Customer Reviews (1)

Small book with a BIG impact.
Being part Native American, I thourghly enjoy the history, lore and mystical aspects of the culture. This book was originally written in 1911 by Charles Alexander Eastman, or Ohiyesa. This book is really the mind or thoughts of Ohiyesa. He lived in the "Indian" world (Sioux), and the white man's world and was amazed at the things the white man did and his reasons for it. Still, he understood the white man's thinking. Here he explainsthe Native American thinking on subjects form raising children to death. He was born to a Sioux tribe and raised in their culture, and later sent to the white man's schools, including college, by an uncle. He understands both "worlds" , and has the language of a poet to describe them to us. If you ever wanted to know what the Native Americans were thinking 100 years ago when the white man was industrializing their beautiful countryside, then read this wonderful little book. This book is packed with so much insight. You may even learn something that you can use today in your life. ... Read more

Book Description
This revised and updated edition contains the most important writings of Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa), the first Native American author to live simultaneously in both the traditional world of the Santee Sioux and the modern civilization of the white man. Dr. Eastman also attended the injured at the Battle of Wounded Knee. Ohiyesa's works represent a complete explanation of the philosophy and moral code of the Plains Indian. Ohiyesa's message speaks to every person who seeks a spiritual way in the midst of a society increasingly dominated by materialism and industrial technology. Sun Dance chief, James Trosper writes, It is a small miracle that these important spiritual teachings have been preserved for us.This new edition contains 10 sepia photographs from Eastman's life and a thought-provoking foreword by Raymond Wilson. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Amazing work from Charles Eastman
The author has changed my ideas of who the American Indians are. I was swept away by the descriptions and mesmerized by the spiritual life of a people who were closer to God than I ever imagined.This book should beread at schools and universities. Their history is vital to understand who all of us are.

An essential addition to any Native American or spirituality holding.
Michael Oren Fitzgerald edits THE ESSENTIAL CHARLES EASTMAN, which revises and updates a classic edition containing the writings of the first American Indian medical doctor and co-founder of the Boy Scouts of America. He was the only American Indian author raised to young adulthood in the nomadic lifestyle of the pre-reservation area: this survey includes a biography, complete bibliography of his works, new sepia photos from his life, and more: an essential addition to any Native American or spirituality holding. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

MUST READ!!
This book outlines the Lakota spirituality before the "white man" came. Excellent read although it puts some of it in a rose-colored light. ... Read more

Book Description
Charles Eastman was a physician and writer who helped found the Boy Scouts. His life with an Indian mother taught him the culture of the American Indian. In this book Eastman, a Santee Sioux Indian, talks about his childhood as an Indian and his training as a warrior.At age 15 Eastman left his culture and all that he knew to begin life in the white man's world. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent
Very profound words of wisdom written over 100 years ago.An excellent read and reference to timeless knowledge that crosses over all cultures.I would recommend this book for one's private library or for a great gift.

Ths book is an edited version.
This book is good, but has been heavily edited.

I would recommend against buying this book, but instead buy "The Soul Of an Indian" Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa); published by University of Nebraska Press; ISBN: 0803267010.

Ohiyesa puts his spirituality in simple words without getting bogged down in ceremonies by rote, and dogma.

I HIGHLY recommend the writings by Ohiyesa. Just not this heavily edited version.

I encourage questions and comments via E-Mail. Two Bears.

The Soul of an Indian (C.A.Eastman)
If one wants to know what it is "really" like to have the problems of a drug addict, one doesn't ask the therapist (sorry), but rather the addict. Only a true Native American can explain the life, in its many aspects, of a Native American----and, although we have many examples of the wisdom of Native American chiefs, few attain the level, from a philosophical/religious view, as does Ohiyesa (C. Eastman). He is truly a poet in the simplicity of the words he uses, while simultaneously imparting a veritable glimpse of the meaning behind his words. For this reason alone, he, I believe, will be time-honored, when one wants to get a view of Native American life in the future.
Sadly, but perhaps necessarily, Ohiyesa was torn between two worlds---the white (education and profession, as well as residence in the East) and his heritage, which he felt bound to,as the atrocities continued to unfold in his lifetime, some of which he experienced firsthand.
For persons of "a certain ilk", I believe that the many people who respect the wisdom of "The Prophet" (Khalil Gibran)will equally respect this writing.

