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desuntcetera's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
4.5
parkandpark1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
So much has been said about this book that I can hardly add a word more to do it service. Truly a devastating read, and a must-read entry level telling of the slow strangulation of native culture and society in the American West from 1860-1890.
amberacks12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Heartbreaking and ghastly. I’m grateful to say that there’s nothing I didn’t already know in here, besides the finer details and names and quotes used by Dee Brown to narrate the many betrayals by the American government of the native tribes of the west. Grateful because it means that my education did not neglect these events in history.
Now that I’ve read this, I need to continue to read indigenous voices to continue my education.
I don’t have much more to say except that I think every American should read this book.
Writing style: 3
Enjoyment: 3
Emotional impact: 5
Educational value: 5
= 4
Now that I’ve read this, I need to continue to read indigenous voices to continue my education.
I don’t have much more to say except that I think every American should read this book.
Writing style: 3
Enjoyment: 3
Emotional impact: 5
Educational value: 5
= 4
l0rdtim865's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
An amazing book. I learnt so much.
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
Much of what we learn in history class, is a very filtered history. Especially when it comes to the things that don't paint us in such a good light. The things that make us question whether we're the 'good' guys (spoiler alert, we're not). Manifest Destiny, Trail of Tears; these are things briefly touched upon and largely ignored in favor of the Civil War and other such battles in history. We slaughtered a nation.
Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee is a detailed history of the forced relocation, massacre, and other such atrocities brought to the tribes that once called much of America home. As space grew sparse in the East, settlers, miners, explorers all started moving westward. Of course the people living there were expected to move away for their convenience. And when they didn't want to leave their homes, well, I'm sure you know what comes next. It can essentially be summed up as treaties made, treaties broken, tribes forced to move yet again, tribes massacred if they don't comply.
The book itself is told in a very factual way, with still a lot of compassion for what actually happened. The author used leader's quotes themselves quite often and seemed to do their best to convey the atrocities as they should be; an absolute dark mark on our history. Each chapter starts with facts about the year it conveys, and is usually centered on a particular tribe and its leaders, and the inevitable sad event that happens. Even though this was published decades ago, it's still very relevant (although some of the terminology is decidedly outdated).
It's demoralizing, sad, and exhausting to hear just how often they were betrayed. But it's also important to read. If these events keep getting ignored in history, it only serves that we won't learn how to do better. We need to acknowledge all parts of history, not just the parts that make us feel important.
Review by M. Reynard 2020
Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee is a detailed history of the forced relocation, massacre, and other such atrocities brought to the tribes that once called much of America home. As space grew sparse in the East, settlers, miners, explorers all started moving westward. Of course the people living there were expected to move away for their convenience. And when they didn't want to leave their homes, well, I'm sure you know what comes next. It can essentially be summed up as treaties made, treaties broken, tribes forced to move yet again, tribes massacred if they don't comply.
The book itself is told in a very factual way, with still a lot of compassion for what actually happened. The author used leader's quotes themselves quite often and seemed to do their best to convey the atrocities as they should be; an absolute dark mark on our history. Each chapter starts with facts about the year it conveys, and is usually centered on a particular tribe and its leaders, and the inevitable sad event that happens. Even though this was published decades ago, it's still very relevant (although some of the terminology is decidedly outdated).
It's demoralizing, sad, and exhausting to hear just how often they were betrayed. But it's also important to read. If these events keep getting ignored in history, it only serves that we won't learn how to do better. We need to acknowledge all parts of history, not just the parts that make us feel important.
Review by M. Reynard 2020
diamondsky7's review against another edition
3.0
I saw quite a few reviews saying that this book is one sided in its pov. I would like to ask if you would be critiquing a book written from a white pov the same way? I seriously doubt it. This is in all reality a brief synopsis of what many indigenous people had to endure. There are still a number of atrocities that were committed that aren’t present in this book. And if you are calling this book boring, its a history book about genocide we’re you expecting to be giggling and kicking your feet. I understand a critique of the writing style but calling the entire book boring without due cause leaves a disrespectful message to those who are still dealing with generational trauma.