©1970 Dee Brown; Preface 2000 by Dee Brown; (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
"Original, remarkable, and finally heartbreaking....Impossible to put down." (New York Times)
"Shattering, appalling, compelling....One wonders...who indeed were the savages." (Washington Post)
"A wrenching introduction to this history."
Having never read the print version, I couldn't say.
I wouldn't change anything.
It's a compassionate and sympathetic reading. Like all audiobooks it can really express that 3rd or 1st person narrative in a way that reading print does not. There's less projection of the reader into the text.
I did not have an extreme reaction.
If a person is unfamiliar with the history of Native Americans and their relationship with the first generations of European settlers, this book is an absolute must-read. It is a history of peoples and societies utterly rent from lands lived upon for thousands of years, by a wholly alien invasion. It is sympathetic to aboriginal Americans, but certainly not unfair to the Europeans whose ingress unto the American continent meant the end of an epoch.
Those familiar with the history of Native American and early Europeans may find this book dated, and overly simplistic. Much progress has been made in telling the story of Native Americans since Brown published this book in 1970, but this criticism is really the ultimate compliment to an author and book that set a standard for examining US history with deep scrutiny, while challenging readers and fellow historians to dig deeper. In subsequent years, the body of literature about these topics has expanded exponentially and some of Browns most controversial theses are now accepted wildly, if not universally, but those who engage regularly with the problem of US History.
"Great factual account, albeit a bit repetitive"
Top 10%
Black Kettle's forthright position, and his subsequent betrayal.
The book is a fine work. Although it feels like repetition in the accounts of the U.S. Army massacres, I suppose there is no other way to drive the point home in a brutally frank manner - the repetition in the book exists because the repetition in history exists - the
"History from a Native perspective"
I've read this book twice so when I saw it in Audible I jumped at it. It did not disappoint for my third go around. Very engaging yet sad as to how we treated the Native peoples.
"A classic in every sense of the word..."
Dee Brown has written some other quality books, but he would deserve a reputation as one of the more readable historians on America's 19th century even if he had never written another word. A true classic, the perspective of which was long overdue when it appeared, this book was as moving for me this year - expertly narrated by Grover Gardner - as it was years ago when I first read it for myself. The shameful treatment of native-American tribes by officials of the federal government at the highest levels, and by the military, should be impossible for any decent person to defend - if considered from the native side. No one has ever presented that side as well as Brown. His research is wide-ranging and his writing is effective. This book is a true paradigm-shifter. No one with an interest in U.S. history should fail to read or hear it.
"It's a sad, well written story."
It's the same cycle over and over again. So sad...
Very good book, I recommend it.
Audio-addict!!
"Most important American History book ever written."
If I had to pick one book that every human being should read, this is it!
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is beautifully written. The book isn't centered around Wounded Knee, instead it tells the painful history of the many Native American tribes during our nation's early years.
The author does an OUTSTANDING job of using the words of the native Americans themselves, thus giving them a voice that is seldom heard! I must admit that my pride in my country has been lessened by reading this book. The broken promises, lies and greed of the founders of our nation is devastating. The absurd ideology of Manifest Destiny demonstrates a nation of tremendous greed and unjust entitlement. In the end, our policies and treatment of the native Americans amounted to centuries of persecution and mass ethnic-cleansing,
Please don't let my opinion of the events shade the book itself!! Brown doesn't overdramatize the events and stories in the book. This book isn't an opinion piece or editorial. The writing style is very straightforward and fact-oriented. That is what makes it so powerful and important. The events and stories speak for themselves. There were good and bad on both sides. This book provides historical context and perspective.
Exceptional audio performance. This is an award worthy performance for the great Grover Gardner!
The saddest thing is that it doesn't feel like the policies and treatment of Native Americans have changed much. We fought to the death for the abolition of slavery and civil rights of black Americans and women. Why didn't we fight for Native American rights as well? Why are native Americans treated differently?
I'm very thankful that I listened to this book. I wish there were more books about native Americans and their circumstances up to the present day.
An avid reader, who also loves to listen.
"So Sad"
Great book, even better book for those who enjoy learning about American history and even better for those who are interested in learning about how the Natives were raped, slaughtered and had their land stolen from them. I especially enjoyed how each chapter began with a brief time line of what was going on in terms of history and curent events during those specific years that the book is discussing. Excellent narrator too! He did a great job in reading this book and captivated the listener. There was so much great information in this book, I will definitely need to listen to it again just to try to digest everything.
"Couldn't finish!"
It sounds like the narrator is on fast forward! Very unpleasant to listen to!
"Touching"
I never knew what really happened to the Indians when they encountered the White man. They sure took it hard from the Military. I will be listening to this story again.
"Many nights sleep lost due to great book"
40 years after being written, it is still very relavant, and helpful to gain a historical perspective that is not commonly discussed in the mainstream. The book was well written, well read, and very specific, rather than having a pan-American Indian style of generalizing.
This book is full of many real life heroes, why pick only one.
NA
Many.
I have had this book on my wish list of reads for years, and even bought a couple copies but never got around to it (as I don't have much time to sit down and read), but thanks to it being available on audiobook, I have finally listened to it, and was not dissapointed at all. I lost many nights sleep due to not being able to "put it down" (what is the listening version to that term?). I have no doubt that I will re-read/listen to this book a few more times in my life.