41 pages 1 hour read

John Neihardt

Black Elk Speaks

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1932

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Black Elk Speaks by John Neihardt recounts Black Elk’s journey from boyhood, through his “great vision,” to his role in numerous significant events including battles and the Wounded Knee Massacre, as he navigates the conflicts between the Lakota people and the Wasichus. The book includes accounts of violence and suffering experienced by the Lakota people.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Black Elk Speaks by John Neihardt is praised for vividly portraying the spiritual and cultural life of the Oglala Lakota through the perspective of Black Elk, a respected medicine man. Critics commend its poetic narrative and historical significance, though some question its accuracy and Neihardt's interpretive role. Overall, it's a compelling, though contested, work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Black Elk Speaks?

A reader captivated by Native American history, spirituality, and memoirs will find Black Elk Speaks compelling. Comparable to Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and The Sacred Pipe, it appeals to those interested in indigenous perspectives and poetic storytelling.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Book Details

Topics

History: U.S.

Philosophy

History: World

Genre

Philosophy

Biography