Wovoka and the Ghost Dance

by Michael Hittman

A source book by Michael Hittman for the Yerington Paiute tribe.

Genres: Native American, Biography, History, Anthropology, American History

310 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

Reviews

[Melvin Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend Wovoka and the Ghost Dance. I read it when it first came out and I stuck a feather in the ground at the dorm at UNR and it rained for three days causing a big flood in Downtown Reno hahahaha :) I did not know Jack Wilson was my relative, so although Dr. Hittman does not know everything I was able to confirm some of his data and to learn the traditional Wobziwob Ceremony. Jack put his medicine down and Elders on the Walker River Paiute Indian reservation who were both Pakwi and Agi Tribes and his last granddaughter Virginia 'Ruby" Dick (Carillo) verified with me she does not authorize any Ghost Dances. Without this book many who are Ignorant, especially the OUTSIDERS would fabricate what we do know.

[Call Me Cordelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this as a source for my thesis (2003) on the Ghost Dance & Wounded Knee. Very informative.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read (and reread) this book as part of an extensive research project I engaged in for the current book I am writing, in which Wovoka is a main character. This is the best book about Wovoka and the Ghost Dance that I found, and includes extensive interviews and comments by people who knew him. Because he has been magnified as a historical character due to his supposed connection to the death of Sitting Bull and the Massacre at Wounded Knee, the disparity between that overplayed and exaggerated claim and who the man was, is amusing and instructive. A valuable and necessary sourcebook for anyone interested in the period, in the man, and in the phenomena of the Ghost Dance.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very valuable compendium of seemingly all the known research on Wovoka, the Paiute prophet who triggered the Ghost Dance phenomena of the early 1890s. Unfortunately its a bit of a cumbersome read as Hittman is an academic who presents his research in a pretty raw form, is a poor writer and comes to few if any conclusions about anything.
Nevertheless, if you're interested in Wovoka aka Jack Wilson its the definitive resource.

[Danél · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invaluable information about the legacy and teaching of one of the most important religious and civil rights leaders of the 20th century. Surprisingly scant info about the Massacre at Wounded Knee, which effectively ended his movement. Would have liked to have had more information about Wovoka's role leading up to the massacre; otherwise, this is the most comprehensive and balanced overview of the Ghost Dance Prophet.

[jonathan hover · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an academic treatise on the subject, but it was still very interesting. A personal study of Wovoka, very objective, lots of footnotes and interviews with locals who remembered him. Not the easiest read that I've met, but i liked it.

[Patrick Yurick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has been half read on my shelf for about a year and a half. Pretty dry, a history book.