I found this book well written, engagingly presented, and to my understanding a more authentic portrayal of the Nez Percé flight than I've come acrossI found this book well written, engagingly presented, and to my understanding a more authentic portrayal of the Nez Percé flight than I've come across in Western culture history. There is much more to this story than many know, and it varies revealingly from the misinformation many have been exposed to.
“Success, like war and like charity in religion, covers a multitude of sins.” ~ Sir Charles Napier...more
A well-written, engrossing, and evocative tale with the characters, settings, and moods vividly evident, but a bit more wordiness and similes than I nA well-written, engrossing, and evocative tale with the characters, settings, and moods vividly evident, but a bit more wordiness and similes than I needed to visualize the story.
Evocative to me, at least because I'm nigh on to that point, but I'd think engrossing and emotive to a larger audience. There is also the contrasting of characters for the pensive reader.
The story ... well you might say it's about the circumstances life throws at us and how in varying ways we get through them as we move on. Some things we never get over, and others are easier set aside. The gist of the story is as good or better than others along this line I've read, and the natural settings, realistic behaviors, and questioning appealed to me.
The story also exemplifies the value of listening and observing, as opposed to rattling on half baked, which in my younger days I was guilty of ;-)
“The old man always said people waste a lot air talkin’ about nothin’.” Seems to me a lot of writing mirrors that, but there is still some good, even needful, reading to be found such as this book....more
This story is an interplay of generations in interconnecting circles, presented in a kaleidoscope fashion of conflicting cultures and individual perceThis story is an interplay of generations in interconnecting circles, presented in a kaleidoscope fashion of conflicting cultures and individual perceptions — those of prejudices, zealots, scoundrels, weirdness, well-meaning, and naïveté — with truths waiting in the wings to come out. Along the way are insights into the deceptiveness of human subjectivity, both uplifting and woeful. Altogether, the reading experience is paradoxical escapism into the reality of the conflicted human condition.
Maybe I'm sensitive to the human condition context, but I found Louise Erdrich's writing herein oddly compelling....more
I found this well conceived and well written storyline exceptional and engrossing, with enough different characters and connected threads to keep a reI found this well conceived and well written storyline exceptional and engrossing, with enough different characters and connected threads to keep a reader attentive, or a lazy reader annoyed. A story both inspiring and poignant, with a bonus in conveying much more than the printed words with insights to spare.
“Used to be it was hard to live and easy to die. Not anymore. Nowadays it was the other way around. ”
“Wasn’t it enough, Keb wondered, to feel the wind in your face, to drink the rain and pet a friendly dog and know the softness of a woman’s thigh? Wasn’t it enough to hear a wolf howl, to build a morning fire in the kitchen cookstove, to taste the first nagoonberry pie of summer, to carve a spoon from alder? Wasn’t it enough to feel the tide run beneath your boat, a boat you built with hand tools and great heart?”
“More and more though, men died in the wreckage of their own lives, shadowed by false prophets, lost in the thumping, grinding world those same men created for reasons that didn’t seem reasonable anymore. ”
“. . . we like someone because; we love someone although.”
“. . . when men set out to destroy each other, the first victim was always the same: truth.”
“Old Keb figured that if a greedy man could put his money where his mouth is, stuff it all in there, then he couldn’t talk anymore and that would be a good thing . . . men that are often wrong but never in doubt.”
“ . . . the hardest thing when you’re digging yourself into a hole is to stop digging.”
“You don’t have to master nature. You only have to master yourself.”
“ . . . the best revenge is the one not taken.”
And the eco-lit aspect has teeth.
“Highly regarded scientists see the natural world failing everywhere, and at nobody’s peril more than our own,” Kate said. “If we pass any single tipping point beyond all mitigating strategies, we’ll never again have the bountiful world we once did. When I was a little girl watching TV, I rooted for the Indians, not the cowboys. I never liked Scarlett O’Hara on her big plantation, or Clint Eastwood with his big gun. This legal case isn’t anti-Native. It’s about big business buying whatever it wants, including our own government, and destroying the natural world. Well, guess what? We’re part of that natural world. ”
“Everything was bigger these days, except open space. . . . The greatest gift we can leave this world is the forest and the sea the way we found it, separate and the same, the oldest home of all, older and more beautiful than all the things industrious people pride themselves in building.”
