Animals of the Soul: Sacred Animals of the Oglala Sioux (Earth Quest) (Paperback)

by Joseph Epes Brown (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Much of Native American spirituality has been forced into the preconceived molds of Western religions. This book unlocks the rich spiritual heritage of the Oglala Sioux. Black Elk, the legendary Lakota holy man and spiritual leader, chose Dr. Brown to create a literary record to preserve teachings of his people.

Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Element Books Ltd; Rev Sub edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862041377
• ISBN-13: 978-1862041370
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,281,381 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a book for those willing to accept and learn, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This book is not for those who are blinded by what is expected of them in modern western life. Joseph Epes Brown treats the subject in a factual and down to earth way, not romantisicing. This book is a fascinating insight into the Spiritual way of the Oglala. It explains about the Oglala's attitude to those who shared the earth, their mother, with them. He explains Mita kuye ayasin - we are relatives- and how the animal spirits could help a man through life. He has a good descriptive set of chapters about the main animals and what they mean to the Oglala. He also shows which animal had which qualities and how these responded to male or female. This is only a book for those who are wiling to accept and to learn. Those who have lost the way will not read it properly. They certainly will not understand it. This book should be read, not with the two eyes of the head but with the Chante Ista, the single eye of the heart. A very enjoyable and informative book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, November 6, 1998

By A Customer

Yay! I love this book! A wonderful description of the various animals and their relationship with the Oglala Sioux. Informative, accurate, and not fluffy like so many things on animal spirituality these days. A good book by a truly wonderful author!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read!, August 8, 2005

By	Lupa (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

It's rare to find a book on totems from something other than a neopagan viewpoint. While this certainly doesn't encompass the whole of the traditional Lakhota worldview, Brown's work does offer a superb glimpse at one section of it. The cultural information is a valuable resource not often found in books this topic. As someone who's read the majority of currently available books on animal guides and totemism I highly recommend this one!