My Place Among Them

By: J. Stanion

Narrated by: Charles Conover, Sean "Dr C" Cordry

Found alive after the massacre at Wounded Knee, twelve-year-old John Iron Horse is determined not to end up like so many others of his people. Then he learns the motto of the school he's required to attend: "Kill the Indian, save the man."

Carter Heath teaches in the government-run educational system and knows there's more to his position than what's happening in his classroom. He'll soon learn that in bureaucracy, politics, money, and ulterior motives are always intertwined.

Can the bond between an extraordinary student and a dedicated teacher survive in a world that pits red man against white?

©2023 J. Stanion (P)2023 J. Stanion

Powerful

Surviving Wounded Knee was no small feat for John Iron Horse but now he has to survive the American government-run education system implemented and supported on reservations where he is taught “Kill the Indian, save the man.” We hear John Iron Horse’s story as well as others as they face and try to overcome bureaucracy, politics, hidden motives, and more.
The author, J. Stanion delineates both the official and unofficial aspects of life within the reservation and the government-run education system. The repeated attempts to silence and prevent American Indians from reaching their potential and more.

The special bond of relationships are tested repeatedly – teacher/student, husband/wife, son/mother, etc. The instances of bigotry and racism are thoughtfully portrayed. Stanion uses powerful imagery to reveal these instances not to incite immediate anger but rather to educate and provide a more comprehensive perspective. His writing style flows smoothly and while there are climatic moments, it is handled not to create sensationalism but rather to tell his story which he does so skillfully!

The narrators, Charles Conover, Sean “Dr C” Cordry provide strong voices as they each slip into the narrative effortlessly. They speak clearly and concisely communicating emotions, frustrations, doubts, and more efficiently and effectively.

I have always been fascinated with this piece of American history and have always wondered why and how it was allowed to happen, My Place Among Them provides insight and motivations that allowed it to happen.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

How much has not changed

This was a great book so much to learn from it! Sad to know not much has changed. Life back the though simple, was very complicated! However they did have there ways and did not conform, but did do the best of what there were given. Highly recommend.