Average customer rating:
- Lakota Woman
- Non Fiction
- Lakota Woman
- Excellent
- Powerful and compelling account of a woman on the reservation
|
Lakota Woman
Mary Crow Dog
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 African-American & Black
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Women
| Specific Groups
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Human Rights
| Constitutional Law
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Ethnic Studies
| Special Groups
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Native American Studies
| Special Groups
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Women's Studies
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
West
| State & Local
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Nonfiction Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West
-
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse
-
Black Elk Speaks
-
Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, Twenty-First Century Edition
-
Trail of Tears
ASIN: 0060973897 |
Book Description
A unique autobiography unparalleled in American Indian literature, and a deeply moving account of a woman's triumphant struggle to survive in a hostile world.
Customer Reviews:
Lakota Woman.......2007-10-02
I learnt so much from this book, and felt myself getting angry because of her experiences. good on her for telling her story. L'Ohanna
Non Fiction.......2007-09-03
An autobiographical account of Mary Crow Dog's life, this includes experiencing the events that happened at Wounded Knee, and her relationship with her husband, as well as the politics and experiences associated with the AIM political movement.
A look at the disturbing state and problems these people were facing at the time, very interesting.
Lakota Woman.......2007-08-23
An interesting look at the American Indian's struggles in the latter half of the 20th century. The perspective of Mary Crow Dog is helpful for those who have no similar life experiences to compare to it. Very good insight.
Excellent.......2006-11-10
The book came in perfect time and is in excellent condition. I have added it to my collection of Native American History
Powerful and compelling account of a woman on the reservation.......2006-07-28
This is a very powerful book about Mary Crow Dog's experiences growing up as a Lakota (Sioux) woman on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. It should be required reading for anyone who feigns ignorance of the ways that Native Americans continue to be treated in the US today. Local whites, the state of South Dakota, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the rest of the power establishment have their inhumanity exposed.
Crow Dog writes in a very sparse style, and writes of brutal incidents in a matter-of-fact way. While this style makes the book compelling, it is also responsible for a major weakness of the book. Throughout the book, Crow Dog is never introspective. Things happen (she uses drugs, starts shoplifting, chooses men poorly) or happen to her (she is raped, among other things), but she doesn't think about why these things happen. She conveys neither a sense of her own agency in these events, or a sense of her own lack of agency.
Oddly for an autobiography, Mary Crow Dog is the object, not the subject, of this story. Even at Wounded Knee, she doesn't really understand why she is there, other than the fact that she has followed the male authority figures of the movement into the siege. She made her choice and put her body on the line but can't really explain why. How life on the reservation produces people like this is certainly worth reflection.
This siege at Wounded Knee provides the centerpiece of the book, and its natural climax. Crow Dog has a very different view of these events than the accounts provided by the leadership, who knew their history and knew what they were trying to do. Crow Dog also talks about the aftermath of the siege, and the period when her husband was in jail. At this time, she also followed him into the practice of Native American religion, and - - more implicitly than explicitly - - explains why this religion is attractive to many.
Finally, this book also provides a valuable insiders' perspective of the dysfunctional communities on Pine Ridge. It's interesting that the politically correct crowd condemns Ian Frazier's "On the Rez" while praising "Lakota Woman"- - both paint similar pictures of the same reservation. It's true than a Lakota insider brings perspectives not available to outsiders, but a white outsider also bring perspectives not available to insiders. Read them both and make up your own mind.
Book Description
Rich with storytelling, history, and folklore, The Lakota Way expresses the heart of Native American philosophy and imparts the path to a fulfilling and meaningful life. Joseph Marshall is a member of the Sicunga Lakota Sioux and has dedicated his entire life to the wisdom he learned from his elders. Here he focuses on the twelve core qualities that are crucial to the Lakota way of living-bravery, fortitude, generosity, wisdom, respect, honor, perseverance, love, humility, sacrifice, truth, and compassion. Whether teaching a lesson on respect imparted by the mythical Deer Woman or the humility embodied by the legendary Lakota leader Crazy Horse, The Lakota Way offers a fresh outlook on spirituality and ethical living.
Customer Reviews:
pleasant surprise.......2007-09-26
I bought this book at a store in Oklahoma City and it was wrapped in packaging. I had already read three of Marshall's books but when I unwrapped it after buying it, my first reaction was it was a mistake to buy it. It was not what I was expecting. Much to my pleasant surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed Marshall's story telling.
I highly recommend anything he writes. I am currently reading his book on Crazy Horse and it is excellent. His book, "Walking with Grandfather" is outstanding.
Marshall is certainly one of the Elders of his tradition and is an accomplished writer and historian. His works are a must read.
