Customer Reviews

Lightningbolt (Native American studies)

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Book Review by Maryanne Raphael LIGHTNINGBOLT By Hyemeyohsts Storm This is the first book ever written about the Zero chiefs who taught the wisdom of the Medicine Wheels. Storm makes this knowledge simple, meaningful, intimate and accessible to every reader. It opens high in the mountains of Montana where Lightningbolt bridles his horse for a terrifying journey into the wilderness. As he travels his adventures test his spirituality and guide him to his greatest teacher, Estcheemah. This powerful Medicine Woman lives in the Present and loves Life passionately. She changes his mind about most everything, helps him find a purpose for life and teaches him to teach himself. LIGHTNINBOLT has all the reader-holding qualities of GONE WITH THE WIND. It is fast moving with colorful characters on every page making history come alive with suspense, drama, love stories, birth and death. Storm vividly evokes the sensations of a world most of us have never visited and makes us feel at home there. With great attention to detail, he describes the rhythm of life on and around an Indian reservation and the male and female's path to self knowledge and spiritual strength. Storm celebrates the crucial role of the spiritual woman and says that accepting the feminine face of God may be the next evolutionary step for humanity. Readers can open LIGHTNINGBOLT at any page and find themselves so involved they can't put it down. They will want to read it over and over and share it with those they love. By Maryanne Raphael maryanneraphael@juno.com

This is a book about more than the guru-guided personal search for self-understanding of a half-breed, more than a remarkably profound exposé of the life-philosophy (not religion) of the native american peoples. More even than a confirmation of the inner validity of other ancient systems of thought and knowledge to be found in other parts of the world, for example in Scandinavia. This book is exactly what it claims to be: the revelation of A WAY, an approach to life and the problems of identity, balance and peace, second to none, and applicable to everyone, where ever in the world they may live, and whatever religious and cultural tradition they may formally adhere to. Something that if widely spread, and attended to in the right way, might just ... just ... (to coin a heavily misused, but in this context really appropriate phrase)"save the world". In other words, not without subversive, but highly life-enhancing social and political connotations. My advice: Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. And then practice, as best ye may. Good luck, and may the Spirit give you strength in the quest for yourSELF.

The Red Road curves through a parallel universe with only tenuous ties to contemporary reality. Storm speaks to the wanna-be warrior in all of us, with humorous vignettes spiked with hidden awareness, as he looks back at the valiant fool he was, beginning his quest before he even knows he was on it, missing all the clues to his personal Grail. (The sign said "Stop", he looked at it, but he couldn't see the message for the word...) Conservative Native Americans shun this guy for letting the cat out of the bag...But for the rest of us waschisus, this is as close to understanding life on the Res as we'll ever get. No matter what your path to personal enlightenment has been, any spritual trekkie will enjoy this guy's experiences. Great read!!!

This book speeks to me about the inner turmoil and multitude of voices that haunt the uninitiated and estranged males in our society. To not belong, to be cut off from community is a plague on our youth and spirit. The feeling of isolation leads to antisocial behavior, unhappiness, stupidity and violence. Herein is the story of a disenfranchised man and how, with a mentor and female partner, he finds strength in the Self to command and conquer the demons of a disfunctional conformist society. This is a primer on taming the destructive, finding peace and living with beauty. Great insights for all!

This third of Storm's works catapults him into the catagory of Literary Giant. His mastery of the device of Oral Tradition should end, once and for all, the discussion of his "Indianness". This book is so traditional and true that there can be no doubt of the author's authenticity or genius.

This book is brilliant. The spirituall depth is immense, and the culturall innsight it offers are very valuable. But what really struck me was the Zero Chiefs psychologicall innsight into the human mind. This wisdom has the potential to put Freud and his flock out of business.

I found this book over two years ago and I have yet to finish. I can't bring myself to accept that it will end, so i've been doing everything i can to avoid turning that last page. It's that kind of book. There are so many layers of brillance and value to this amazing piece of artwork. Athough it is psychologically complex and metaphysically profound, it is Storm's simple love for the Earth and his masterful, unassuming language that set this book apart. The characters have a fully developed humanity to them that is unparalleled. Truly destined to be an all time classic. This is more than a book.

This is a really moving book, a marvel at getting to the point of where spirit is to be found.
It literally put me right back on the track of life, and made me wonder about the miracle of life, right here, right now.

I was on a vision quest in my life looking outside and was taught by elders and others to look within and with the help of this Book and Hyemeyohst Storm and other books he wrote I was able to learn more and feel more in touch with the earth medicine of Nature and its often looked over healing power The Power of One "Nature" may we all find our way to a place of peace and serenity within and share it by being.. JG

i've not finished the book, but then i wouldn't tell you the story anyway...
for those who have read either of Hyemeyohsts Storm's previous books, this will be a beautiful surprise and another thrilling adventure of the soul. for those who have just heard of the man, dive deep; this is a map to being/becoming who you really are.