“Men talk about change, how everything must change, how it’s inevitable, and so they bring about change with their own greed, seeing only what they want to see. But do they themselves ever change? These men?”
“The world is not ours to be mastered, only cared for.”
And so much more for those that have a heart of natural world wonderment. To those that don't yet but have an open mind, maybe this will nudge some enlightenment....more
It seems reactions to this book are all over the place. To me, the accomplished writing and layers of meaning coalesced in exceptional storytelling anIt seems reactions to this book are all over the place. To me, the accomplished writing and layers of meaning coalesced in exceptional storytelling and character portrayal, keeping me engrossed which occurs infrequently. I would equate the story to one of humankind's all to obvious self-inflicted diminishment, with maybe a hope of improvement in an evolutionary remake. In any case, it is a welcome departure in literary eco-fiction.
PS: This book impressed me in the realistic portrayal of the characters and their interactions, but there is another aspect of this story that annoyed me. Natural selection is a cumulative process so slow that change takes between tens of thousands to millions of years to complete, and there are overlapping natural selection processes in play that may affect outcomes....more
Umm, this was a strange one, interesting enough to keep me reading.
Basically, it is a circular story of a Haisla girl coming of age, intertwined with Umm, this was a strange one, interesting enough to keep me reading.
Basically, it is a circular story of a Haisla girl coming of age, intertwined with a passing of age.
You'll find in it what I thought well executed youthful angst, rebelliousness, impetuousness, and naïveness, portrayed with imagination bordering on bizarre because life can be perplexingly boring.
Any more than that I'll leave you to ponder in reading the book....more
Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition by John G. Neihardt
Black Elk Speaks is arguably the single most widely read book in the literature relating to Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition by John G. Neihardt
Black Elk Speaks is arguably the single most widely read book in the literature relating to North American Native history. To better understand ourselves, it is a book that everyone with a modicum of conscience should read. It is also a treasure trove for research.
I'm at the point in life where there is little else to linger for save yesterday. This book took me there in spades.
"It is the story of all life that is holy and is good to tell, and of us two-leggeds sharing in it with the four-leggeds and the wings of the air and all green things; for these are children of one mother and their father is one Spirit." ~ Black Elk
This is a story from the perspective of indigenous beliefs, born of how they perceived the natural world they had an intimate relationship with. A people with deep respect for the unknowable, that knew well the brightness and darkness inherent in the psyche of all life forms, and that understood the connectedness of all life. That in sharp contrast to so-called civilized peoples that plunder our little blue canoe, blindly driving nails in humankind's coffin.
“A savage is not the one who lives in the forest but the one who destroys it.” ~ unknown
Uppermost though, it is the story of a people that were self-sacrificing for the good of all, that only wanted to live with Nature as they always had, even on what little was left them in treaties. The obstacles were overwhelming though, with the greed of the weedy materialistic culture wanting all there was, and having no respect for the natural world. It is an age old story of avarice and genocide, this genocide the greatest by far in humankind's history [see Genocide of indigenous peoples, and Genocides in history articles on Wikipedia], estimated at upwards of ninety percent of the Indigenous population. According to geographers from University College London, the colonization of the Americas by Europeans killed so many people it resulted in climate change and global cooling.
And yes, in the telling there is much bloodshed and many died, because the colonialists' materialistic culture was relentless in taking all they lusted for irregardless of treaties. How could there be any saving grace in what was done to Native Americans, with the colonialists employing massacres of women and children, biological warfare (intentionally spreading the infectious diseases they brought with them), starvation (the last survivors of the northern buffalo herds were killed off in 1881), slavery, and ethnocide (e.g. the resident school system). One abhorrent example of the massacres, is in a latter chapter where Black Elk recounts what he saw first hand at Wounded Knee.