Worth Sharing.......2007-08-25
This book can change you if you are open to it. It made me rethink a few assumptions I had about myself. I think all of us know the dictionary definition of virtues such as generosity and wisdom, but Marshall shares stories and personal insights that teach how to weave those qualities into the fabric of your life. This book is warm-hearted and inspiring. Its organization is well suited for discussion groups. The Lakota Way should be the way of our leaders, neighbors, family members and our hearts.
Re-Read this book.......2006-06-28
The wealth of virtues discussed in this book through the legends of the Lakota tribe are presented in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. A wonderful book that is enjoyable to read, and educational as well. This book now sits on my top shelf, with the few other books that I re-read regularly. This is a place of honor, and speaks to the greatness of Mr. Joseph M. Marshall's explanation of the traditional legends, and their connection to modern life. You don't have to be a Native American to enjoy this book. Read it, and re-read it. See how your personality and character develops into something you never would have imagined!
My review.......2006-03-16
Essential reading for people who practice this spirituality.The author is a great story teller.
Great Book!.......2005-12-20
I live near and work on a reservation in SD. I wanted to read this book to understand the viewpionts my Native American friends better. The way Marshall is able to explain the virtues from a historical, traditional perspective and relate them to modern day is wonderful and easily understood. This is a great book!
Book Description
Crazy Horse was as much feared by tribal foes as he was honored by allies. His war record was unmatched by any of his peers, and his rout of Custer at the Little Bighorn reverberates through history. Yet so much about him is unknown or steeped in legend.
Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life corrects older, idealized accounts--and draws on a greater variety of sources than other recent biographies--to expose the real Crazy Horse: not the brash Sioux warrior we have come to expect but a modest, reflective man whose courage was anchored in Lakota piety. Kingsley M. Bray has plumbed interviews of Crazy Horse's contemporaries and consulted modern Lakotas to fill in vital details of Crazy Horse's inner and public life.
Bray places Crazy Horse within the rich context of the nineteenth-century Lakota world. He reassesses the war chief's achievements in numerous battles and retraces the tragic sequence of misunderstandings, betrayals, and misjudgments that led to his death. Bray also explores the private tragedies that marred Crazy Horse's childhood and the network of relationships that shaped his adult life.
To this day, Crazy Horse remains a compelling symbol of resistance for modern Lakotas. Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life is a singular achievement, scholarly and authoritative, offering a complete portrait of the man and a fuller understanding of his place in American Indian and United States history.
Customer Reviews:
Crazy about the book........2007-02-22
A thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully written and informative true story.
This book opened my eyes to the life and times of not only the Lakota Indians but to the hardships of the Native Americans in general.
A worthy first book by Kingsley Bray and I patiently wait for his next.
Not what I expected.......2007-01-04
As of this writing I have completed the first four chapters but wanted to put down my initial impressions. Sadly, I am somewhat disappointed. I was expecting the text to contain an analytical study of the life and times of Crazy Horse in which the author presented multiple views and reminiscences relating to Crazy Horse and tried to arrive at a reasonable conclusion. However, what the author has done is present unsubstantiated details as facts in the text and even tries to tell us what Crazy Horse was thinking during certain events. How can he know this? This is really what Mari Sandoz did, but updated with a lot more details added to the story.
Another example is in chapter 4. Bray supplies a quote and declares the speaker to be Man Afraid of His Horse. But in the footnote at the end of the book, he states that the quote came from an unidentified speaker, but in his opinion, it was Man Afraid. My opinion is, he should have written the words "perhaps spoken by Man Afraid of His Horse" in the text of the book. As it is, others will now quote Bray and follow his lead, until the speaker becomes Man Afraid in future books, with the "perhaps" being all but forgotten. Maybe I'm too sensitive to this, but it irks me.
Overall, this book is fun to read, but has not, at this point, met my expectations.
Update--
I have now finished the first 8 chapters.
At the close of chapter 6 Bray makes it clear he is suffering from hero worship when he writes: The career of the Lakota people's greatest warrior had begun.
Perhaps "one of the greatest" would have been more realistic.
On page 77 he states that the Lakota declared "open war" on the Americans [1864]. He goes on to state that it was a "major offensive." Further down the page we find that this "open war" and "major offensive" never amounted too much more than stealing stock and killing an occasional straggler. He should have put this entire episode into better perspective and pointed out that despite the big talk, their initiative was rather lacking and uncoordinated.
On p. 78 he states that the emigrants and militia were "trigger-happy." Well, after reading the preceding pages and understanding the danger then existing, this "negative" [as the author presents it] comes across as perfectly understandable. You'd have been "trigger-happy" too, under the same conditions, not knowing who was friend and who was foe.
