David Treuer’s The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee provides a compelling narrative that reframes Native American history with cultural richness and contemporary perspectives. Readers appreciate the blend of historical detail and personal stories, though some find its dense information overwhelming. Overall, it revitalizes an essential American narrative.

Readers who relish comprehensive historical narratives with a focus on Native American perspectives will appreciate David Treuer’s The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee. Fans of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Charles Mann’s 1491 will find this book compelling for its blend of history, culture, and personal stories.

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer offers a comprehensive narrative of Indigenous history from 1890 to the present, emphasizing Indigenous resilience and agency rather than portraying them solely as victims. Drawing inspiration from the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre and Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Treuer counters Brown’s tragic narrative by documenting Indigenous communities’ endurance and adaptation in the face of displacement, forced assimilation, and cyclical poverty. The book delves into the long history of Indigenous tribes, their interactions with European settlers, and the continuous challenges and triumphs faced, including the rise of the American Indian Movement and the diverse ways Indigenous people have found prosperity in contemporary times. The text includes descriptions of historical violence and systemic oppression.

Informative / Contemplative / Emotional / Mysterious / Inspirational

David Treuer

Adult

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Nonfiction

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Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Prologue Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “Narrating the Apocalypse: 10,000 BCE-1890”

Part 1 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Purgatory: 1891-1934”

Part 2 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Fighting Life: 1914-1945”

Part 3 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Moving On Up—Termination and Relocation: 1945-1970”

Part 4 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Becoming Indian: 1970-1990”

Part 5 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Boom City—Tribal Capitalism in the Twenty-First Century”

Part 6 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “Digital Indians: 1990-2018”

Part 7 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Part 7 Summary & Analysis

Epilogue

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

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Themes

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Themes

Index of Terms

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee Essay Topics

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee?

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Book Details