Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition

by John G. Neihardt

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Book Overview: Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition

Black Elk Speaks, the story of the Oglala Lakota visionary and healer Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950) and his people during momentous twilight years of the nineteenth century, offers readers much more than a precious glimpse of a vanished time. Black Elk’s searing visions of the unity of humanity and Earth, conveyed by John G. Neihardt, have made this book a classic that crosses multiple genres. Whether appreciated as the poignant tale of a Lakota life, as a history of a Native nation, or as an enduring spiritual testament, Black Elk Speaks is unforgettable.

Black Elk met the distinguished poet, writer, and critic John G. Neihardt in 1930 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and asked Neihardt to share his story with the world. Neihardt understood and conveyed Black Elk’s experiences in this powerful and inspirational message for all humankind.

This complete edition features a new introduction by historian Philip J. Deloria and annotations of Black Elk’s story by renowned Lakota scholar Raymond J. DeMallie. Three essays by John G. Neihardt provide background on this landmark work along with pieces by Vine Deloria Jr., Raymond J. DeMallie, Alexis Petri, and Lori Utecht. Maps, original illustrations by Standing Bear, and a set of appendixes rounds out the edition.

More than one million copies sold
2017 One Book One Nebraska selection

“An American classic.”–Western Historical Quarterly

ISBN-13	9780803283916
ISBN-10	0803283911
Publisher	Bison Books
Publication Date	2014-03-01
Edition	Complete ed.
Language	en
Pages	424
Dimensions	in x in x in
Weight	lbs

Editorial Reviews

“Black Elk Speaks is an extraordinarily human document–and beyond that the record of a profoundly spiritual journey, the pilgrimage of a people toward their historical fulfillment and culmination, toward the accomplishment of a worthy destiny.”–N. Scott Momaday

“An American classic.”–Western Historical Quarterly

“If any great religious classic has emerged in [the twentieth] century or on this continent, it must certainly be judged in the company of Black Elk Speaks.”–from Vine Deloria Jr.’s foreword

About the Author

John G. Neihardt

John G. Neihardt, celebrated as the “Poet Laureate of Nebraska,” is renowned for his significant contributions as a novelist, poet, and literary critic. Born on January 8, 1881 in Illinois, Neihardt’s passion for literature developed early with the support of his mother, an amateur poet herself. His early career was diverse, exploring roles as a newspaper editor, a poetry teacher, and an editorial assistant while nurturing his unique voice in poetry.

Neihardt was perhaps best known for his impeccable work, ‘Black Elk Speaks,’ a poignant narrative that told the story of a Lakota medicine man which captivated audiences worldwide, compelling an empathetic understanding of Native American culture. He also created captivating poetic sagas, such as the critically acclaimed ‘A Cycle of the West,’ which lionize the pioneering spirit and epic struggles of his boyhood plains.

His passion for literature continued throughout Neihardt’s life, resulting in his monumental influence on American literature. In addition to his writing, he served as Nebraska’s Poet Laureate for 50 years, further cementing his literary legacy. His profound appreciation for human struggle, connection, and perseverance in the face of adversity shines brightly in his unparalleled body of work, reminding us of the indomitable spirit of humanity. Today, Neihardt’s works continue to inspire and captivate readers, promising his enduring impact and relevance in the literary world.