Based on the above examples, Mr. Bray appears to be losing all objectivity. And considering the amount of work that he put into this book it is really too bad. I don't mean to sound too harsh. But this manuscript could have used some more editing and critiquing.
01-16-07
I have now finished the first 10 chapters. Bray likes to write things like "Crazy Horse's warriors," without explaining how he knows this. On pp. 113-114 he provides a quote by Louis Simonin (The Rocky Mountain West in 1867) and CREATES a scenario that involves Crazy Horse and Man Afraid of His Horse. He is certainly reading into it, as the original mentions neither man. This is called creative writing and there is LOTS OF IT in this book.
Another MAJOR complaint about this book is the author's failure to provide a chart to help the reader keep track of all the bands, leaders, and their relation to one another. It is almost impossible to follow unless you start writing it down yourself at the beginning. This is a major distraction. He just keeps throwing names (both bands and people) at the reader like it was nothing.
This book could have been a masterpiece and the last word on Crazy Horse. I think Bray should go back and rework the book.
A more appropriate title for this book is "Speculations on the Life of Crazy Horse."
2-1-07
I am not commenting on every detail of this book. But I frequently spot-check footnotes for accuracy. This exmaple is typical of this book and why this book crosses the line of history and novel (which is not how it is marketed): On p. 220 Bray quotes John G. Bourke (author of On the Border with Crook). Bourke, p. 415 (Bison Book edition), relates a very brief story about Crazy Horse and his participation in the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Bray takes this story and places it at a precise point in the battle and even supplies the scenario in which it occurred. None of this is alluded to in Bourke's account. Bray takes constant liberties with his source material. Creative, sure...but is it history or one man's imagination? This is very dangerous from an historical perspective. If this book was presented as a novel, it would be a great one and get 5 stars. But as it is, I can only give it 2.5 to 3. And the book is not user friendly. I don't like having to keep flipping to the back to read the footnotes. And I find all the Lakota political goings on quite impossible to follow. It actually comes off as rather snobbish.
3-1-07
It took a long time, but I finally finished this book. Bray is consistently overly wordy and this book could have been 100 pages shorter. Many of his paragraphs could have been condensed. Overall, it was a lousy editing job, assuming the book was read/edited at all.
Also, for some reason Bray fails to speak about why Crazy Horse was so obessesed with going on a buffalo hunt once on the reservation, as if this would set everything right in his life. It wasn't so important for the other leaders and headmen, but for Crazy Horse this was of MAJOR importance. Everything was riding on it. Bray fails to attempt to analyze this very obvious topic. Also, towards the end of the book there is a footnote where he says to see an old Chicago newspaper account for alternative details to Crazy Horse's death, as if this is such a simple thing to do. In a book that is already too long with repetitive sentence structure that only serves to bog down the reader, would it have mattered to include this bit of useful information?
Having said all that, this is the best book currently available on Crazy Horse, it's just not the best book that could have been written. Unfortunately, it will probably be a long time, if ever, that someone attempts to do this again.
Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life (Civilization of the American Indian).......2007-01-04
Worth the read for those who want depth on this subject. I would term it more a political history of the Great Sioux Nation than a biography of Crazy Horse although he is the central figure. Mr. Bray's research deserves great respect and reflects years of work. But the conclusions he reached from that research should be regarded as one perspective, and not the final word on the subject. There are some great differences of opinion in Indian Country on the genealogy presented here. Having said that, in terms of grasping an understanding of the subject matter I highly recommend it.
Satisfying insights not to be found elsewhere........2006-12-12
CRAZY HORSE: A LAKOTA LIFE provides a fine survey of the famous leader who has become an icon of Native resistance. What is less known is that he was feared by tribal foes as he was honored by his friends: this survey corrects idealizations of his nature and life and uses a rang of sources outside of the usual biographical world to reveal his personality. These other sources were interviews of his contemporaries and modern Lakotans alike, and provide satisfying insights not to be found elsewhere.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Customer Reviews:
Wastelo, Grandpa...Pilamiya.......2007-03-11
Well, it took quite a bit of courage to write this book at a time when there was so very much opposition to sharing the knowledge of Creator with us Waisichus (white eyed folks). In the way that only Wallace could speak...here in these pages he comes back to life as the Genius he truly was. He loved to tell people; "I am only a dumb Indian"...and then he'd laugh that laugh "Hee hee hee hee", knowing that he really had one up on all of us. If you read behind the lines, you'll learn something, really learn about Creator and the way things work on this Canka Luta Waste and behind that Canunpa. Enjoy this book....as this is one elder who has passed on and can never be replaced.