Excellent reading challenges your life purposes
The presentation of the indians life and purpose will challenge a persons prespectives of life and the purpose to which all of us have been called. Do you live a life of love or are we so drawn to the material and successorientations of this world that we have lost perspective of the realpurpose of life?Ohiyesa will challenge each of us to look into yourselvesand ask the question do I truly care for what is right or are my valuesbased upon what I have acquired.Do I walk in truth or do I live a lie? Do I care for my neighbor or do I only think of myself?Do I see God inwhat has been created or do I deny His existence?Ohiyesa, willchallenge the very foundations of western society and our ways of thinking. He challenges the christian and the church as presented in our societytoday.Do we live as Christ, or do we use Christ to obtain control?Ifound this book a great treasure of clear thinking and profound statementsthat make me question the values that I have what of you? ... Read more

Book Description
By the first Native American author to live simultaneously in both the traditional world of the Sioux and modern white civilization.Download Description
This book combines for the first time the most important writings of Ohiyesa (Charles Eastman), the first Native American author to live simultaneously in both the traditional world of the Santee Sioux and the modern civilization of the white man. Ohiyesa's works represent the most complete explanation of the philosophy and moral code of the Plains Indian. Providing much of the basis of our knowledge of their sacred world view in which 'we are all related,' they sound a profoundly spiritual note which speaks directly to the ecological crisis and the de-humanization of man so often discussed in our time. On a deeper level, Ohiyesa's message speaks to every person who seeks a spiritual way in the midst of a society increasingly dominated by materialism and industrial technology. It was around the turn of the twentieth century that he wrote, "It is my personal belief, after thirty-five years' experience of it, that there is no such thing as 'Christian civilization.' I believe that Christianity and modern civilization are opposed and irreconcilable, and that the spirit of Christianity and of our ancient religion is essentially the same." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

From traditionally raised prereservation Native to physician
I have read quite a few books on traditional native practices from all over the world (not all of those which claim to teach or describe such practices are accurate, quite a few are misguided or outright frauds).I had come across the name Charles Eastman in bibliographies and indices of those works that featured Native North American practices, and thought he was an anthropologist (white) who had done some of the earlier studies, given that many of the works had a publication date in the early 1900s."Light on the Indian World" corrected that misperception.Charles Eastman was a member of the Santee Sioux, born and raised to the age of 15 in the traditional tribal manner, in a tribe that had not yet been forced onto a reservation.

At the request of his father, he joined his father on a reservation, attended school and learned English, then was able to attend college and university, eventually becoming a medical doctor, probably the first Native American to become one.He then returned to his people and worked as a reservation physician, and later lobbyist for native issues in Congress.

What a wonderful gift he has given us!A double digit number of books by his own hand, plus others such as "Light on the Indian World" which are excellent compilations or commentaries of his works.He allows us to see inside the world of the pre-reservation Native Americans, and truly appreciate their world view, such as their relationship with what we might call `the unseen world'.A heart-felt appreciation of the Earth and Nature is exactly what contemporary industrialized nations need, to slow-down the rampant abuse of the Earth's natural resources, which are currently being used up at a rate far exceeding the capacity of the Earth to replace them.Such abuse can only lead to the destruction of those societies founded on the consumption of such resources, and requiring their continued consumption in order to survive.All of the works of Charles Eastman help us see the world around us in a new light, and hopefully change our actions enough to prevent the coming environmental devastation.

Brings out key insights in Charles Eastman's work
Light On The Indian World: The Essential Writings Of Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa) is a collection of the writings of Charles Eastman, who was born in 1858 and raised in the traditional nomadic life of the Sioux Native Americans prior to the era of reservations. Critical selections from "The Soul of the Indian," "The Indian Today," "Indian Boyhood," and "From the Deep Woods to Civilization" bring out key insights in Charles Eastman's work that transcend time and generations. Light On The Indian World is a fascinating, engaging, informative and memorable addition to personal, academic, and community library Native American Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Autobiography of Ohiyesa
If you have read the writings of Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman); I HIGHLY recommend this book to you.