"Wherever we went, the soldiers came to kill us, and it was all our own country. It was ours already when the Wasichus [white people] made the treaty with Red Cloud, that said it would be ours as long as grass should grow and water flow." ~ Black Elk
“Everyone believes in the atrocities of the enemy and disbelieves in those of his own side.” ~ George Orwell
Notice in Black Elk's recounting that these peoples' rituals commonly included an element of giving to those that had the least. For example, in one instance in preparing for a ceremony a holy man would find a holy tree for the dance, and a warrior would strike the tree counting coup upon it. Then the warrior would give gifts to those who were most needy, and the braver he had been the more he gave away.
This in contrast to what Black Elk observed later in the story when visiting major cities.
"I could see that the Wasichus did not care for each other the way our people did before the nation’s hoop was broken. They would take everything from each other if they could, and so there were some who had more of everything than they could use, while crowds of people had nothing at all and maybe were starving. They had forgotten that the earth was their mother. This could not be better than the old ways of my people." ~ Black Elk
Hmm, sounds familiar.
Black Elk's concept of community was as different as day and night.
"The Six Grandfathers have placed in this world many things, all of which should be happy. Every little thing is sent for something, and in that thing there should be happiness and the power to make happy. Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other, thus we should do, for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the World." ~ Black Elk
Be aware in reading this book that what is conveyed is in part through metaphors and mystical symbolism in the ways the ancient ones enhanced the vividness of a telling. One example in Black Elk's vision is when he speaks of the fourth Grandfather, "he of the place where you are always facing (the south), whence comes the power to grow." The first association is that in numerous Native American beliefs, after death the soul travels south along the Milky Way. Thus, throughout life one is always facing south. The second association is of the power to grow. Restated in modern terms, the power is that of the natural world's closed loop system of life fueled by life, recycling the essential elements of physical being for a continuum of life.
Other examples include the circle (hoop), which not only symbolizes life's cyclical journey, but also represents a way of life in interacting with each other in a circular fashion to negate power struggles. The number four also has special significance, as in the elements of Earth, fire, air, and water; the seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall; and the primary directions of North, South, East, and West. Symbols can also be used in combination, such as a circle divided into quarters with four arrows signifying wisdom, innocence, foresight, and soul-searching.
The perspicacious reader will find more inclusive relevance in what Black Elk says, as parallels abound in the broader community and history of humankind. Something to think about is the circular aspect of life, where 'what goes around comes around.'...more
Surrounding a specific event, this book not only depicts a very interesting history of Haida Gwaii (formally Queen Charlotte Islands) that is well rouSurrounding a specific event, this book not only depicts a very interesting history of Haida Gwaii (formally Queen Charlotte Islands) that is well rounded with applicable tangents, but also presents such in an insightful and balanced way. It is much more than is presented in our blinkered culture's instruction. Yet another example of how our evolutionary baggage is leading us on a self-destructive course.
“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.” ~ Chris Maser...more
This is another of the collections of Native American legends authored or coauthored by Ella Elizabeth Clark. I've had this book since the late ninetiThis is another of the collections of Native American legends authored or coauthored by Ella Elizabeth Clark. I've had this book since the late nineties, among others, collecting all I could find. Ella E. Clark's books are the most prized by me, being as she went to great lengths in pursuit of authenticity. Many are long out of print, but can be found in used books outlets.
Where other of Clark's books are more regionalized, this is a broad spectrum covering tribes of the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Central Region, Southeast, and Northeast regions of North America.
So what's the big deal about Native American legends? Besides reviving memories of legends heard in my youth, and employing some, or the ideas of, in my writing, I've long wondered how Native Americans came by some of the legends. Legends that may have been collected and recorded in the last couple hundred years, but are supposedly many thousands of years old, passed down orally. Some are for entertaining youth, many more are moral/ethics lessons, and others are about ancient history, some uncannily accurate in their essence.
For example, (from Ella E. Clark's Indian Legends from the Northern Rockies, Shoshone and Bannock's section) the earth was first fire, then water, then Turtle Island was formed, with the story enhanced of course. How would primitives imagine this?
Another example (in this book) is titled The flood on Superstition Mountain which bears a resemblance to the Noah's Arc Bible story, but likely has its origins in a time before the Bible, certainly before Native Americans were aware of the Bible.
