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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I have a great interest in Native American history and literature. This is the most powerful Native American account I've read to date.
I've visited the area where this story takes place, and this book gives me a sense of it's history. It's heartbreaking story it one that every American should be familiar with.
I've visited the area where this story takes place, and this book gives me a sense of it's history. It's heartbreaking story it one that every American should be familiar with.
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
“Black Elk shared his visions with John Neihardt because he wished to pass along to future generations some of the reality of Oglala life and, one suspects, to share the burden of visions that remained unfulfilled with a compatible spirit.” Vine Deloria, foreword.
While I had this in my personal library, I had not read it yet. I finally did, thanks to the Native American literature class I took. It was a wonderful look into the life of Black Elk, presumably in his own words (they are translated, so there is always the concern, how accurately this was done). It gave insight into the visions he had, and an understanding of the point of view of the Native Americans, which has historically been nearly absent.
Revisiting this in 2021 was a good choice. It meant a lot to me when I read it for class in college, but it means more now. I wish we had Black Elk's words unfiltered by the white man, but I'll take what I can get.
It was an interesting book, but I would probably not read it again. I had to read it for one of my college classes. I think it went well with what we were talking about in class, but I just wasn't that into it.
Good read! I admire Black Elk and the intensity of his beliefs. However, I felt that Neihardt took a little too much artistic license.
Eager to read The Sixth Grandfather by DeMallie to see how these compare.
Couldn't fully appreciate this book as I had to read it in a rush for university, but it was a really beautiful and sad account of a native American. I'm personally not a big fan of non-fiction so I did find it quite difficult to get through, especially the long chapters describing visions and ceremonies. However it was still very insightful and interesting, and I think it's so important that such accounts and published and read in America. I find it truly awful that native Americans basically underwent genocide, yet it has been excused and covered up throughout American history. So while I didn't particularly enjoy this book, it is definitely well-written, educational and important.
I liked it, despite Neihardt's corruption of the actual words. I would much rather read the actual transcript.
The brokenhearted anguish and injustices the Native Americans have suffered, and continue to suffer, is an important reality to face. This book leads the reader along that path to show what beauty and mystery has been lost or severely impaired.
There is no center any longer, and the sacred tree is dead.
The brokenhearted anguish and injustices the Native Americans have suffered, and continue to suffer, is an important reality to face. This book leads the reader along that path to show what beauty and mystery has been lost or severely impaired.
There is no center any longer, and the sacred tree is dead.