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.
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From the Publisher
Dee Brown: A Life
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Brown in the 20'sBrown in the early 1920s. (Photo courtesy of the Dee Brown LLC.) |
WW2 PortraitA portrait of Brown taken during World War II. |
Brown with GrandsonBrown with his grandson, Nicolas Wolfe, in 1972. He dedicated Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee to Nicolas. (Photo courtesy of Linda Luise Brown.) |
Reviews with images
History at It’s Best!
“Heartbreaking”, by the New York Times is an understatement. The stories in this book will leave the one captivated and at a loss for words at the cruelty and unbelievable lack of compassion for another race of people. People of all backgrounds would find this reading a valuable asset to teach the young about the tragedy of the history of our beloved indigenous people. Dee Brown captures the heart of the feelings during each confrontation and battle. With words, he brings life to those who lived and breathed those journeys. This is a must read for any person who has interest in discovering the many battles fought by white army’s in a successful attempt to round up, re-structure and re-locate indignant people’s, just for their land and to force them to live a “civilized” way.A very good read and teaching tool.
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