chiefs and warriors of the Dakota, Ute, Cheyenne, and other tribes—come to life through their own words and formal portraits. Now, hundreds of illustrations—including maps, photographs, sketches, and paintings—enhance Brown's masterpiece, making it even more vivid and personal. In addition to the incredible images, this edition also features relevant excerpts from such highly acclaimed Native-American themed books as Where White Men Fear to Tread by Russell Means, Mystic Chords of Memory by Michael Kammen, and Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog, as well as all-new essays by contemporary historians and Native American leaders like Elliott West and Joseph Marshall III.

Get 49% OFF

Click here for more information about Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: The Illustrated Edition: An Indian History of the American West

Read More...