Lakota Way: Stories & Lessons for Living [Hardcover]

Joseph Marshall III (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 2001

Joseph Marshall has dedicated his entire life to spiritual fulfillment and teaching to others the essence of the Lakota wisdom. As a child, he learned from his grandfather: "Insults can hurt, but only if you let them. If you learn to let the wind blow through you, you will take away its power to blow you down. If you let the words pass through you, you will not feel them." In The Lakota Way, he imparts this lesson his grandfather gave him as well as many others. It combines his own poetic voice with rich storytelling, Native American folklore, history, and lessons to give a fresh outlook for those searching for a new perspective on spirituality and ethical living.

In The Lakota Way, Joe Marshall expresses the heart of Native American philosophy and the qualities that are crucial to the Lakota path to a fulfilling and meaningful life: bravery, fortitude, generosity, wisdom, respect, honor, selflessness, perseverance, love, humility, sacrifice, truth, and compassion. The wisdom is shared through stories at the heart of Lakota culture—and its survival—and their meaning and relevance are explained through examples from history and everyday life. The legend of Crazy Horse illuminates a lesson on humility, and the legend of Deer Woman teaches a lesson on respect. The Lakota Way is the perfect handbook of life and ethics for the entire family.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To the Lakota Indians, virtues such as humility, sacrifice, and bravery are not just distant goals to aspire toward, they are daily expectations. "We believe we are measured by how well, or how little, we manifest virtue in our life's journey," writes Joseph Marshall, himself a Lakota. This collection of stories illustrates how generations are taught the Lakota Way of virtuous living through oral storytelling. Marshall recounts the tale of Deer Woman--a siren that lures hunters to her teepee then steals their souls. As the story goes, a grandmother warns her grandson not to be trapped by this beautiful soul-snatcher. When the grandson finally encounters Deer Woman, he is able to resist her seduction, not because he is afraid she'll steal his soul, but because he would never disobey his grandmother. For the Lakota, respect for elders is one of the most honored virtues. After each story, Marshall offers a gracefully rendered essay on the virtue it espouses and how it's applied to daily life. We are fortunate that Marshall translated these precious stories into written English. "They are our gift to the world," he explains. "They are not guarded secrets, they are markers on the road to life--the answers soaring across the open prairies of our lives on the winds of wisdom--helping us, perhaps helping you." --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

Humility, perseverance, bravery, sacrifice and love are among the 12 values of the Lakota tribe that are presented through traditional stories and personal commentary in Joseph M. Marshall III's The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living. The legend of White Lance and Red Willow Woman teaches the importance of love and duty, for instance, while Marshall's account of his father's battle with cancer stresses the merits of bravery. The lessons for life, which stress the proverbial attributes of common sense and moral vigor, may not be surprising, but the stories that frame them will be new and forceful to most.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; First edition (October 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670894567
• ISBN-13: 978-0670894567
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and holds a PhD from the reservation university, which he helped to establish. The award-winning author of ten books, including Hundred in the Hand, The Lakota Way, and The Journey of Crazy Horse, he has also contributed to various publications and written several screenplays. His first language is Lakota, he handcrafts primitive Lakota bows and arrows, and he is a specialist in wilderness survival. Marshall's work as a cultural and historical consultant can be seen and heard in the Turner Network Television and Dreamworks epic television miniseries Into the West.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally . . ., March 4, 2002

By 

Dr. K (Bemidji, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lakota Way: Stories & Lessons for Living (Hardcover)

After years of listening to insufferable white posturers and Indian writers beating the tom-tom just a bit too loudly, I have finally come upon a writer who has produced a humble, honorable, knowledgeable book that reflects the application of Indian traditions to the situations that all of us face today. This is not a book for the confused seeker, the desperate wannabe, or the trafficer in the newest new age philosophy du jour. Rather, it is a book for the caring, thoughtful human being who looks into the heart as well as the mind for guidance on life issues. An added benefit is that it is full of wonderful and illustrative stories, lightly told. If you don't feel that the Great Spirit has ordained you to wear eagle feathers and take an Indian name, but you value the rich, earth-embracing philosophy of the Lakota people, please get this book. You will find yourself quietly enriched and illuminated, all in a way that New Age self help books can never begin to provide. Thank you, Mr. Marshall. You remind us that wisdom whispers, it doesn't shout. Keep up the good fight. Kent Nerburn

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Swept Away, October 25, 2002

By 

"morningsparrow" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lakota Way: Stories & Lessons for Living (Hardcover)

I was truely swept away by this book. All the different stories relating to the Virtues are wonderful. I would recommend this to anyone that shares a love for Native Americans. Their beliefs really come alive in this book for dreamers and romantics like me.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally......a book on reality!..., August 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Lakota Way: Stories & Lessons for Living (Hardcover)

I borrowed this book from the library and
when I started reading it, I couldn't put
it down. I finished the book that same night,
it was great.

This book is based on reality. All these virtues
are based on pure common sense principles.

I will buy this book and a couple more for my
family and friends.