Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buried My Heart, Too, 24 Feb 2007
I read this book over ten years ago and have read it a number of times since, and it just doesn't seem to lose any of its impact.
"Bury My Heart" is the harrowing tale of the systematic conning, concentrating and extermination of the Native Americans of the United States between the 1830s and 1870s.
Told chronologically, it relates tribe-by-tribe the incredible levels of deep-seated racism and greed displayed by white prospectors, settlers, soldiers and politicians as they carved up the vast land of North America into its component states and territories in their boardrooms and forts, with the Native Americans trampled underfoot along the way.
Not legally recognised as "people" (with the sole exception of Standing Bear, who managed to become a person only through legal action), the indiginous occupants of North America were confronted by soldiers tribe by tribe, and told to move out of the place they lived, and onto a reservation - or be killed. The Native Americans who agreed ended up on reservation land which was no use to the whites - that it, no use for hunting, farming, or living. The rations fed to them were not fit for human consumption, and on some reservations, most simply died from disease or starvation. Those who tried to complain, resist, or leave were imprisoned or killed. For the Native Americans that fought, they resisted long and hard but eventually they became vastly outnumbered. Originally they were only a few million in number themselves, but with another ten million new white faces arriving each and every year over the period written about, the already rapidly-diminished native population found itself up against unconquerable odds.
Dee Brown wrote this originally in 1970, when Native Americans were still termed "Indians", and there are references to "squaws" and "heap big soldiers" that probably wouldn't be found in a more modern treatise. Nevertheless it's a hugely important piece of work that exposes the early movers and shakers in an embryonic United States, for the lies, greed and deep racism that they indulged in.
An absolute must-read.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating yet utterly appalling tale of Native Americans, 9 Oct 2005
I love how Dee Brown has chosen a mounted Native American warrior as his cover picture, as this drew my attention to his book. I feel it presents the right image, that of a strong, proud and noble warrior belonging to such a tribe. I liked the inclusion of a map at the beginning of the book, charting the significant battles, rivers, territories and settlements of the time. The inclusion of photographs was inspiring, and I found that this helped me to envisage each chapter whilst allowing me to study in particular some of the more famous Native American chiefs I have heard or read about. Hundreds of quotes appear at the beginning and throughout each chapter from both Native Americans and white Americans. This, I believe, is an essential part of any non-fiction novel, as many books are naturally written through the eyes of their author or historians of another background, leaving a biased view. This ensures that effectively, the Native Americans have told much of their own story, which is vital. Furthermore, with most views of the USA having come and coming from white Americans alone, it is a refreshing change and a well deserved chance for old voices to be heard. The song at the end of each chapter is another thoughtful way of tapping into Native American culture. There are war songs and tribal dances, and if you're musical you can play them, as the notes are all there!! There is also a complex bibliography for those who want more detailed information. Dee Brown has put a great deal of work into this book and I hope he is extremely proud of it. I will be buying it and I shall read it again. There is such an abundance of information and numerous people are mentioned (he gives so many the centre stage, I admire that) that I know I will have missed something, as one can when one reads a piece of literature only once. This book is a breakthrough and would be an essential part of any historical research.
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book took me on a quest that lasted 16 years!, 28 Oct 1998
By A Customer
I first read this book in 1981, when a friend showed it to me almost as soon as I set foot on American soil from England. From it I learned how awful the Native Americans had been treated in America, and I wanted to learn more, so I travelled around the country visiting Native people in their own homes and reservations. I made many wonderful friends, including my Dakota partner. The book doesn't lie, I have heard those same stories from the mouths of elders and young alike. Passed down through their families, the stories still live on. Dee Brown has written a book about these same stories, he does it in a way that makes us all sit and think. After reading the book again, it has the same effect on my soul, except now it is more personal as I have visited the places in the book and heard the voices too. I am back in England now, my quest has ended but my love for this book will never end. Read it and start your own quest off, please.
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