When the Tree Flowered: The Story of Eagle Voice, a Sioux Indian (New Edition) [Paperback]

John G. Neihardt (Author), Raymond J. DeMallie (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1991

"When the Tree Flowered is John Neihardt's mature and reflective inter-pretation of the old Sioux way of life. He served as a translator of the Sioux past whose audience has proved not to be limited by space or time. Through his writings, Black Elk, Eagle Elk, and other old men who were of that last generation of Sioux to have participated in the old buffalo-hunting life and disorienting period of strife with the U.S. army found a literary voice. What they said chronicles a dramatic transition in the life of the Plains Indians; the record of their thoughts, interpreted by Neihardt, is a legacy preserved for the future. It transcends the specifics of this one tragic case of cultural misunderstanding and conflict and speaks to universal human concerns. It is a story worth contemplating both for itself and for the lessons it teaches all humanity."-Raymond J. DeMallie, editor of The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt. "A warm and often moving piece of literature which can be appreciated for its literary value and for its insights into Sioux culture."-Richard N. Ellis, Rocky Mountain Social Science Journal. For more information on John G. Neihardt, visit www.neihardt.com

Editorial Reviews

Review

"When the Tree Flowered is John Neihardt''s mature and reflective inter-pretation of the old Sioux way of life. He served as a translator of the Sioux past whose audience has proved not to be limited by space or time. Through his writings, Black Elk, Eagle Elk, and other old men who were of that last generation of Sioux to have participated in the old buffalo-hunting life and disorienting period of strife with the U.S. army found a literary voice. What they said chronicles a dramatic transition in the life of the Plains Indians; the record of their thoughts, interpreted by Neihardt, is a legacy preserved for the future. It transcends the specifics of this one tragic case of cultural misunderstanding and conflict and speaks to universal human concerns. It is a story worth contemplating both for itself and for the lessons it teaches all humanity."—Raymond J. DeMallie, editor of The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk''s Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt

(Raymond J. DeMallie )

"A warm and often moving piece of literature which can be appreciated for its literary value and for its insights into Sioux culture."—Richard N. Ellis, Rocky Mountain Social Science Journal

(Richard N. Ellis Rocky Mountain Social Science Journal )

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press (March 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803283636
• ISBN-13: 978-0803283633
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,024,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soulfull Search, November 7, 2000

By 

P. Bennett (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: When the Tree Flowered: The Story of Eagle Voice, a Sioux Indian (New Edition) (Paperback)

This book was recommended by my sister-in-law, who is 1/2 Lakota Sioux. I wanted to understand more about the culture, the language, the inner feelings of the Sioux. This depiction, from a Lakota who went through the changes from freedom to confinement in his formative years, was sobering. I happened to find a 1951 version at a library and am now ordering the updated version to keep. I will be reading it again. I cried when I realized what my ancestors had done.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book on the Lakota and plains indians in general, October 27, 2010

By 

mining woman "spiritual seeker" (cheyenne, wy usa) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: When the Tree Flowered: The Story of Eagle Voice, a Sioux Indian (New Edition) (Paperback)

This is a story of the author speaking to a Native Elder. The Lakota stories are wonderful and richly told. The impatience of the white man, and author, appear many times. This should be a reminder to listen as long as it takes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The person is based on Black Elk and several other Native Elders he knew.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When the Tree Flowered, March 21, 2009

By 

Mary L. Shurtleff "M L Shurtleff" (Draper, Ut United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Tree Flowered: The Story of Eagle Voice, a Sioux Indian (New Edition) (Paperback)

This book is a fictional book with the author talking to an Indian elder about his life and the way of the Indian. The book, however, seems very authentic in feel and walks the fine line between fiction and non-fiction.I have lived in the Wyoming and Montana area, and this book is very authentic in feel.

A great book on Indian culture but also a great book to expand the mind about bravery and obligation to our people. I find this book to be very enlightening and can remind all of us that we are all connected to each other, the animals, plants, and the earth. We should remember that in our daily journey.