In other words, this book and others by Ella E. Clark, can stir up a lot of thoughts and questions. They can even bring to mind moral issues that we've trampled on.
At the same time, I would caution readers about the many versions of Native American legends that are to be found in today's 'information world.' Many are our own versions misinterpreted or twisted for our own purposes....more
This is a reread. I've had this book since the 1980s and had forgotten some of the details. I was also interested in some of the other paths SacagaweaThis is a reread. I've had this book since the 1980s and had forgotten some of the details. I was also interested in some of the other paths Sacagawea had crossed in her latter life [there are many other intersecting details in the book]. It was slow reading this second time because it is a print book with small type that is hard on these old eyes.
I found again as the blurb notes, "Sacagawea, seen in the light of accurate history rather than legend, remains an intriguing and inspiring figure in our past."
This book is divided into two sections, the first regarding the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Sacagawea's involvement, and the second is of her life after the Expedition. Information sources and inconsistencies are amply noted.
Sacagawea's roles in the Lewis and Clark Expedition are the stuff of which myths are made. In truth though, the legends obscure the person and the real contributions Sacagawea made to the first scientific exploration of the American West through territory unexplored by Western culture. With her infant son strapped to her back, as a member of the main party from April 7, 1805 until August 14, 1806 she was a valuable asset sharing the explorer's hardships and helping them survive.
The second part of the book deals mostly with Sacagawea's life after the Expedition until her passing in 1884. Yes, she lived an interesting life to a ripe old age. It also deals with others' involvement.
The author, Ella Elizabeth Clark, is well known to me, being the most prolific and accurate chronicler of Native American legends that I know of. Ella Elizabeth Clark (January 8, 1896 – July 9, 1984) was an American educator, author, and Professor Emerita of English. Although Clark was not a trained anthropologist or folklorist, she collected large numbers of American Indian and First Nations oral traditions and made them available to a wide readership.
Regardless of what other stories/accounts about Sacagawea you may have read, I recommend reading this book to learn what a truly interesting and courageous person this woman really was.
PS: I may be a bit biased, having close ties to the Lemhi Shoshone people in my early years :-)...more
Keeping my reading varied, I picked up this book by one of Goodreads' 'participating' authors. It proved to be a good choice which I read in two sittiKeeping my reading varied, I picked up this book by one of Goodreads' 'participating' authors. It proved to be a good choice which I read in two sittings. My reaction to the book given my background is that this is not another Hollywoodized Western (cultural propaganda), but rather interesting historical fiction.
My background involving growing up in the Northern Rockies with Shoshone friends, I don't have much knowledge of Southwestern Native Americans and associated prominent individuals (other than the Comanche who were a division of the Eastern Shoshone that migrated to the Southwest). Even so, I felt the author handled the characters and their interplay realistically given the cultures involved.
The author skillfully integrated aspects of good storytelling, such as fleshed-out characters, emotions, setting, thrilleresque, a bit of mystery, and even a bit of romance to create interesting and informative historical fiction. As to the bit of mystery, the author leaves crumbs so that when you get to a revelation you might exclaim, "Damn, why didn't I guess that!"
At the end of the story there is an Author's Note the should be read. To broaden one's understanding some of the real characters can be looked-up on Wikipedia.
Thank you, J. R. Lindermuth, for an engaging read. ...more
Idly rummaging through some used books on the salvaged table at the village recycling station, the cover of this book caught my eye. Seeing it was oneIdly rummaging through some used books on the salvaged table at the village recycling station, the cover of this book caught my eye. Seeing it was one of Tony Hillerman's books, I began thumbing through it and recognized the book as one of the Joe Leaphorn / Jim Chee Navajo Tribal Police series I'd read (likely in the 1990s).
Academics, murderous villainy, rattlesnakes, skinwalkers, and even Butch Cassidy all mix in the twists of this tale. Coyote is a trickster in much of Native American myth, and Coyote's imposed fate plays a guiding role in the solution of this plot's puzzle. 'Gently impressive mystery fiction' is the best phrase I've come across to describe Tony Hillerman's writing.
I've found Tony Hillerman's books an enjoyable pastime over the years, and having spent a little time in the Four Corners region could easily visualize the settings....more
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