Review of Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota.......2006-08-29
Being interested in the wonderful subject of Native American thought and "religion" (spirituality), and having enjoyed other books of this genre, I was a "shoo in" to purchase this book. The personal quality and warmth of Wallace Black Elk pervades each page. He writes in the same vein as "Black Elk Speaks" and "Fools Crow, Medicine Man" but with a more modern, present day approach and color. This book should awake understanding of both past and present conditions of life for Native Americans. It is written in a simple and sincere manner and I recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about Indian thought and spiritual practices.
Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota.......2006-06-30
This book is a masterpiece of wisdom. It is a pattern for a way a life that can serve every human being upon their journey on this earth.
A wholesome approach to all life.......2005-11-12
I really enjoyed reading Wallace Black Elk's words because they pointed our many of the divisions we, especially of the Western cultures, make up. These divisions pull the world apart leaving the world a fragmented place in our senses. The world of this book is a little different than the world today, but it seems that Black Elk's words about the environment, the spirit, and the people of all nations (in which he includes all that is) are relevant to the fast-paced quasi-ignorant lives we live.
My first sweat lodge was with Wallace Black Elk.......2005-03-12
This was at Upland Hills Ecological Center deep in the woods northeast of the Detroit/Pontiac suburbs, sometime in the mid-80's. And I remember meeting there for the first time a wonderful fellow-traveler named Brooke Isberg.
Wallace gave a number of story-telling sessions/lectures, then at night was the sweat lodge. What was most notable - was that the effect of incredibly wholesome well-being and benign protection lasted well over a month - and something was planted that never ever left me. Numerous previous (and subsequent) weekend meditation, neo-pagan, medicine wheel and new-age retreats had the predictable outcome of making me feel incredibly good for 2-3 days afterwards, never much more than that (and then the 'work' would start). The same with various local ceremonies/rituals. And all that was fine, as cumulative effects did build up - obvious growth occurs - that's as it usually should be in the work.
I'm just saying that the work that week with Wallace was not in any sense the usual.
Over a period of many years, subsequent sweat lodge experiences with a variety of so-called 'leaders' (both native and Anglo-) paled in comparison. Wallace is truly the Grandfather; making each person feel thoroughly at home, more than even at your own home; well-mannered, humble and glowingly capable, he treated each of us as a valued and honored guest in his and the spirits' lodge, as it were. Without it being said as such, you felt you were being welcomed into the world. Wallace was/is thoroughly heart/breath, and is no way trapped inside his skin. So we felt less confined in yours.
Many of the other leaders I've met are so much into their own power and image, often twinged with too much machismo, exuding more politics than poetry. You just didn't feel much supported. Not so with Wallace. He is so strong to be able to be here in such a down-to-earth fashion, really buoyed by, and faultlessly representing Mother Earth, Great Spirit and the 4 Directions. With him we'd been given the inestimably fine opportunity to fall right in with it all.
Book Description
Since the tide of interest created by Black Elk Speaks over 70 years ago, Native American lineage holders have been cautious about sharing their spiritual truths to the reading public because the essence of this wisdom has been so often misunderstood. In Walking with Grandfather, authentic Lakota lineage holder and award-winning storyteller Joseph M. Marshall breaks this silence with the very best from a lifetime of lessons passed on to him by his grandfather. With him, readers gain access to the timeless teachings that until now remained largely unheard outside the culture of the Lakota people. Part of an unbroken series of narratives dating back countless centuries, this rare new transmission includes Marshall's rendition of legendary stories such as: • "The Way of Wolves"—important lessons about parenting • "The Shadow Man"—a story on war and the warrior within us all • "Follow Me"—reflections on leaders and leadership • "The Wisdom Within"—the passage of truly becoming an elder—plus many more stories found both in the book and in the author's own words on the accompanying audio CD.
"We believe that life's gift to us is wisdom," explains Joseph M. Marshall, "and that it is the one gift that must be given back." Join this master of traditional storytelling as he takes us through the rich oral history of the Lakota—and shows us how we can rediscover the invaluable wisdom of our elders.
Customer Reviews:
Marshall does it again!.......2007-08-28
Brilliant author with another fascinating piece of work! "Walking with Grandfather" is another example of how the dominant Euro-American culture is lacking its appreciation for the 'study of our ghosts.' Marshall provides a wonderful example of how we must reconnect to our history, our culture and our heritage. He is to be commended for a great book.
Superb Story Teller.......2007-06-07
I have now become a great fan of Joseph M. Marshall recently ordering other books as well as cd's. Even his written word, you can almost hear him speaking to you. A very easy way to learn about the Lakota traditions, its a pleasant journey.
