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Black Elk
Black Elk: The Life of an American Visionary | Joe Jackson
6 posts | 2 read | 8 to read
The epic life story of the Native American holy man who has inspired millions around the world Black Elk, the Native American holy man, is known to millions of readers around the world from his 1932 testimonial Black Elk Speaks. Adapted by the poet John G. Neihardt from a series of interviews with Black Elk and other elders at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, Black Elk Speaks is one of the most widely read and admired works of American Indian literature. Cryptic and deeply personal, it has been read as a spiritual guide, a philosophical manifesto, and a text to be deconstructedwhile the historical Black Elk has faded from view. In this sweeping book, Joe Jackson provides the definitive biographical account of a figure whose dramatic life converged with some of the most momentous events in the history of the American West. Born in an era of rising violence between the Sioux, white settlers, and U.S. government troops, Black Elk killed his first man at the Little Bighorn, witnessed the death of his second cousin Crazy Horse, and traveled to Europe with Buffalo Bills Wild West show. Upon his return, he was swept up in the traditionalist Ghost Dance movement and shaken by the Massacre at Wounded Knee. But Black Elk was not a warrior, instead accepting the path of a healer and holy man, motivated by a powerful prophetic vision that he struggled to understand. Although Black Elk embraced Catholicism in his later years, he continued to practice the old ways clandestinely and never refrained from seeking meaning in the visions that both haunted and inspired him. In Black Elk, Jackson has crafted a true American epic, restoring to its subject the richness of his times and gorgeously portraying a life of heroism and tragedy, adaptation and endurance, in an era of permanent crisis on the Great Plains.
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LuluTheBookBug
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Pickpick

This book is amazing! Black Elk's life was incredible. Tragic, beautiful, yet still hopeful. Everyone should learn about this man's amazing life and legacy.
#nonfiction #biography #blackelk #joejackson

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jveezer
Pickpick

That was an interesting book about my hero. At first I thought Jackson wasn't much of a believer in Black Elk but his research seemed detailed and fair. Now I have to go back to Black Elk Speaks. Wish a private press would do an edition of BES.

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LuluTheBookBug
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Just starting this today! I'm looking forward to learning about this man's life.😊
#blackelk #nonfiction #firstbookof2018 #joejackson

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jveezer
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Winding down on this one. Last couple of chapters. I need to revisit Black Elk Speaks. Such a powerful book and inspiring man. His cousin Crazy Horse is my #1 American Hero.

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jveezer
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The currently reading and TBR pile on my desk. Black Elk is excellent so far, although not so much for Custer...

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MrBook
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My, my, my, my, my! Look at all of these fantastic new reads 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻!!!! Have you read any of these? I want to put them all on my TBR, lol. Do any stand out to you that you haven't read yet either? Maybe we can schedule a #LetsReadTogether selection for some time in early 2017? That'd be fun 😎👌🏻! (Not like I don't have enough books on my plate already 😂😂👏🏻!)

BrainyHeroine I picked up The Six last night. Looking forward to it. 8y
TheBookAddict Oh man, what are you doing to my TBR?!? Lol, it's already huge, but I just had to look up these titles and now they're on my TBR😔. I'll definitely have to #BlameitonMrBook 😆 8y
TNbooklover66 I listened to the audio of Sapiens. It was excellent. 8y
See All 13 Comments
Twocougs Read the Megyn Kelly, not sure I actually like her but I do respect her. Worth a read. 8y
Hooked_on_books The Immortal Irishman is quite good, very readable. He had an interesting life. I have the Collins on my shelf, waiting to be read. 8y
LeahBergen Ooo, another Mitford sisters bio! 8y
Belles I'm just now learning about the Mitford sisters because I live in a tiny little box and don't get out much. Goal for 2017? Live big - eat tater tots extra crispy! So anyway, I would read along on The Six or whatever it's called. 8y
lauralovesbooks1 The Candace Millard was interesting --I'm not a huge Churchill fan, but she is a compelling writer. The March series by Lewis is on this display and they were all phenomenal, and Truevine by Macy was riveting. 8y
lauralovesbooks1 Also -the one on Genesis Khann looks intriguing. My TBR only gets bigger, never smaller. 8y
Peddler410 I've heard great things about the Immortal Irish Man. It's on my list! 8y
LitsyGoesPostal 😊👍🏻 8y
jveezer Just saw the Black Elk at City Lights last night. I have to read that! 8y
97 likes3 stack adds13 comments