Questions About Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

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Answered Questions (8)

I'm currently reading this book and I'm having trouble placing all the landmarks b/c that author doesn't reference present-day locations. Anybody know of a map that shows the locations referenced?

Tarah Hi- 2 years late, but I had the same question (so maybe you'll get the update that I've responded). I had serious problems placing events (being both …moreHi- 2 years late, but I had the same question (so maybe you'll get the update that I've responded). I had serious problems placing events (being both generally bad at geography and at remembering things). So I went through and MADE annotations to maps wherever I could. I've shared it on a Google Doc. If folks find any others, please let me know!
PS: I'm updating this link in this comment so it's open source-- you can make edits to this doc to add any other links/maps uyou find! https://docs.google.com/document/d/0B...(less)

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I want to read this, too. Can't believe I still haven't. Dad said that he has.

Granny Not every book is a big pile of happy. This book is noteworthy on a number of levels, not the least of which was that it was the first to tell the sto…moreNot every book is a big pile of happy. This book is noteworthy on a number of levels, not the least of which was that it was the first to tell the story of the West from the point of view of Native People and receive widespread attention for it. It became associated with AIM (The American Indian Movement) and the retaking of Wounded Knee in protest in the late 1960's / early 1970's.

All my textbooks growing up were whitewashed (forgive the pun). This book blew me away. I was proud to be able to give a copy to an Apache friend of mine before he passed away. It meant a lot to him, he said it was the first time he saw the truth written down in a book.

In any situation, looking at a situation from a new point of view broadens the mind and deepens the understanding. This is one of the great books of history of all time.(less)

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I am having trouble keeping my interest level up although I do very much like reading about history. Just got through chapter 1. I feel like it's a barrage of facts related to European atrocities without a compelling historiographical narrative. It's about cruelty for sure, but so far the book is all over the map (literally). Is the rest of the book more of the same?

Julia I would recommend tackling it one chapter at a time, as in general each chapter after chapter one tells the story of what happened to a single culture…moreI would recommend tackling it one chapter at a time, as in general each chapter after chapter one tells the story of what happened to a single culture or tribe at a time. Also to have wikipedia up to research before and after each chapter. There are many people and places and situations can completely change within a few pages, so I'd definitely set aside some time to make sure you can finish the chapter in one sitting (coming back in the middle does not work) (less)

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I was taught to use the term Native American instead of Indian but the book uses Indian throughout. Is this because it was written in 1970 and wasn't revised or did I learn this wrong?

Dscotthep Here's a helpful link:
https://www.nativeknot.com/news/Nativ...

Which reads (in part):
"“Native American” became the preferred “politically correct” term…moreHere's a helpful link:
https://www.nativeknot.com/news/Nativ...

Which reads (in part):
"“Native American” became the preferred “politically correct” terminology in the 1970s.

This term emphasizes that hundreds of individual tribes inhabited the land now known as the United States of America before anyone else. In other words, they’re native to this land.

Still, many Indigenous people object to this term because it’s a name assigned by white oppressors. It also categorizes them as Americans, a name they didn’t choose.

Some choose instead to reclaim “Indian” or “American Indian” to describe their ancestry.

Which should you use?

Generally speaking, both “American Indian” and “Native American” are OK to use. Both refer to the Indigenous peoples of America.

That said, the best term to use in a given situation usually comes down to preference — not your personal preference, but the preference of the person you’re speaking with."

And here's a fun link to a short Youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh88f...(less)

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are any of the atrocities described sexual in nature? Trying to determine age appropriateness.

Shanna Mae Yes. In a couple of the massacres, the soldiers cut off some women’s genitals, and raped others before killing them. It doesn’t dwell on it, nor are t…moreYes. In a couple of the massacres, the soldiers cut off some women’s genitals, and raped others before killing them. It doesn’t dwell on it, nor are there graphic descriptions, but it is mentioned.(less)

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