The Black Elk Reader [Hardcover]

Clyde Holler (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For many years, John G. Neihardt's influential Black Elk Speaks (1931), which explored the life of Lakota spiritual leader Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950), was accepted as the last word on the Lakota religion. Recently, however, some doubts have surfaced: just how accurate is Black Elk Speaks, and how should it be interpreted? What cultural and personal factors were at work in its creation? Editor Holler (Black Elk's Religion) has gathered together articles on Black Elk by a number of notable scholars. The author includes literary, anthropological, and theological analyses, ranging from a comparison of Black Elk Speaks and Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Marble Faun to an examination of how Black Elk's personal beliefs combined Lakota religion with Catholicism. The book also features an extensive bibliography. Because of its scholarly emphasis, this collection is recommended for academic collections only.DGwen M. Gregory, New Mexico State Univ. Lib., Las Cruces
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Syracuse University Press; annotated edition edition (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815628358
• ISBN-13: 978-0815628354
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,494,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stimulating contribution to Native American studies., August 7, 2000

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black Elk Reader (Paperback)

The Black Elk Reader contains a variety of old and new perspectives on the Black Elk Speaks vision entrusted by Nicholas Black Elk to John Niehardt in 1931. Both classic and contemporary essays are included as well as reflections by Hilda Niehardt on 1931 and 1944 interviews with Black Elk. The issue of cultural appropriation is thoroughly presented both by Francis Kaye and anthropologist Raymond Bucko in his annotated biography and guide, "Sources and Suggestions for Further Study of Black Elk and Lakota Culture." Although some of the selections may seem a trifle dated or ponderous and condescending in tone, sufficient respectful material is included to stimulate and appeal to students of Native American studies, anthropology, religion, and the general audience.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer