Black Elk Speaks [Abridged] [Audible Audio Edition]

by Black Elk (Author), John G. Neihardt (Author), Fred Contreras (Narrator)

Editorial Reviews

Explore the origins of Native American culture and humankind's sacred role in nature through this poignant autobiography of Black Elk, medicine man and Oglala visionary. Black Elk is considered one of the most authentic religious leaders and interpreters of American Indian spiritual tradition. This account of his life reveals the deep meaning and continued relevance of Native American culture within contemporary America.

Product Details

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 2 hours and 42 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Abridged
• Publisher: Phoenix Books
• Audible.com Release Date: December 15, 1999
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0000544PE
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Elk Still Speaks, February 18, 2000

By 

Franz Metcalf - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux (Paperback)

To potential readers, worried about the authenticity of this work and its right to speak for Native Americans:

The question of how closely the words of this book follow the words of Black Elk has long been debated. It will not be decided here. Turn to the scholarly literature if you truly wish to pursue an answer. I have done that and in my mind (and I do have some education in these realms) am at peace with the book as a genuine expression of turn of the century Lakota spirituality. Neihardt may have written the words, and Ben Black Elk (Black Elk's son) may have done the translating, but Black Elk lived the life, as is corroborated by other sources.

I use the work in my introduction to religion classes, to bring another world to life for my students. Is Black Elk's vision theirs? Of course not. Is the book even Black Elk's vision? Perhaps not exactly. But it is a vision of power and every now and then it awakens a vision in students living 100 years after Black Elk. I belive Black Elks speaks and there is some power in his words still.

107 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a biography instead of a book on Sioux Spirituality, December 7, 2000

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux (Paperback)

This book is a biography of the famous Sioux holy man Nick Black Elk.

It tells of young Black Elk's powerful vision. This is one of the few books to place the colors in the proper directions.

This is not a blanket statement that everything in this book is correct. I noticed two errors.

1. The word Oglala is misspelled throughout the book

2. The photo on page 282. I have seen this photo in other sources, and the indian standing to the left of Nick Black Elk was called by another name.

If you want a biography of the famous holy man this is an excelent book.

If you want a book on American Indian Spirituality go elsewhere.

"The Sacred Pipe" Joseph Epes Brown

"Foolscrow: Wisdom and Power" Thomas E. Mails

"Native Wisdom" Ed McGaa

"Mother Earth Spirituality" Ed McGaa

Please contact me if you have questions or comments. Two Bears

Wah doh Ogedoda "We give thanks Great Spirit"

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Books I've Read, November 5, 2000

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux (Paperback)

This is the biography of Black Elk, a wichasha wakon (priest) of the Oglala Sioux, as recorded by John Neihardt. This is not some cheesy new age fiction nor is it a dry documentary told from a western view point. This is the actual life story of a holy man and goes into great detail about his visions. From his words we are able to catch a glimpse of Native American religion and spirituality on the Great Plains as it was in the late 1800s/early 1900s. This stands out as one of the greatest works on Native American religion to date. I highly rocemmend that ANYONE read this book.