The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt [Paperback]

Raymond J. DeMallie (Editor), Hilda Neihardt (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1985

In Black Elk Speaks and When the Tree Flowered, John C. Neihardt recorded the teachings of the Oglala holy man Black Elk, who had, in a vision, seen himself as the "sixth grandfather," the spiritual representative of the earth and of mankind. Raymond J. DeMallie makes available for the first time the transcripts from Neihardt's interviews with Black Elk in 1931 and 1944, which formed the basis for the two books. His introduction offers new insights into the life of Black Elk.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In The Sixth Grandfather, Dr. DeMallie reveals himself to be a uniquely sensitive interpreter of Lakota theology, philosophy, and history—which are all one in traditionalist Lakota thought. His editing is a masterpiece of scholarly skill and spiritual insight, insight that penetrates the inner beings of both Black Elk and John G. Neihardt, two men of vastly different cultures who became one as seekers of the Sacred. The Sixth Grandfather is, as it were, the completion of the holy task begun in Black Elk Speaks and When the Tree Flowered."— Father Peter J. Powell, author of People of the Sacred Mountain

(Father Peter J. Powell )

"As a careful anthropological document or a moving personal testimony, the legacy here preserved deserves a wide readership."—Library Journal

(Library Journal )

Product Details

• Paperback: 452 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (October 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803265646
• ISBN-13: 978-0803265646
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Native American

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indigenous way of being, November 15, 2000

By 

Matthew Middendorf (Lyons, CO, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt (Hardcover)

This book is the most powerful book I have ever read. Black Elk exudes a spiritual connection that is unparalleled. He also was a man of service. He speaks with a poetic sense of the world that has been killed by science, rationalism and money lust. If we could recover the spiritual sense, this indigenous way of being, that this man had the world would be rich. This book is better than the book "Black Elk Speaks" by Neihardt, because Demallie publishes the interviews verbatim (Neihardt's influence is limited), he provides many footnotes and writes a 100 page introduction and biography on Black Elk using material not contained in the interviews. Demallie also discusses issues that arise from what Black Elk says.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Black Elk speaks"... for the first time !, June 1, 2000

By 

Claude-René DE WINTER - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt (Paperback)

We knew "BLACK ELK speaks" for a long time, through John NEIHARDT's translation. Now, we get - at least - the full text and it's a real hapiness ! I compared the two texts, some days ago, for my Belgian students and discovered how Neihardt had betrayed the Old Man by cutting, interpreting and rewriting the original interview. This book is the most important publication in Native American spirituality for years; it presents, in the same time, a vivid Lakota experience of Little Big Horn battle and Wounded Knee massacre, without any reorganization. Read it.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishingly beautiful, August 1, 2005

By 

CNJ (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt (Paperback)

These are the original records of a series of interviews about spiritual awakening that resulted in the classic book "Black Elk Speaks." When Black Elk describes his vision, it is the most beautiful, the most profound assessment of human experience that I have ever encountered. Black Elk speaks in the language and symbols of his culture, so a reader who has knowledge of his way of life will better understand what he was trying to convey.