Another great Joseph Marshall book!.......2007-05-15
In this book, Mr. Marshall takes the reader into a world of wisdom and insight, a world in which he passes along the lessons learned from Lakota elders, including his own grandparents. These stories and lessons are especially important in today's society, where "honor" and "respect" are becoming words with no meaning, and things are considered better just because they are new. Mr. Marshall writes in a way that makes you feel like he's talking to you, maybe around a campfire at the end of a summer day, and the stories he is telling should be taken to heart by every thinking person.
What a Peaceful Presence.......2007-01-14
Joseph Marshall speakes to a part of us that lies buried under the workings of modern society. I love his stories and wisdom teachings. They make me feel human.
Wisdom for Those Ready to Listen.......2007-01-10
Although I read almost everything that Joseph Marshall writes, I am always impressed by the ideas and stories that are presented in each new book. With a calm, confident, and loving voice, Mr. Marshall further discusses on CD many of the stories that are told in Walkin with Grandfather: The Wisdom of the Lakota Elders. The CD (included with the book) enhances the warmth of the narratation and lets the reader feel the genuine concern that the author feels for nature and humanity. Mr. Marshall discusses the idea of wisdom, how it is earned, and why it is important. He relates several Lakota stories that demonstrate these ideas. Like previous works by Mr. Marshall, this book focuses on balance: between nature and man, between pleasure and pain, between life and death. Although wisdom can't be taught, it can be discussed and appreciated. For those who understand the value of wisdom and respect it when they find it, this book will be a treasure. If you are ready to have an open mind, and ready to learn important lessons, this book is for you.
Average customer rating:
- A fast horse helps a young Lakota boy enter manhood
- A Moving, Gorgeous Book
- An ageless story of growing up.
|
Gift Horse: A Lakota Story
S. D. Nelson
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
1800s
| Fiction
| United States
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Action & Adventure
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Native North & South Americans
| Multicultural Stories
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Picture Books
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Star People: A Lakota Story
-
Crazy Horse's Vision
-
A Boy Called Slow (Paperstar Book)
-
The Earth under Sky Bear's Feet
-
Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back
ASIN: 0810941279 |
Customer Reviews:
A fast horse helps a young Lakota boy enter manhood.......2005-08-02
When he begins his journey to manhood, a young Lakota boy is given a Gift Horse by his father, who had brought some new horses back from a trading visit with the Cheyenne. Flying Cloud names the horse Storm and the two become the best of friends. Storm is so fast that the boy is named Flying Cloud by the people. The two play games together and when Flying Cloud becomes lost in a raging prairie blizzard it is Storm that gets him home. Most of this story tells of not only the adventures of Flying Cloud and Storm, but also of what it was like for a young Lakota boy preparing to enter manhood. The climax of the story comes when a group of Crow, the enemies of the Lakota, steal most of the horses from Flying Cloud's tribe, including Storm.
S. D. Nelson is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in the Dakotas, and Flying Cloud was the name of his great-great grandfather. In an extensive Author's Note in the back of "Gift Horse," Nelson explains about the history of the Lakota (including how history books ended up calling them the Sioux instead) and focuses on the importance of horses in the culture of the Plains Indians and the rite of passage by which a Lakota boy entered manhood. For young readers who are interesting in finding out more about these subjects, Nelson gives them plenty to look over before they go on to other books or start searching the Internet.
The colorful artwork is done in acrylic paint on a wood panel and is based on the ledger book drawings done by Plains Indian artists done between 1865 and 1935. The bold illustrations will capture the attention of young readers, but the story is impressive as well, especially in terms of how it depicts the life of a young Lakota boy. "Gift Horse" is Nelson's first children's book and since this came out in 1999 he has added "The Star People: A Lakota Story." He has also illustrated other children's book as well, most notably "Crazy Horse's Visions" and "Jim Thorpe's Brightest Path."
A Moving, Gorgeous Book.......2004-04-26
This is a beautifully told and illustrated story inspired by the author's great-great grandfather, a Lakota Indian named Flying Cloud. In the story, Flying Cloud earns his name from the way he stirs up dust as he flies across the Plains on Storm, his horse. The relationship between boy and horse inspires several adventures: they get lost in a storm, they hunt buffalo, and when Storm is stolen by Crow horse thieves, Flying Cloud must rescue her. But this is more than the story of a boy and his horse. Nelson also concentrates on Flying Cloud's desire to prove himself and become a great Lakota Warrior. Different aspects of the lifestyle of Plains Indians are depicted, including the buffalo hunt, the sweat lodge, and the vision quest. The illustrations are particularly beautiful, and the writing is both spare and poetic. Highly recommended!
