Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

An Indian History of the American West

By: Dee Brown

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Dee Brown's eloquent, meticulously documented account of the systematic destruction of the American Indian during the second half of the 19th century uses council records, autobiographies, and firsthand descriptions. Brown allows great chiefs and warriors of the Dakota, Ute, Sioux, Cheyenne, and other tribes to tell us in their own words of the battles, massacres, and broken treaties that finally left them demoralized and defeated. A unique and disturbing narrative told with force and clarity, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee changed forever our vision of how the West was really won - and lost.

©1970 Dee Brown; Preface 2000 by Dee Brown (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Original, remarkable, and finally heartbreaking....Impossible to put down." ( New York Times)
"Shattering, appalling, compelling....One wonders...who indeed were the savages." ( Washington Post)

Dismissal of life is scary

It is hard to believe that people can be so removed from empathy, respect and kindness. As Simone de Beauvoir writes of Pizarro, "the adventurer shares the nihilist's contempt for men" The adventurer will destroy man leading to unethical behavior. In companies and governments, changes of personnel develop a sort of immunity of each person insofar as taking responsibility for actions. The compendium of governors, senators, majors, generals, soldiers, Presidents who took varying degree of responsibility for human lives that are "different" is no different today .. except perhaps in some degree - I am sure in the US, Latinos, African Americans can recount similar legal and ethical misappropriations. Abroad the histories of Imperialists or Communists or authoritarians are often no better.

I find as new leaders change directions every year-4 there are so many changes we each have to deal with .. and for many of us we are disrespected. People who can't read or write English in the US makes this worse. We all feel "others" get in our way but when we know we can treat others as cobwebs that can be moved aside even when there is brilliant life there.

The book is well written, brilliantly develops an empathy that crosses generations and will change each reader forever.. as it should. As tough as this is to read, clearly it is important for all people to appreciate the lives involved and how we can learn from this. Racism and bullying and taking advantage of others will always exist, but we all know that each nuance of our lives, words and actions are impactful. We all need to do better and expect better from our leaders.

Required reading

This was a great book perfect for history buffs who love the full picture.

Wonderfully Heartbreaking

I loved this book. it broke my heart and brought me to years several times. The narrator is incredible.

extremely moving!

being of a Californian tribal association my self, i can say that public education fails the American people by not making this book and its contents an obligatory course.

As impactful in 2020 as in 1970....

First read this 45 years ago. Reading it again, it is litany of tactics to strip the Native American trips of their land and livelihood, much in the same way that Black Americans were treated during the same time frame. And we are still (not) dealing with the consequences today in 2020.

An absolute MUST READ for human beings

Loved the book. A detailed account of Native American history. An absolute must read for human beings.

One of the best ...

...books I've ever read (listened to). The most comprehensive overview of Indian history that I've found - very detailed and informative, but at no point did I find the story to drag. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and highly recommend.

A Must Read.

Amazing, I had watched the movie adaptation it was good. this is great, very detailed made me feel like I was back in Minnesota I have lived in Mankato, New Ulm, and Hutchinson. fair warning this book is very graphic. the narrator does an excellent job.

SAD

The truth is hard to hear!
We, as a country, should be ashamed. Our school books need to be updated to teach the truth.

Very sad story

It is really tough to get through this book as the story is so sad. Proud independent tribes of Indians betrayed and destroyed by the white mans greed. I was very impressed how thoughtful and intelligent the native tribes were. Their lives were simple. In harmony with nature but incompatible with the white mans colonization of their land. Death and destruction was universally applied.