Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

I'm not sure how to put into words how important this book is. It took me almost a month to read it because I felt that I had to focus and try to retain everything on the page, it was that engrossing. The book has extensive research, endnotes, a bibliography, and index to make this one of, if not, the best books on the history of Native Americans during the time of the Civil War to about 1890.The chapters are all heartbreaking accounts of the atrocities that Indians were subjected to during the greedy expansion of the United States. I don't need to list all of them, as it would give less weight to their magnitude, but the most horrific chapter for me was Chapter 4 (I think). It's about the massacre at Sand Creek and the brutality of that battle is unreal. I got physically ill as I read each sentence with my heart pounding and breaking with each beat.I can't give this book a thorough review because I think the Kindle version is cumbersome to "flip" around in and give specific examples, but I really recommend this book to everyone who is interested in history and who wants solid accounts of these moments in history. I can't say it's unbiased in the message the author is trying to deliver, but Brown seems to present honest and factual accounts to formulate this narrative.It's a winding road of countless misunderstandings between nations that could have avoided conflict many times, but things like ego, pressure, the media, and public opinion really mucked up a lot of what could have been more peaceful resolutions (if there could be resolutions at all). Since it took me so long to read, I can really only relate a later story about Geronimo finally giving up and returning to a reservation, Standing Rock(?), but when he and his followers got drunk and heard whispers about being hanged or taken to Florida, he went back on his promise to a now-friendly official (Crook?). After a longer period of time, Geronimo finally returned, but brought the burden of transporting stolen livestock with him from Mexico. Like, seriously Geronimo? That's how you're going to return after making a serious mistake after worrying (justifiably though) that you were really going to be treated worse? That event made me disappointed because I can understand both sides, but (Crook?) was kind enough to sell the stolen livestock and return to the earnings to the Mexican government in hopes of them finding their owners. He really bailed Geronimo out of that one.But stories like how Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Big Foot died are so sad because they could have been avoided. Not only were great leaders killed by white people, but mercenary and traitorous Indians also ratted out and killed them as well. But even traitors who helped the US were often later imprisoned, shipped off, and their families died en route to various reservations.There are so many swindling deals in land disputes and so many Indian Affairs agents had conned tribal leaders into signing bad deals. There was a lot of power in a treaty that stated any deal must have 3/4ths of adult Indian signatures, but the government knew how to take advantage of people. It seemed like the final deal in regards to Sitting Bull after his fame, was the one where tribal leaders "wised up" and told officials that they knew the US' plan to meet from tribe to tribe instead of a big council, but in the end, John Grass had convinced people to sign away their land at Standing Rock.There are many stories that are unbelievable, yet you can believe them even in the context of today's political situation. These things happened during a time of great consternation in America and every turn seemed to be a bad one. The quotes that Brown used throughout this book are so impactful and timeless that I'm really compelled to continue learning about the Native Americans. I'm so disheartened with the US's bloody history, but I think it's more important now than maybe it ever has been to study these things and try to make the world a better place, if we still can.Please read this book and let it engross you like it did me. There are many dates, names, and events that are very hard to keep track of, but the author recalls them briefly if someone or something is later mentioned.The only thing I wish was given a modern context with consistency is the naming of Moons, Months, and Seasons because the author will use the Indian name, but less than half the time include parentheses to tell the reader when that actually is. "Moon of the Big Leaves (April)" or "The Moon When Ducks Begin to Fly." Like, when the heck is that? Brown will only sometimes tell you that that special time is August.

More often than not, history learned is derived from the winning side of previous wars. American archives are no different when it comes to the bloody history between Native Americans and European settlers.Dee Brown’s, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee provides a thorough, firsthand account of many occurrences that stretch further than the infamous Trail of Tears. It was saddening to read how the Natives had been constantly lied to, deceived, framed, and brutally murdered over ultimately greed. However, it was incredible to discover various Native leaders who were certified badasses throughout turmoil and anguish. Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, Manuelito, Black Kettle, Roman Nose, Crazy Horse, Kintpuash, Little Raven, and so many more were highly inspirational.Mr. Brown also tied in how some Natives were painted as ‘savages’ for their retaliation methods from the Sand Creek massacre. Interestingly enough, the Natives merely mimicked what had been done to them (women and children included). Sadly, Dee added that some Natives defected to the U.S. government and betrayed their own kind. A deal with the devil, if you would.Overall, I feel like this book is an absolute must read and should even be implemented into the educational system as part of history classes. There’s no excuse as to why many of these brave Natives and their innocence have been overlooked in American history.

One of the best reads on Native American history.