An ageless story of growing up........2000-04-17
S.D. Nelson's book The Gift Horse is a beautiful story of a young boy's coming of age. The story teaches values of becoming a man that include all nationalities. The illistrations are breath taking. The colors are vibrant and alive. Drawn in the traditional style supports the traditional way of the Native Americans. A new book is Crazy Horse, the Legend
Book Description
Most of the world remembers Crazy Horse as a peerless warrior who brought the U.S. Army to its knees at the Battle of Little Bighorn. But to his fellow Lakota Indians, he was a dutiful son and humble fighting man who—with valor, spirit, respect, and unparalleled leadership—fought for his peopleÂ's land, livelihood, and honor. In this fascinating biography, Joseph Marshall, himself a Lakota Indian, creates a vibrant portrait of the man, his times, and his legacy.
Drawing on firsthand research and his cultureÂ's rich oral tradition (rarely shared outside the Native American community), Marshall reveals many aspects of Crazy HorseÂ's life, including details of the powerful vision that convinced him of his duty to help preserve the Lakota homeland—a vision that changed the course of Crazy HorseÂ's life and spurred him confidently into battle time and time again.
The Journey of Crazy Horse is the true story of how one manÂ's fight for his peopleÂ's survival roused his true genius as a strategist, commander, and trusted leader. And it is an unforgettable portrayal of a revered human being and a profound celebration of a culture, a community, and an enduring way of life.
Customer Reviews:
Crazy Horse comes to life!.......2007-10-08
As a history instructor at a junior college, I highly commend Mr. Marshall for his first class work on the esteemed Crazy Horse. Based on the centuries-old tradition of oral history that is passed down from one generation to the next, Marshall relies on the many traditions of his youth and adulthood.
He has created a work that goes far beyond the idolization of heroes of the past. He presents Crazy Horse as the magnificent leader of his day but the author also tells of a mortal human being with strengths and weaknesses, as all leaders have been throughout history.
Marshall takes us to a time and place in our minds that is both vivid and revealing. The author has written a masterpiece, providing maps and an index explaining the various names given by the Lakota of the months and how they coincide with the Eurocentric definition of the calendar year. This was most helpful.
Marshall closes his book with a very moving story that I hope is not lost on American Indian readers of his book. The insights of his last chapter are so needed today.
"The Journey of Crazy Horse is the fourth book by Marshall that I have read and his works are gems. I highly recommend any and all of Marshall's books and I plan to continue reading his entire collection of works. He is a superb writer and captures the reader. He was also featured in the film productions "How the West was Lost" and the PBS special "The Native Americans."
Mr. Marshall, never put that pen down!
Too lacking in analysis and references .......2007-09-03
This book is too lacking in the analysis of Crazy Horse's political and military strategy, it lacks references (its prime source is Indian word-of-mouth) and it is too much an hagiography. Nevertheless a decent introduction to the man and, much more importantly, his predicament.
THE JOURNEY OF A GREAT MAN ! (the life, loves, and battles of Crazy Horse).......2007-08-27
The Journey Of Crazy Horse (2005) is a biography/history of the Lakota Sioux legend, from the perspective of a Lakota Sioux historian and storyteller. Joseph M. Marshall III was raised on a Sioux Indian reservation and Lakota is his first language. He has collected an oral history passed from Lakota generation to Lakota generation, and combined that history with his own research on this fascinating, but reticent warrior, to give us a personal look at a man who has been a symbol of pride and excellance for generations of Native Americans. It's all here, from his lively and free boyhood days in the North American plains to the Battle Of The Little Big Horn and his eventual capture and death at the end of a soldier's bayonet. Light Hair, as he was originally known (he later took the name Crazy Horse, also his father's name) was a man who lived with a wounded heart. He had lost his birth mother as a young child, and the love of his life, Black Buffalo Woman, was politically influenced into marrying another, who she eventually left for Crazy Horse, but returned to the marriage when violence erupted over the matter. As the white man advanced from the east, and made his way into Sioux territory, some of the Indians exchanged their way of life for "land", cattle, and other goods that were offered to them. Crazy Horse would have nothing to do with it, and resisted that comprimise right up to the very end of his life. Revered by his own people and the whites as a great and courageous warrior, his humility and compassion were also legendary. With colorful images and authentic emotional narrative, The Journey Of Crazy Horse reads like a historical novel, but also provides an education in the the life of this remarkable 19th century Lakota Sioux warrior and his people, as they bravely fought to maintain their way of life. A book everyone should read.
A great biography.......2007-05-15
Mr. Marshall's history of Crazy Horse and the upheavals in the Lakota culture make for a spell-binding book. It is very interesting to view history from a Lakota perspective, as opposed to the white-written history books many of us were force-fed in school. The people who lived on the plains in the 1800's were not the "savage and untamed" monsters depicted in many history books, just as the white forefathers (Washington, Jefferson, etc.) were not the "holy saints" they were portrayed as being. Mr. Marshall shows how words can be twisted to suit an agenda; Indians killing white soldiers in battle was called a "massacre," while white soldiers killing women and children in cold blood was called a "great victory." Indians defending their land and way of life were said to be "uprising," while whites invading the Indian lands were said to be "taming the wilderness." Be prepared to have your eyes opened as you read this well-written and fascinating book!
