Walking with Grandfather: The Wisdom of Lakota Elders [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

~ Joseph M. Marshall III (Author) "Taking walks with grandfather shaped my life..." (more)
Key Phrases: Crazy Horse, Grandpa Albert, Mother Earth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Since the tide of interest created by Black Elk Speaks over 70 years ago, Native American lineage holders have been cautious about sharing their spiritual truths to the reading public because the essence of this wisdom has been so often misunderstood. In Walking with Grandfather, authentic Lakota lineage holder and award-winning storyteller Joseph M. Marshall breaks this silence with the very best from a lifetime of lessons passed on to him by his grandfather. With him, readers gain access to the timeless teachings that until now remained largely unheard outside the culture of the Lakota people. Part of an unbroken series of narratives dating back countless centuries, this rare new transmission includes Marshall’s rendition of legendary stories such as: • "The Way of Wolves"—important lessons about parenting • "The Shadow Man"—a story on war and the warrior within us all • "Follow Me"—reflections on leaders and leadership • "The Wisdom Within"—the passage of truly becoming an elder—plus many more stories found both in the book and in the author’s own words on the accompanying audio CD.

"We believe that life’s gift to us is wisdom," explains Joseph M. Marshall, "and that it is the one gift that must be given back." Join this master of traditional storytelling as he takes us through the rich oral history of the Lakota—and shows us how we can rediscover the invaluable wisdom of our elders.

About the Author

Joseph M. Marshall III is a teacher, historian, Lakota craftsman, and writer. He has authored several screenplays in addition to five books, including the highly acclaimed The Lakota Way(Viking Compass, 2002). Joseph M. Marshall III is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and recipient of the Wyoming Humanities Award.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 115 pages
• Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated; First edition edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591793521
• ISBN-13: 978-1591793526
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,897 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Need To Fear Death, February 13, 2006

By	Bob Reece (Frederick, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Joseph Marshall III journeys into a wholly new literary world and presents his most unique and valuable work to date with "Walking with Grandfather: The Wisdom of Lakota Elders." His early writings were mostly fiction, then non-fiction, and now philosophy.

As a young boy, Marshall spent countless hours walking the trails along the Little White River in South Dakota with his grandfather Albert, a Sicangu Lakota. The knowledge Marshall gained during those intimate moments has served him well throughout his career and life.

Marshall's writing is not the shoddy new-age-native-american-pyramid-consciousness-enlightenment philosophy that has highjacked real American Indian religious rituals and beliefs. Rather, Marshall's sharing of Grandpa Albert's understanding of life, people, and society is simple and straight forward, yet its benefits are powerful for one's soul. This philosophy is not just an American Indian philosophy but it is also valuable for all societies.

Marshall's voice speaks from the heart, about living and death, the body and its spirit. He warns us that ignorance sometimes accompanies man's commanding intellect creating more harm than good. We must always remember where we come from to keep us humble. Humbleness ensures we move forward, generation after generation in a positive way.

"Walking with Grandfather" is sculpted from Lakota wisdom, history, and mythic stories. Marshall shares wonderful tales of wolves, the greyhound and the rabbit, the bow and arrow, and more. All these tales of fiction accent an important point that provides great wisdom for living in a very busy world. We should slow down and always remember where we came from, our ancestors that walked before us, and learn from them.

Marshall states,

"We think that all that matters is the present. We forget, or just plain don't know, how we got where we are today, intellectually, morally, philosophically, and technologically. We live in a world that moves at cyber speed, craves instant gratification, and revels in technology. Consequently, we are so impressed with the current version of ourselves that we are not aware that our ancestors contributed to what we are and what we do and how we think."

It is our elders, Marshall pleads, that we must not forget and that we need to learn from.

"Grandpa Albert had a habit of stopping now and then and looking back down the trail. Frequently, he would take me by the shoulders and ask me to look back at the way we had come. `Remember the trail,' he said, `because one of these times I will send you back alone. If you don't remember the way you have come, you will be lost.' Some of the trails that my Grandpa Albert and I walked are still there. They are old trails, even ancient, perhaps laid out by the bison or the deer in some bygone age. Many of the trails are changed or grown over and not easy to see any longer, but they are easy to remember. Such is life. The tracks we leave on the land will disappear over time. The tracks we leave in the hearts and minds of others will never fade."

"Walking with Grandfather" addresses the difficult subjects of war and death. We learn how Lakota society looked upon its young men going off to war. Marshall shares a remarkably simple gift that the Lakota gave their warriors when they returned home from battle. It is a gift from the heart and it is one I believe American society failed to give her warriors returning home from the Vietnam War.

I believe what we gain most from "Walking with Grandfather" is that life is a wonderful journey and that our eventual death should not scare us. During this journey we should respect our elders and learn from their wisdom so that we can make a better world for our children and grandchildren.

All journeys, all walks along a trail beside a river must come to an end. Grandpa Albert lived a good and giving life, and died a Lakota elder. His death and the celebration of his life are uplifting and grand. You will cry, not from sadness, but from happiness in that you had a chance to know Grandpa Albert.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars midwest reader, February 7, 2006

By	Midwest fan - See all my reviews

I rate this book 5 Stars. With the 67 minute CD it is a treasure. As Joseph Marshall narrates his journey into manhood, his words act as a poignant reminder of our responsibilities to elders in our society, and for me, as I enter my 6th decade, my responsibilities to younger generations. Wisdom, he writes, requires discernment, "the ability to know when to apply that knowledge in a way that offers an answer or insight". The most moving chaper for me was "The Shadow Man". The "Shadow Man" is the "dark side of each of us, the side that protects against threat or attack on family, community or self". The Lakota had a cleansing, healing ceremony that honored warriors. Prayers were offered to ask for "cleansing of the terrible things they had to do to defend the people". The warriors were then welcomed back into the circle of society. Mr. Marshall notes that "any society that...heals and nurtures it's warriors is ensuring its own survival". The book and CD also note the seriousness of choosing battle. Grandfather Albert, Mr. Marshall noted, wondered whether "white" society were a "Wise People". Are we? The book is about responsibility, leadership, character and making choices for the good of all. If you are wise enough to value these things, no matter your age, this book is a must read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lifts your spirit!!, March 19, 2006

By	Wolf Lover (Mohnton, PA USA) - See all my reviews

I just loved this book. The stories that Joseph Marshall shares are spiritually lifting. Reading it brought a smile to my face. I enjoyed the simple life lessons that are expressed in the book.