Black Elk Speaks

Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, The Premier Edition

By: John G. Neihardt

Narrated by: Robin Neihardt

The famous life story of the Lakota healer and visionary, Nicholas Black Elk.

Widely hailed as a spiritual classic, this inspirational and unfailingly powerful story reveals the life and visions of the Lakota healer Nicholas Black Elk (1863–1950) and the tragic history of his Sioux people during the epic closing decades of the Old West. In 1930, the aging Black Elk met a kindred spirit, the famed poet, writer, and critic John G. Neihardt (1881–1973) on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The Lakota elder chose Neihardt to share his visions and life with the world. Neihardt understood and today Black Elk is known to all.

Black Elk’s remarkable great vision came to him during a time of decimation and loss, when outsiders were stealing the Lakotas’ land, slaughtering buffalo, and threatening their age-old way of life. As Black Elk remembers all too well, the Lakotas, led by such legendary men as Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, fought unceasingly for their freedom, winning a world-renowned victory at the Little Bighorn and suffering unspeakable losses at Wounded Knee.

Black Elk Speaks however is more than the epic history of a valiant Native nation. It is beloved as a spiritual classic because of John Neihardt’s sensitivity to Black Elk’s resounding vision of the wholeness of earth, her creatures, and all of humanity. Black Elk Speaks is a once-in-a-lifetime read: the moving story of a young Lakota boy before the reservation years, the unforgettable history of an American Indian nation, and an enduring spiritual message for us all.

The premier edition features the first-ever annotated edition of Black Elk’s story, done by renowned Lakota scholar Raymond J. DeMallie, the original Standing Bear illustrations and new commentary on them, new maps of the world of Black Elk Speaks, and a revised index.

©2008 The John G. Neihardt Trust (P)2014 Skyyrim Studios

An insightful glimpse

This was an insightful glimpse into the struggles of our natives in this land. My heart breaks for what they had endured and continue to face in modern days. This was not that long ago that these horrible deeds went unpunished, and yet we seem to have forgotten already. More of these truth telling novels should be brought to light.

amazing!

This is an important piece of history for all Americans. The story was heartbreaking but I'm glad I listened.

Riveting story with superb oration

Would you consider the audio edition of Black Elk Speaks to be better than the print version?

Yes and no, I would like to be able to highlight the important parts to go back and reference them later. I do absolutely love the ability to work and listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Black Elk Speaks?

The telling of the last visions.

Any additional comments?

The performance of Audible was horrible and left me Frustrated by having to start it all over again every time it stopped. It stopped every 5-10 minutes, sometimes more often. I got Audible because I have no time to read and wanted to be able to listen while I work. This makes it almost impossible.

Visions of great importance for all humanity

Where does Black Elk Speaks rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is profound wisdom shared on how to live and why as an whole humanity. It gives an overview on the paths taken in the past and what the consequences have been, but also shares the vision of the future path.

What other book might you compare Black Elk Speaks to and why?

The visions shared reminded me of those shared in the Bible by Jesaia mostly and in parts those of the book of revelations.

What about Robin Neihardt’s performance did you like?

The book is excellently read.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

So far the mechanics on how the land was stolen bit by bit by people that were sent out and used to perform the dirty work of an agenda so full of malice towards the human spirit creating fear and chaos (the baseline of manipulation) It is revealing of the mechanics used now most visibly in Africa to gain control over health (mental and physical), food producing areas, assets of minerals, of energy.

Hooka hay

Wow to have witnessed so much of our history, Black Elks story was such a learning experience. If you want to experience what it must have been like back then please give it a listen. I didn’t know he went to Europe, and then lived with a family for a short while and the story about Wounded Knee, the killing of Women and Children so sad.
Hooks hay

my heart cries

it felt like he was telling the stories to me, and I am sad with him.

Honorable
Noble

Moving

This book moved me to tears. An incredible, poignant and enlightening account of Black Elk's life and the fate of his people. Hearing this history first hand from someone who lived it was powerful and revealing.

I didn't enjoy the flat and monotone style of the narration, however this did not diminish the significance of the words for me.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in Native America history and Black Elk's life as a young man.

a nice first hand bit of history.

as I've gotten older it's been easier to piece together the history of the world. I always enjoy hearing a first-hand account and what was happening at the time. I enjoyed the fact they talked so much about food. sometimes we forget how important not being hungry is.
another example of injustice in the world.

Black Elk Melancholy

After listening to a history podcast about Crazy Horse. I wanted a deeper understanding of the Lakota.

Black Elk Speaks is a rich story of pain and sorrow. Through Black Elk's eyes you see the misery the Lakota's suffer. Much of the story is Black Elk's spiritual journey. Black Elk shares his spiritual visions with his audience. He talks of the good he does as result of his vision. He speaks modestly and honestly about losing his way, how hard it is to follow a single vision an entire lifetime. It seems losing his way troubled him a lot.

Black Elk thought his vision was about bringing his people together in happiness. Perhaps this book is a part of fulfilling his vision.

A haunting story

To hear the words of Black Elk is so moving and sad indeed! May his vision yet be realized...for all.