Like a Hurricane [Paperback]

 

 

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Well written book by Native Americans who write an objective history of the 60's style Indian movement that merged into Dennis Banks' American Indian Movement. The first section about the Alcatraz take over is very informative about the Bureau of Indian Affairs plan to move Indians off the reservation to assimilate them in Cities. Unfortunately, many of the Indians that relocated off the reservation ended up in their own Ghettos in poverty. However, these urban Indians such as the Mohawk Russell Oakes get personally involved in the take over of Alcatraz. The authors define well how the plans to take over landmarks comes about, the value of publicity and they bluntly
describe the failures in organization. The failures botch attempts to take Ellis Island and leave the Trail of Tears caravan virtually without shelter which inadvertently results in the take over of the BIA building. Unfortunately, the movement seems to falter with acts of vandalism, burning of a building in Custer, South Dakota and the destructiuon of buldings at the seige of Wounded knee and the unfortunate circumstance of kidnapping. The damage to property, reports of alchol abuse such as the get together in Warrenton, VA. undermines the movement in my mind. Thse acts seemed to diminish the goals of the Indian Movement although the authors make a point that even Martin Luther King could not control all the elements of his movement. Although the actions of AIM do obtian publicity and sympathy for their movement, the authors ironically note that their followers never materialize in large numbers. The book peaks with the reoccupation of Wounded Knee that succeeds as a great reminder of the mistreatment Indians in the past and invoking tribal rivalry between the current council President and AIM. In the finale, the authors note the failure of AIM to maintain itself after many of its leaders such as the charismatic Russell Means are put on trial or in some cases put in jail. The authors quote admirers and critics of the movement which is punctuated with the lack of concrete ideas that could translate to realistic acheivable goals and a lack of organization. Overall a very fascinating book that I wish spent more time on the transition of its main leaders to "Reborn Capatalists" (Banks)
and movie Stars (Means - Pochohontas and "the Last of the Mohicans). In addition, I wish the book provided more detail on the desires of reservation Indians, their problems and ideas for positive change. Very unfortunate that Clyde Warrior, one of the main leaders of the 60's rebirthing of an idealistic Indian movement, dies in the late 60's at the youthful age at 29. If he could have maintained his health and vision, his impact on AIM might have led to greater organization and acomplishments.

It was interesting to note that the authors refer to Sitting Bull as a Oglala Sioux when in fact he was a Hunkpapa Sioux (page 190).

I am a grad student who read this book in preparation of a paper on the movement. I did not know my precise focus, but after reading this book I thought my focus should be the disunity of the leadership of AIM. This book presents a leadership that could not seem to come together on a precise mission. The key figures seem well-intentioned but their lack of agreement on direction seemed to tear things apart.

This book has a lot of great information about the leadership and it is a excellent reference for learning about the seizure at Alcatraz, the Native American Embassy and the second seige at Wounded Knee. I think my problem with the book was that I had heard of these events for years and had romanticized them and to read the problems AIM faced internally left me surprised and let down.

I knew nothing about any of the events depicted in this book. They had been referenced in some other readings I had completed so I was seeking out more information. I felt this book was a great synopsis of the events of the Indian rights movement of the 60's and 70's. I was disappointed in the lack of information on Leonard Peltier and his situation. I wanted the book to continue for a few more years! I think it is sad that the general public has forgotten, so quickly, what occurred during this time. I was born in 1965 and I think once this movement was waning from the media, it was quickly forgotten by the majority of Americans, which is sad. I would recommend this book to anyone searching to understand the plight of the Native Americans today and the history of their search for freedom and the right to exist as they choose.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Like a hurricane
Although Like a Hurricane was a well documented book about AIM, I felt that sometimes Smith and Warrior went into too much depth of the people involved. Read more

Published on Jun 3 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Qualified Recommendation
As suggested by the title, Like a Hurricane is a dedicated history of the struggle for Native American rights. Read more

Published on Dec 20 1999 by Tim Hundsdorfer

4.0 out of 5 stars A very inspiring read.
I found the book most interesting, it has inspired me to find out more about the subject. I feel that the book benefitted from its comments on the failures of the movement, as... Read more

Published on Nov 24 1999 by Laura Jay

5.0 out of 5 stars A great historical read!
This book picks up where Dee Brown's Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee leaves off. I was afraid when I ordered this book that it would be too politically technical, but it wasn't at... Read more

Published on Sep 8 1999 by ruble@ems.att.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful overview of an ignored movement
This book is a fabulous overview of a widely ignored and/or distorted movement in American and Indian history. Read more

Published on Jun 12 1999 by margyn@hotmail.com

5.0 out of 5 stars I found this book very well-written and well-researched
Unlike "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" which was a more hysterical presentation, throwing out a patch quilt of names, bar room brawls, arrests and killing, I found... Read more

Published on Jan 19 1999 by LaLoren

4.0 out of 5 stars 'Like a Hurricane' good, but leaves out important info
The book is good, but it does not include anything on the much-needed social programs started by or with help from the American Indian Movement. Read more

Published on Oct 30 1998 by deveryf@iastate.edu

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbiased veiw of turbulent time in Native American History
Distinctly unbiased, thoroughly researched, well written. I was happily suprised by the unbiased treatment of an important if forgotten part of recent american history. Read more

Published on Nov 14 1997

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