WORDS CANNOT TELL HOW GOOD THIS IS.......2007-04-23
I don't listen to books on CDs preferring to read the book; but in this case my local library had only the CDs. Not only am I enjoying this book via CDs but I've ordered the hardcover copy for my home library.
To listen to this author read his own work is almost a magnetic experience: one is just drawn to what he has to say and the manner with which he says it.
I've read on the 'west' for years and have always wanted to hear the Indian viewpoint of many matters and can now do that. My major in college was anthropology and I have always felt the oral traditions from the plain's people offer a much closer truth than many of our own historians have either sought or achieved.
This is an excellant example of not only the truth of Crazy Horse but a collective insight into the Lakota people themselves. Just an excellent work deserving of all awards it may garner.
Semper Fi.
Book Description
In this biography, Gary Anderson chronicles of life of the renowned victor of the Battle of Little Big Horn, legendary Lakota Chief Sitting Bull.
For many decades, historians have chalked up the results of Little Big Horn to Colonel’s Custer’s faulty strategy of attack, and remember Sitting Bull as the lame duck leader who triumphed only because of Custer’s mishap. Gary Clayton Anderson, in this riveting biography, reveals a new interpretation of this crucial conflict on the high plains.
Sitting Bull and the Paradox of Lakota Nationhood puts the Battle of Little Big Horn in the context of the successes of the Lakota Nation, and the life of Sitting Bull himself. The new Study and Discussion Questions extend the text to facilitate discussions in the classroom or in student study groups.
Lakota Nation,
buffalo, Crazy Horse, Little Big Horn, Indian Leadership, Four Horns, James McLaughlin, Red Cloud, Standing Rock Agency, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer.
Readers interested in learning about the life and times of Sitting Bull.
Customer Reviews:
mandatory reading.......2007-03-08
Great book for the class I am taking. Not sure I would have ever read it since I am not a cowboys and indian buff.
Average customer rating:
|
Songs and dances of the Lakota
Ben Black Bear
Manufacturer: North Plains Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
General
| Instruments & Performers
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Native American
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
North Dakota
| State & Local
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
South Dakota
| State & Local
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B000734OZ2 |
Customer Reviews:
Enchanting.......2004-04-21
I am enchanted with this book, one of the most exquisite books I have seen in a long time. The Lakota way is a simple but universal way of living. It is a book I want to share with many.
I was blessed to share so many lakota traditions and even though I don't practice those traditions any more I have them in my heart.
This book just brought so many memories.
A Lakota Worldview.......2003-01-20
There is a joke that one often hears when traveling within Native circles. The joke asks what is the average size of a Native Family? The answer is five, a father, a mother, a son and daughter and one anthropologist. It has been written that Native Americans are the most studied but least understood people on the Earth. Native author Michael Dorris states this thought in a more direct way. He writes that Native Americans are the most lied about people on the face of the planet. Much of this discontent with the written record about Native Peoples is due to the fact that much of this record has been recorded by Non-Native people and thus passed through a cultural filter that distorts the reality of Native experience and tradition. "Standing in the Light, a Lakota Way of Seeing," is a collaborative effort by the authors Severt Young Bear Sr. and Dr. Ronnie Theisz to record an account of the world view of the Lakota people that was written from the viewpoint and understanding of a person that has lived his life within the traditional culture of the Lakota People. Severt Young Bear Sr. was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1934 and lived his life in the traditional community of Porcupine, SD. In his life he was a rancher, a ranger, a tribal councilman, a singer with and drum keeper of the acclaimed Porcupine Singers that appeared in the movies "Dances With Wolves, " and "Thunderheart," an instructor at Oglala Lakota College, and founder of International Brotherhood Days, a cross cultural forum that is held the second week of July each year at the Young Bear dance grounds just outside Porcupine, SD.. This book is a rare look from the inside of Lakota culture from one that lived within that context. The work touches on the past of the Lakota People, and focusses on the importance of traditions of the culture to the survival and identity of the Lakota Nation. As a self-styled student of Lakota culture I value this book as one of the most relavant books in my collection. Highly recommended. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Inside Lakota Culture.......2002-12-25
"Standing in the Light: A Lakota Way of Seeing" is a print version of conversations between R.D. Theisz, a college professor, and Severt Young Bear, a Lakota singer, historian, and cultural traditionalist. "Standing in the Light" is a cornucopia of cultural information about the Lakota people. The book begins with a discussion about Severt Young Bear's relatives and ancestors, followed by a very brief history of the Sioux people. Unfortunately, the book went to press about the time Severt Young Bear died, in 1993.
