killing of the flower moon

by grann

Genres: Nonfiction, History

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Jan Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a book to read in the middle of a pandemic and the uproar following the death ofGeorge Floyd. Unlike other Native American tribes, the Osage Indians purchased their land from the U.S. government. The attorney for the Osage, who negotiated the deal, specifically required that all mineral rights be included with the sale. Then oil was discovered under the Osage land. As a result, Osage tribal members became among the richest people in the world--except the U.S. Congress--ostensibly to protect the Osage, instituted guardianship system, so that instead of receiving access to their money, the money was distributed to guardians appointed by the courts to manage "incompetent" tribal members' share of the oil royalties. Then, the Osage began to die. Some were shot--obvious murders. Other apparently young, healthy individuals sickened and died for no apparently reason. A few showed signs of strychnine poison, but no tests were ever done. Finally, after a family was murdered when their home was bombed, and nothing was done by local law enforcement, the infant federal investigation agency became involved. The result of their investigation is nothing less than chilling. It certainly showed me just how endemic and blatant corruption can become. I've always disregarded conspiracy theories. Now, I'm not so sure. I'd definitely recommend this book.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story of greed, murder, lies, etc. perpetrated by the white man against the Osage Natives. It is another sad part of the American History of Racism. It was very hard to read for me.

The Osage people found oil on their land in Oklahoma. They became very rich people but the Government forced them to have "wards", who were white in most cases, to help them manage their own money. They had to get permission to spend their own money. There was a huge spider web of white people who wanted this money so some of them married Osage men and women then poisoned them, bombed them, shot them so they could inherit the money. One very wealthy white man was behind most of it and he had the judges, the police, government officials all in his pocket. The Osage death toll was in the hundreds averaging 38 per year. Most of the Osage never got justice for their relative's deaths.

[Alice Huff · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hung in there more than half way and just couldn’t finish it. Too boring. Too dry

[Debi Osuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened upon this book for something to listen to as I drive a lot. At first it was slow but as the story started to come together I was intrigued. I had never heard of the Osage Indians. They were not in any history book I’ve read. Probably because of the white man and his greed. His racism and his self empowerment.
Part way through I was enraged at what the government first did to them. They pushed them out of their lands so they found land in Oklahoma that they knew the white man wouldn’t want. It was tough terrain. Luckily the chief when purchasing the land had the fourth thought to put that any minerals found on the land belonged to them and only them. Then oil was struck. The Osage became the wealthiest group of people ever. But, the government stepped in and declared that the Osages money be managed by white men. Who then began to steal, poison, shoot and all other means to kill the Osage off to gain their rights.
You must listen to the end. The reporter uncovers even more of the corruption and the killers that were never brought to justice.
I was also enraged to find out that Mr White who spent years bringing just a few people to justice was never recognized for his work. As a president decided he should be given the credit. Not one of the agents were ever recognized.
This was also the beginning of the FBI. Which in itself shows still corruption of its own people.
I was ignorant to think that the government and political people of today that are so corrupt were not the first but maybe a bigger group. But as history writes corruption has been going on for ages.
We as a people have never been able to wipe out the evil people nor the corruption that surrounds them.
It’s a powerful story. One I highly recommend reading.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Systematic Racism is new terminology in the American lexicon, but no better example of it exists than how the frontier settlers and government treated the American Indians from 1880s to 1930s. After stealing the land of the Osage Indians, the federal government forcibly moved the tribe to the most desolate part of American - eastern Oklahoma. And then! Oil was discovered and the Osage became instant millionaires. This is the true story of how a community, a state, a nation tried to rob the Osage. And how, failing this, began to systematically kill them in order to inherit the mineral rights to the land. If the FBI had not had its beginnings at this time, no one would have been brought to justice for these murders. This story is meticulously documented and the writing is riveting. I couldn't put it down.

[Chadwick Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book and behind the characters presented. In the end (the second 1/2) I could finally feel the characters and find the desire to finish the book.

The story is a slap to the face of any who sees good in humanity. This story illustrates the incredible evil potential within each one of us, to intentionally love another to deceive them, slowly and methodically kill them all for money. It is incredibly disheartening.

