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

3.0

I liked the book, although my expectation level my have been too high. It does tell a rather an amazing story, being a Wounded Knee Massacre survivor in itself is amazing, not to mention the recounting of his travels both in America & Europe. The book does EMINATE sadness - for the loss of an entire people's culture, religion and home. Given the massacre occurred in 1890 & the virtual destruction of the culture culminated less than 125 yrs ago, is also a sad statement at how harsh human beings have always been, as well as how we refuse to learn anything from the past. Especially bitter is the fact that 250 years ago many of the native Americans fought with the original 13 colonies against the British. The stories from his youth give some, but not as much insight as I expected into their religion which I believe was not based on the greed & conquer call that most of our "modern" religions are historically ladened with.