Since visiting historical sites in South Dakota and Montana this past year, I’ve completed 15 books on the history of the American West. Books that covered the history of just New Mexico with Kit Carson and the Navajos; the history of Texas with Mackenzie and the Comanches, and all about South Dakota and the Sioux, culminating in the Battle of Little Big Horn.I read “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of American West” by Dee Brown years ago. It was the first book I ever read about the settling of the West. It opened my eyes and shocked me. I reread it as part of my summer reading this summer after my trip out West. It should be required reading by all, but not taken as Gospel. The book itself must be viewed in a historical light; it was the first book to tell the story from the Indian point of view. This is and was important; and the story is fascinating, and terribly sad and disturbing. It’s difficult reading, and not just for the content but also the style, which some may not like. I liked it.It tends to be a bit one-sided and lacking in neutral presentation. So while it accomplishes its goal to relate the history of the West from the native American side, it ignores some contradictory points, and skims over a more scholarly or in-depth, neutral analysis. It’s irrefutable that what we, as a growing nation, did to the Indians was outrageous and shameful, savage and unChristian, but there is so much more to the history. For example, Indian vs Indian warfare is not examined. Indeed, the same oppressors, the Whites, the Europeans, who fought, massacred, lied to and defeated the Indians, also provided the guns, tools and horses they needed and wanted to fight one another and better kill bison.I recommend this book very much, and enjoyed it and learned a great deal. But I urge readers to also explore other excellent books: by Sides, Philbrook, Cozzens and more. You’ll get a broader picture of history, from which you can draw your own thoughts and conclusions. I am horrified by the history of our interaction with the Indians. They were cruelly treated and abused. We were savages to them overall. But I recognize too that progress is inevitable; conflict and clashes are inevitable. This has been the history of the world since the beginning of time. Why did it have to be so horrible and savage here? I hope that readers will at the very least gain an appreciation of the native Americans, their sufferings and, like I did, go visit the historical landmarks out West to learn and to pay our respects.

So sad to read this book but necessary to understand the evil the white man brought to Amerika. Everybody should know about that and read it.

This book should be required reading in US schools. The tragedy that the native Americans lived through began when Columbus landed and never stopped until all their lands had been stolen from them. They endured massacres, displacements, starvation in order for the greed of white men to be satisfied.Highly recommended to anyone interested in US history and who might find here some understanding of what the USA has become.

The history written from the perspective of the native Americans, by using eyewitnesses, and official documents.A painful book to read, also one that teaches us some important lessons:The Native Indians teach us to respect nature, not to kill animals except when we need to eat them, and to keep nature intact as much as possible.The also teach us to stay true to your word. Whereas the Europeans took use of the native Americans' holding to their word, the latter learned the bad way that Europeans' promises meant nothing for them. You cannot but respect the native Americans for it.But also: unification brings strength, something the native Americans realised too late. As they were too shattered, too much fighting eachother on their borders, and not taking heed of their breathren's bad luck with the Europeans, they didn't act properly. It was too little too late. Not being unified, not having strong enough leaders to unite, except for a few...while one headchief would sign a peace treaty, some of his followers would take revenge on the Europeans for killing their loved ones...which made the Europeans in turn take revenge...on the chief who signed the peace treaty and had nothing to do with the murderers.The entire storyline is a big regret. People losing their homelands, being displaced, suffering from malnutrition and violent attacks. The last picture in the book completes the sadness: a grey-white picture of an old indian, written under it are his sad words:"They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never kept but one; they promised to take our land, and they took it."

Loved it. Ethnic cleansing. Poignant. The foundations of the oldest democracy on earth are based on genocide of the natives and racism. This is how the world works. Might is right.

There is more to "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" than an account of the indiscriminate massacre of Native American women, children and the elderly at Wounded Knee. Through nineteen chapters, Dee Brown exposes the devastating side of western expansion and its systematic destruction of the American Indians.Any image of the chivalry ascribed to the "Bluecoats" in Hollywood films and the romanticism associated with the Native Americans in popular lore is swiftly banished from the outset as contention of varying intensity faced by the Powhatans, Shawnees, Navahos, Sioux, Cheyennes, Arapahos, Apaches, Modocs, Kiowas, Comanches, Nez Percés, Poncas, Utes, and countless other tribes, at the hands of their tormentors unfold through the chapters. Each chapter deals with a specific unrelated conflict, but as a whole, sums up the Indian Wars.Dee Brown's account is compelling but makes for uneasy reading as the chapters unveil the full extent of the brutal and cruel inhumanity of the white man leveled at the Native Americans, irrespective of whether the Indian was "hostile" or friendly; a blatant disregard for life brought about by the blinding and fathomless lust for the wealth of the Natives.Despite the relentless harshness of the subject at hand there is a subtle poetic overtone in the form of the ubiquitous wisdom of the Native Americans, which permeates the pages in stark contrast to the arrogance and ignorance of their antagonists. Authenticity to the script as well as a certain charm is infused into the proceedings by referring to the white protagonists by their Native American names.Any man who thinks that the government will take care of him needs to take a closer look at the plight of the Native Americans at the hands of the U.S. authorities. This is a book to be read, neither for leisure nor as a substitute for a Spaghetti Western, but with grave concern to ensure that mankind does not debase itself any further by repeating its past mistakes; and for anyone with the power to make a difference, to take earnest steps to reinstate the American Indian's dignity in his own home.