Named one of the ten best spiritual books of the twentieth century by Philip Zaleski of HarperSanFrancisco, "Black Elk Speaks" is the acclaimed story of Lakota visionary and healer Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950) and his people during the momentous, twilight years of the nineteenth century. Black Elk grew up in a time when white settlers were invading the Lakotas' homeland, decimating buffalo herds and threatening to extinguish the Lakotas' way of life. Black Elk and other Lakotas fought back, a dogged resistance that resulted in a remarkable victory at the Little Bighorn and an unspeakable tragedy at Wounded Knee. Beautifully told through the celebrated poet and writer John G. Neihardt, "Black Elk Speaks" offers much more than a life story. Black Elk's profound and arresting religious visions of the unity of humanity and the world around him have transformed his account into a venerated spiritual classic. Whether appreciated as a collaborative autobiography, a history of a Native American nation, or an enduring spiritual testament for all humankind, "Black Elk Speaks" is unforgettable. This special edition features all three prefaces to "Black Elk Speaks" that John G. Neihardt wrote at different points in his life, a map of Black Elk's world, a reset text, a listing of Lakota words newly translated and reproduced using the latest orthographic standards, and color paintings by Lakota artist Standing Bear that have not been widely available for decades.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By K Scheffler
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I have to say that Black Elk Speaks is one of the most fascinating books that I've read in a while. It has given me a better understanding of the Lakota people, in particular the significance of visions. The whole process of "civilizing" the American West was a dubious undertaking, the illegitimacy of which has, unfortunately, become distorted by rhetoric and romanticism. This illegitimacy is something that America has naturally been reluctant to face, and it something that will likely never be rectified. Sad really, as what happened to the Lakota, among many others, contradicts quite blatantly the nobel principles that America has, since it's creation, claimed to stand for. Black Elk's story has heightened my understanding of the injustices that the Lakota and other Indians faced. It is an excellent source for those who want a more balanced and truthful account of what happened during c. 1870 to 1890 on the American frontier.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Black Elk's account of the life of the plains indians at the close of the 19th Century is an excellent first hand account of how the United States forced change on the Native Americans and how they struggled to find a way to save their culture in the face of such a radically different and sometimes violent opposing philosophy. Through out the story, Black Elk indicates a level of sadness at being forced into violent confrontation and forced moves around the upper midwest and into Canada. As he puts it in, all they wanted to do was to live in the land that was theirs and it was no longer theirs. His accounts of how the United States routinely violated treaties that were forced on the Native Americans is also a source of the sadness that pervades his account.
In addition to providing a great accounting of the injustices that were committed by the United States, Black Elk also gives an excellent insiders view to the culture of the Lakota. The use of visions, sweatlodges, and dances as a way of promoting their nations is recounted in great detail and provides real insight into how this tribe lived prior to being forced onto a reservation.
The writing of Black Elk speaks is also well done. It is not dumbed down, but at the same time, it was not written over the head of the average reader. There are some instances where going to the appendix to find a good meaning for some of the native words included in the text is helpful, but this is not in the least bit distracting to the readers. If you are looking for an excellent first hand account of the close of the 19th century and the US treatment of Native Americans, look no further than this.
By Jason Nelson
Format:Paperback
This work relates some of the main events of the life of a man (Black Elk) who was both an Indian warrior and holy man. He had several visions when he was younger including one great one which formed much of his later thought and also how he viewed his people. It's a heartwrenching story because one can't help but feel saddened while listening to this man relate how his people lost their land and also many of their own in battles. Also one is moved to sadness by hearing of the instances when the Government lied to his people and either gave them half of what they said they would (in the way of land or cattle) or flat out didn't uphold the terms of a treaty. As Black Elk said, "You can't eat lies." One is reminded how devastating our modern notion of progress has been while we have wallowed in the ignorance of other people and also of the Great Mother (Earth). We've lost out on much of a great culture with the Indians and their way of life and also ruined a lot of the environment out of notions of stupidity such as looking for yellow metal. I recommend this book to get you thinking about how to have compassion for all peoples regardless of how different or savage they may appear and also so we hopefully never make some of the dastardly mistakes other people have made in the past.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
This is a book that every person will obtain something of important value in their life from reading. Read more
Published on Feb 18 2004 by A. McDonald
5.0 out of 5 stars
We should pay attention to Black Elk's vision and wisdom
My gut feeling is that at the height of our folly we have been killing the goose that lays the golden egg - in this case killing off those with the vision and wisdom to get us out... Read more
Published on Jan 16 2004 by DAVID-LEONARD WILLIS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
This chilling-tale riddled with metaphors was something I could hardly put down. It's classic mythology at it's best, combining stories of a tribe with the true myths of the Native... Read more
Published on Jun 29 2003 by Heather
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing and Touching Book
Read the soothing words of Black Elk. They are worth your while.
Published on May 29 2003 by "deg228"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable Biographical and Historical Document
Black Elk of the Ogallala Sioux (or Lakota, their real name) led quite an important life among his people. Read more
Published on April 14 2003 by doomsdayer520
5.0 out of 5 stars
"All the Power of the World moves in a circle ..."
This is an incredible read: an Oglalla Lakota priest and cousin to the famed Crazy Horse relates the story of his life, and his people providing the reader with an intimate and... Read more
Published on April 12 2003 by doc peterson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Black Elk's Narrative shows us what we have lost
This is one of the singularly most powerful narratives I have ever read, and, being an academic focused on Native Languages, I have had the opportunity to read many. Read more
Published on Nov 15 2002 by verafides
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Easy but Worth It
Unlike many of the other reviewers here I read "Black Elk Speaks" primarily for his visions and secondarily for the historical anthropology. Read more
Published on July 30 2002
4.0 out of 5 stars
A glimse of the other side of the story.
I was a student at the time when various fields (Native American studies, Women studies, Afro-American studies, etc. Read more
Published on July 13 2002 by Atheen M. Wilson
2.0 out of 5 stars
gruesome battles
I found this to be a very difficult read, particularly the gruesome battle descriptions. Black Elk's visions were hard to imagine, although they were described and redescribed... Read more
Published on Jan 28 2002
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