41 pages • 1 hour read
John NeihardtBlack Elk Speaks
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1932A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Black Elk Speaks by John Neihardt is praised for vividly portraying the spiritual and cultural life of the Oglala Lakota through the perspective of Black Elk, a respected medicine man. Critics commend its poetic narrative and historical significance, though some question its accuracy and Neihardt's interpretive role. Overall, it's a compelling, though contested, work.
Who Should Read Black Elk Speaks?
A reader captivated by Native American history, spirituality, and memoirs will find Black Elk Speaks compelling. Comparable to Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and The Sacred Pipe, it appeals to those interested in indigenous perspectives and poetic storytelling.
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