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  • Black Elk

  • The Life of an American Visionary
  • Written by: Joe Jackson
  • Narrated by: Traber Burns
  • Length: 22 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (48 ratings)

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Black Elk

Written by: Joe Jackson
Narrated by: Traber Burns
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Publisher's Summary

Here is the epic life story of the Native American holy man who has inspired millions around the world.

Black Elk, the Native American holy man, is known to millions around the world from his 1932 testimonial, Black Elk Speaks. Adapted by the poet John Neihardt from a series of interviews, it is one of the most widely read and admired works of American Indian literature. Cryptic and deeply personal, it has been read as a spiritual guide, a philosophical manifesto, and a text to be deconstructed—while the historical Black Elk has faded from view.

In this sweeping book, Joe Jackson provides the definitive biographical account of a figure whose dramatic life converged with some of the most momentous events in the history of the American West.

Born in an era of rising violence, Black Elk killed his first man at Little Big Horn, witnessed the death of his second cousin Crazy Horse, and traveled to Europe with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Upon his return, he was swept up in the traditionalist Ghost Dance movement and shaken by the massacre at Wounded Knee. But Black Elk was not a warrior, and instead chose the path of a healer and holy man, motivated by a powerful prophetic vision that haunted and inspired him, even after he converted to Catholicism in his later years.

In Black Elk, Jackson has crafted a true American epic, restoring to Black Elk the richness of his times and gorgeously portraying a life of heroism and tragedy, adaptation and endurance, in an era of permanent crisis on the Great Plains.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016 Joe Jackson (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

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we are still here

a long but good listen. the narration was done well. it was hard to turn off at times. If you listen/read this book, black elk speaks is a necessity as well and vise versa. it is a sad tale but also one of hope. these books bring me closer to my old Cree culture. I am proud to be an "Indian".

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Absolutely gripping

Thanks to the Joe Rogan Podcast for mentioning this book. It was absolutely fascinating to hear an indigenous view of history such a rare glimpse into the medicine mans life.

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