The silver lining, though it was hard to see, is that a few good people can indeed change the tide of evil that consumes a society. They can bring some degree of justice and expose the evil about us, even if such an effort only exposes a small portion of the greater evil that is lurking. One can make a difference, with a tremendous risk and a lot of work, but can make a difference non the less.

[Eric Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating and tragic story of abuse, intrigue, and a piece of American history. Learned so much about a culture and history that wasn't a part of the mainstream narrative, a forgotten tale of mistrust, heartbreak, and violence that plagued a people who had already been abused for hundreds of years. Absolutely riveted throughout the book, written in a couple styles, from a journalistic to first hand accounts, and that of a researcher, the reader gets a sense of history and the in depth conspiracy to hold this information from the public. If you're a fan of history and mystery, you'll love this book.

[Cactus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic tale of an indigenous American population, the Osage Nation, who gained incredible wealth from oil on their land they had purchased.

Indeed it changed their lives for the better, initially, but what happened thereafter by white man’s greed, power and ugly, murderous manipulation creates the bulk of this detailed and very lengthy plot.

Fascinating, interesting, historically crucial but emotionally draining, it is a very worthy book to read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oklahoma - What a great book! This real-life account of the Osage Indians, their land rights that included the minerals in the ground, the oil that made them rich, and the greed of some white men that did value Osage lives. There was an unbelievable conspiracy to kill off Osage families in the interest of getting land rights in the hands of evil doers. This historical account also touches on the transition from law in the hands of the citizens, to corrupt local sheriffs, to a federal bureau of investigation led by J. Edgar Hoover.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm more than halfway through with this book. Wonderful writing, great way to transport the reader to the awful events againat the Osage who had to buy their land in Oklahaoma, and hope the Govt wouldnt take it as it has taken back so many other sections of Native American Land.
Hits the mind a little harder as I've been to this part of Oklahoma.
Will stay with me, and my soul, as Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee has stayed with me.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after visiting the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and ranch because I discovered that all of that area of Oklahoma (including Tulsa) is an Indian reservation. The book was very informative about a part of history that I was ignorant of. Now I want to go back to Pawhuska and explore the Osage history more.

[Mary Littiebrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well researched. The deceit and theft and murder by "white men" of MANY Osage Indians because of greed is appalling. This is a non-fiction book and it was "dry" but I am glad I persevered and finished it. It is a part of history that is not well-known and it is yet another dark blot in the US history.

[Gabriele Lapi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual I really enjoyed Grann's ability to recount a real life story objectively without transpiring his personal opinion. I believe this gives authenticity to the story.
In addition the plot of the story is unique and hardly know by the wider audience, making it for a truly unique, unearthing, and appalling story to read.

[Thorsten Hapke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grann is a wonderful story teller. He artfully put together the historic facts that it reads like a thriller while you are fully immersed back to the times when the wild west transits to modern times. The sad historic events show again that stupid regulations will be exploited by unscrupulous people who deny the dignity of every human being.

[Skibones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grann did a great job researching this tragedy. The corruption was astounding and hard to believe. Written like documentary with details on how Grann researched his info. Thank you Grann for persisting and getting the WHOLE truth and not giving up!!
dorothy

[bèr_s · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, epic. read it!
i couldn’t put it down,
american history, that most americans have no clue about
the upcoming movie is a different perspective, nothing to do with the perspective of the book.
great job by grann!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Nancy Gajewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of complexity to this story

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-fiction sad tale of Osage Indians

[brian tanabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling.

[Debbie Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story and such a tragic time in Oklahoma history

[Logan Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible history of dark times better remembered than forgotten. Well worth the time.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be required in all high schools in America.

The evil and greed of mankind is appaling yet all too common and familiar.
My heart breaks that such evil exists.

[Margaret Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad story to read; injustice is difficult to read

[Cathy Knutson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciate the historical and help me better respect the tragedy of this time. I really want to hear Leonardo explanation for playing his role in the movie.

[Eric Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story!… so sad

[Alice Ortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the movie-they really dragged out the story. The book was much better. It was terrible what they did to the Osage.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling telling of incidents that were so terribly wrong. Although not a fan on nonfiction, I found the narrative straight-forward and easy to follow.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent historical study.

[Rob Caughell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good lesson of history