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Loading... Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux (1932)by John G. Neihardt, Black Elk (Author), John G. Neihardt
None. So I realized I'd heard about this book for many years but never read it--there it was in the free books box at a local used book store, so I took it and read it. I found it an engrossing read, but mostly a moving personal witness by a man who felt, at the end of his life, that he had been given a calling and had failed to carry it out. Sounds depressing, but it isn't. ( )A very impressive and interesting literary accomplishment, especially given the technological, logistical, and societal constraints present when the original manuscript was published. During many chapters I felt like I was riding along on Black Elk's sorrel listening to him describe his visions--at least until the academic footnotes/annotations in this edition intruded. I believe the lovely illustrations found in the back of the text would have also been much more powerful if they were incorporated into the chapters they depicted. While this book was originally published in the 1930's, it still holds tremendous value for today's readers--recommend. A spiritually powerful book that is as much a testament to Nebraskan John Neihardt's skill as a writer as it is Black Elk's virtuous execution of the oral storytelling tradition. Relating the story of his life, Black Elk takes the reader inside his faith and opens a window to the belief system of his people. On a broader scale, we see the clash of two civilizations in its last stages and it's plain to see the winner wasn't necessarily the better. A sad story, beautifully told and a must read for every American. 1597 Despite the debate over the exact accuracy of this book, its still a nice read. no reviews | add a review Has the adaptation
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