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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.
noniemitchell's review against another edition
3.0
really a conflicting read for me. enjoyable at parts but also the fall out of this book is awful and some parts are down right inappropriate.
unladylike's review against another edition
5.0
I was in tears by the end of this book. I feel like I need to read or listen to discussions of interpreting Black Elk's words and visions. For example, I did not know what he meant whenever he names the south as "the direction which we always face." I inferred that it came from his people's spiritual beliefs, but there wasn't an explanation.
If you go into this book hoping for prophecies of peace or words of spiritual and natural enlightenment, you will likely be disappointed. There are graphic descriptions of violent killings and a romanticized tale of two boys plotting to kidnap and force into marriage a girl in their community. So, take those as trigger warnings.
I hope to live my life as a good wasicu, one who leaves the greed implied in that word behind, and stands with the indigenous people these United States - including my ancestors - have tried so hard to eliminate.
If you go into this book hoping for prophecies of peace or words of spiritual and natural enlightenment, you will likely be disappointed. There are graphic descriptions of violent killings and a romanticized tale of two boys plotting to kidnap and force into marriage a girl in their community. So, take those as trigger warnings.
I hope to live my life as a good wasicu, one who leaves the greed implied in that word behind, and stands with the indigenous people these United States - including my ancestors - have tried so hard to eliminate.
maya_moksha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Definitely recommend reading. While it was emotionally difficult and tense at times, it was needed. It was incredibly eye opening and insightful. Furthermore this story is an important under-told under-represented experience and existence.
the_beatific_bluestocking's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
4.0