Great Speeches by Native Americans (Dover Thrift Editions: Speeches/Quotations)

Great collection of speeches, especially during the early period. The physical properties of the book are themselves excellent. Book seems thicker than it really is if you think in terms of page count. The price oscillates a lot so the review generally holds for when the book is priced around $3 +-0.25.Just some food for thought. I noticed that a lot of the reviews are written with an already pre-existing ideological outlook. Without getting into the issues surrounding the fate that befell the people who were present in North and South America before the rest of the world migrated over, I would like to say that the speeches are written/spoken from a perspective of weakness. This does not besmirch the orators or the people that they represent, but when the weaker appeals to the stronger the tone taken is designed to appeal to ones sensibilities and common values, i.e., that destroying us destroys or harms you or your/our god, gods, or God, etc. You actually see a lot of appeal to a universal, common godhead in the speeches. Basically, it comes done to salesmanship to get the "buy-in" of the stronger to stop.What does this mean? Basically, if you take it at face value it does not give an accurate portrayal of the culture of the people involved. One already sees gross generalizations in the reviews and comments to the reviews ("Native Americans," "Whites"). Many different cultural units were involved. At best, the rhetorical style of each unit might be gleaned out of the speeches, but like I said as goes for any conflict in World History, outside of direct defiance, the weaker always tries to appeal their case in very noble and sweet language; therefore, generalizations can become problematic.Anyway, great book! It will make anyone's personal library more enlightened and enchanted.

a surprising and valuable collection of examples of the intelligence, wit, and wisdom of American Indians encountered by the first colonizers. I wish examples like this were taught in American schools. Most people don't know how quickly American Indians learned English, French, and Spanish or how they came to understand what future might lay ahead, and how to deal with the new invaders.

The history of native americans under the US government is not exactly pretty. I was certainly award of speeches that have been recorded (e.g. Chief Joseph). But this was an eye opener. The pain and outrage of the native americans is palpable in numerous speeches, each one sounding as though the writer was extremely capable. Definitely rate this A+: It's more heartbreaking than "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee" because it shows statements from a broad range of tribes, areas, and time periods. A must read if you can "handle the truth". (imo).

Inexpensive but rich in humanity, a depressing but very good read, historical but with contemporary relevance. I spent many evenings over the past several months reading a couple speeches at a time. This is a book to be read slowly, not in one or two sittings. Read it slowly and carefully, and take in the 500 years of disaster, both intended and unintended, that Native Americans have experienced in the face of colonization and ethnic cleansing. For those interested in Native voices in response to such sickening, unmitigated power, I can't think of a better way to spend $5.00 or $6.00 than on this great Dover thrift edition collection edited by Bob Blaisdell.

I love the Dover Thrift Editions - they are so affordable and comprise truly great classics of literature. I have been slowly collecting the series and "Great Speeches by Native Americans" is one of my favorites in the series. It contains about 82 speeches that cover approximately five centuries of history of the encounters between Native Americans and non-indigenous peoples.The collection of speeches here range from emotionally stirring speeches by great leaders of the Native Americans such as Red Cloud's "The Great Spirit Made Us Both" in 1870 and Sitting Bull's "The Life My People Want is a Life of Freedom" in 1882, to lesser known orators and even unnamed ones. Each speech is preceded by the context in which it was given, which provides valuable historical insight in and of itself.This is a must-read volume that will provide insights into the Native American culture and history. It should also be required reading in schools.

A very well constructed chronology of the violence and brutality that was perpetrated upon the First Nations in the creation of the US. The entire shameful atrocity can really be summed up by Sitting Bull's observation that "the love of possessions is a disease in them." Read the rest of "Behold, my friends, the spring has come" and tell me if this great leader didn't foresee into the very heart of the corporate country that was to blossom in the 20th century. Account after account of generosity met with deceit, honor and courage repaid with butchery, and moderation overwhelmed by greed.I am reminded of Russel Means' statement that we are all on the reservation now. See what awaits you...unless you can muster the defiance of a Black Hawk or Tecumseh.

The speeches are sometimes brilliant. Not always easy to understand but definitely worth reading

Some of these stories are funny; others, many others, will break your heart.The way the native Americans were treated by the Europeans, and now by us, is nothing short of appalling. We should be ashamed. Not only should we be ashamed, we need to change what we have done to them. Never happen. American indifference has become the norm. Shame on us. They gave us much, including honor, friendship and trust. If you don't know what we gave them in return, read the book!

My mum will love this for xmas.

Moving and inspiring words that touch the heart and speak to the soul

Very interesting book.

Ein Streifzug durch verschiedene Zeiten und Lebensumständer nativen Bevölkerung Nordamerikas. Viele bekannte Redner, aber auch eben jene Stimmen, die im Allgemeinen sanft umd zart über die Prärie wehten, kommen hierin zu Wort.Sprachlich schön aufgebaute, inhaltlich tiegehende, bewegende und politische, manchmal auch alltägliche Reden werden wiedergegeben und stets in den Kontext ihrer Entsteheung und/oder Tradierung gesetzt.Qualitativ kann man an dem Buch nichts aussetzen, wie viele englischsprachige Bücher ist das Papier etwas dünner und die Druckqualität etwas "faseriger", aber das stellt kein Hindernis dar...

It is a nice book. Covers topics from wife abuse, peace talks, modivation and war.