It helped me understand the forces that shaped this man.

My favorite areas are

The assorted photos of his father "Many Lightnings", his wife, his son Ohiyesa at the age of 5.

Events that occured while he was attending school in the East, and the bigotry he encountered from "SOME" white people.

Events where he served as a medical doctor on the Pine Ridge reservation, and caring for the survivors of the Wounded Knee masacre in 1890.

Events where he traveled among various indian nations to get items used by indians for museums.

Events where he worked with the Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls.

And much more.

If this book is your introduction to the writings of Ohiyesa; I would recommend that your next purchase would be "The Soul Of The Indian".

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

From the deep woods to civilization
There are certainly not enough autobiographies of Native Americans, and few that can compare with Eastman's story and journey to find civilization. As Eastman follows Christianity and the White Man's Civilization, he findshimself realizing the paradox of the two worlds. Upon returning to a morecivilized world, he gives a captivating look at how Jesus was an Indian andhow different the White world and Native American world was during hislife. A perfect self-enlightenment book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Small book
This was a very small book of short quotes from Indians.It was mildly interesting but not as inspirational as I thought it would be.

Listen. Just listen and learn A Reverence For All Life
This is the way first nations taught their young. Listen, watch, let the meaning come to you. Don't grab for it. Have patience. Kent Nerburn gathered these pieces as a first step, a primer.
Here is a way for many to become aquainted with the high moral standard of a people who could not come to terms with the devistation, abuse and total disregard the northern europeans had for all that was sacred and essential to the Indians.
This is an opportunity to learn first hand the lesson that an ancestor might have gifted to you, and to decide what it means to your life and what you will do with this great gift.
Learning and following this guidance has brought many people closer to finding their own paths and a greater sense of freedom and peace.

There is a second book which also includes writings of others and Great Speeches of Leaders that should be read. "The Wisdom of The Native Americans"

The wisdom of the People
I have read the book and I have listened to the audio cassette, and while I recommend both, I find that I prefer the audio version. That is because, as the introduction points out, the Native American tradition was primarly a verbal one. This is magnificent, poetic, oratory and needs to be read aloud. And for a change, the audio version is totally unabridged. Moreover, the musical interludes by Carlos Nakai could not be more appropriate.

There is deep wisdom to these words of chiefs and holy men. There is nothing quaint or dated to these words. They are timeless. These people knew exactly what western civilization represented- they saw right through it and knew what it must lead to. Yet, they did not submit to it's slavery of spirit and body.

These men knew the Great Mystery first hand- they knew where the center of the world was.

Hoka Hey....

Changed my outlook on life
This is a wonderful little book. All quotations are printed in meditation format, and some are no longer than a few brief paragraphs. Others are as long as a page. They all rejuvenate my mind, like sitting next to a crystal stream in the forest. The font, spacing, and layout of the book are exquisite.

This book has meant so much to me for almost a decade. I still remember the time I found this book, and my initial reaction to the quotes within; imagine, a time when there were no high-rises on the American landscape, indeed, a time before it was called "America." A world before pollution and overpopulation were concerns. This afforded a connection with the world and a spiritual experience that none of us will ever truly know. This world is now gone, and if not for books like this its memory would not be preserved. This book helped make me more aware of Indian/Native American thought.

When the commotion of the world around you is overwhelming you, this book makes for a great escape. Especially insightful is the quote that reads, "We do not want churches because they will teach us to argue about God."

This book is a gem.

Rock on!
This book is fantastic!If you are considering purchasing it then do not hesitate. It is full of things that made me think. It is very educational and practical.I love it!It is helpful because it has such intellegent information in it.There are different passages in it from different Native Americans. There are several chapters, and background information about the Native Americans that were quoted in the book.I think it is an awesome book, and it had a great impact on me after reading it. ... Read more