"Standing in the Light" has four parts. The first section deals with names in Indian culture. According to Severt, names are of central importance in Lakota culture. Young Bear explains how the people received their names and what names mean in Lakota (his own Lakota name is Hehaka Luzahan, or Swift Elk). Agency officials anglicized Lakota names in the 1880's for a census on the reservation and then applied these names to descendents in perpetuity. This bothers Severt because it means descendents in his family do not earn their name, an important part of the Lakota life process. "Young Bear" comes from Severt's grandfather, who received the name to reflect his accomplishments in battle; he was a fearless warrior who fought like a bear when cornered. The name "Severt" comes from his father's war experience, when Severt's father befriended a Swede and promised the man to name his son after him.
The second part of the book discusses oral traditions in Lakota culture. There are some great stories in this section, like the story about Sio Paha (translated as the Medicine Hill). This place received the name Medicine Hill because in prereservation days it was the site of a test between powerful medicine men. The medicine men would practice their magic on each other in order to discover who had the most powerful medicine. Whenever a man was felled by magic, he was out of the contest. Severt discusses one contest where a heyoka (a sacred clown, or someone whose role in the tribe was to make fun of everyone else) won by practicing medicine he learned from the bumblebee. There are more stories in this section, all of which are fascinating and informative.
The third section covers Severt's career as a musician and his days as a member of the Porcupine Singers, a Lakota drum group who toured powwows and other important Indian gatherings. There are all types of songs in the Lakota world, from honoring songs to dancing and social songs. Many of the social songs helped Indians get together back in the days when the government frowned on Indian gatherings. The Rabbit dance is a good example of a social song. Rabbit songs are quite simple lyrically, but young people used to gather in someone's house to dance to these songs. Of course, all these musical gatherings required musicians, and this is where Severt brings in the importance of the drum and its role in creating and expressing the music. He also discusses how life on the road for the successful Indian musician is just as stressful as it is for any type of musician: egos get large, cars break down, and arguments over money usually ensue.
The final section of the book is Severt's examination of what is wrong with Lakota society. Young Bear turns out to be quite conservative as he discusses the problems of the reservation world. His arguments for a return to personal responsibility, a healthy diet, respect for the elders, and responsible childrearing not only have lessons for Lakotas, but also are important for all cultures. Severt's involvement in the American Indian Movement (AIM) and its stand at Wounded Knee in the 1970's, covered in some depth in the book, further highlights his concern for cultural issues.
At the end of the book, Severt sums up his reasons for agreeing to create this book. Severt believes every powwow or gathering of Indians has four circles. The first circle is the one in which Indians are dancing and taking part in their culture. As the circles move outwards, one finds Indians who are not as aware of the cultural activities going on in the first circle. The last circle, the circle on the farthest reaches of the gathering, holds the lost Indians, those who are afraid of learning about their culture and so lose themselves in drugs, loose sex, or alcohol. Severt wants to bring all of the other circles into the first circle, into the "light," so all the Lakotas may partake in their culture.
"Standing in the Light" is a powerful statement. For those who wish to learn about Indian culture, look no further than this book. I am surprised there are not more reviews of this amazing survey of Lakota cultural ideas.
The "Real" culture.......2002-10-28
Beyond feathers and bells, "Standing in the Light" gives non-Native people a glimpse some of the real culture and values of the Lakota people. What values are held in high esteem, and how do they work in the everyday life of the people, are just a few of the answers given. Long overdue for those seeking to learn the culture beyond the feathers and bells of a Powwow.
Books:
- Life With an Indian Prince: By Archives of American Falconry
- Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
- Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
- Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavor (Arts and Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History)
- Mr. Tucket (Francis Tucket Books)
- My Book of Telling Time: Learning About Minutes (Kumon Workbooks)
- My Brother's Road: An American's Fateful Journey to Armenia
- Nothing But The Truth: A Documentary Novel
- Obsession (Alex Delaware Novels)
- One Woman One Vote: Rediscovering the Woman Suffrage Movement
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Fallen Angels and the Origins of Evil: Why Church Fathers Suppressed the Book of Enoch and Its Start
- The Still of Night
- Metallothionein in Biology and Medicine
- MATLAB for Engineers Explained
- Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe
- The Threshing Floor: How to Know Without a Doubt that God Hears Your Every Prayer
- The Friesian Horse
- Matisse Portrait Drawings: 45 Plates
- Manufactured Sites: Re-thinking the Post-industrial Landscape
- Bonsai Design: Deciduous and Coniferous Trees
