The Soul of an Indian 2 Ed: And Other Writings from Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman) [Hardcover]

Kent Nerburn (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2001

Ohiyesa, a Dakota Indian also known as Charles Alexander Eastman, is one of America’s most fascinating and overlooked individuals. Born in Minnesota in 1858, he obtained postgraduate degrees and advised U.S. presidents before returning to traditional living in native forests. This beautifully packaged reissue contains Ohiyesa’s insights on spirit, the human experience, and white culture’s impact on Native American culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ohiyesa was, at heart, a poet of the spirit and the bearer of a spiritual vision. With increasing fervor as he aged, he was a preacher for the native vision of life. I believe it is his spiritual vision, above all else, that we of our generation need to hear. We hunger for the words and insights of the Native American, and no man spoke with more insight or clarity than Ohiyesa...." — from the introduction --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; 2nd edition (September 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577312007
• ISBN-13: 978-1577312000
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #615,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading challenges your life purposes, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Soul of an Indian and Other Writings from Ohiyesa (The Classic Wisdom Collection) (Hardcover)

The presentation of the indians life and purpose will challenge a persons prespectives of life and the purpose to which all of us have been called. Do you live a life of love or are we so drawn to the material and success orientations of this world that we have lost perspective of the real purpose of life? Ohiyesa will challenge each of us to look into yourselves and ask the question do I truly care for what is right or are my values based upon what I have acquired. Do I walk in truth or do I live a lie? Do I care for my neighbor or do I only think of myself? Do I see God in what has been created or do I deny His existence? Ohiyesa, will challenge the very foundations of western society and our ways of thinking. He challenges the christian and the church as presented in our society today. Do we live as Christ, or do we use Christ to obtain control? I found this book a great treasure of clear thinking and profound statements that make me question the values that I have what of you?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Soul of an Indian (C.A.Eastman), November 5, 2001

By 

LarBeth "l_bethoney" (Plymouth, MA ,United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Soul of an Indian 2 Ed: And Other Writings from Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman) (Hardcover)

If one wants to know what it is "really" like to have the problems of a drug addict, one doesn't ask the therapist (sorry), but rather the addict. Only a true Native American can explain the life, in its many aspects, of a Native American----and, although we have many examples of the wisdom of Native American chiefs, few attain the level, from a philosophical/religious view, as does Ohiyesa (C. Eastman). He is truly a poet in the simplicity of the words he uses, while simultaneously imparting a veritable glimpse of the meaning behind his words. For this reason alone, he, I believe, will be time-honored, when one wants to get a view of Native American life in the future.
Sadly, but perhaps necessarily, Ohiyesa was torn between two worlds---the white (education and profession, as well as residence in the East) and his heritage, which he felt bound to,as the atrocities continued to unfold in his lifetime, some of which he experienced firsthand.
For persons of "a certain ilk", I believe that the many people who respect the wisdom of "The Prophet" (Khalil Gibran)will equally respect this writing.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ths book is an edited version., October 14, 2002

By 

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

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This review is from: The Soul of an Indian 2 Ed: And Other Writings from Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman) (Hardcover)

This book is good, but has been heavily edited.

I would recommend against buying this book, but instead buy "The Soul Of an Indian" Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa); published by University of Nebraska Press; ISBN: 0803267010.

Ohiyesa puts his spirituality in simple words without getting bogged down in ceremonies by rote, and dogma.

I HIGHLY recommend the writings by Ohiyesa. Just not this heavily edited version.

I encourage questions and comments via E-Mail. Two Bears.