Lakota America

A New History of Indigenous Power

De: Pekka Hamalainen

Narrado por: Joe Barrett

The first comprehensive history of the Lakota Indians and their profound role in shaping America's history

This first complete account of the Lakota Indians traces their rich and often surprising history from the early 16th to the early 21st century. Pekka Hämäläinen explores the Lakotas' roots as marginal hunter-gatherers and reveals how they reinvented themselves twice: first as a river people who dominated the Missouri Valley, America's great commercial artery, and then - in what was America's first sweeping westward expansion - as a horse people who ruled supreme on the vast high plains.

The Lakotas are imprinted in American historical memory. Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull are iconic figures in the American imagination, but in this groundbreaking book they emerge as something different: the architects of Lakota America, an expansive and enduring Indigenous regime that commanded human fates in the North American interior for generations. Hämäläinen's deeply researched and engagingly written history places the Lakotas at the center of American history, and the results are revelatory.

©2019 Pekka Hämäläinen (P)2019 Tantor

Overall Value

narrator was hard to hear clearly from time to time.. Overall a good value and enlightening regarding the early Sioux Empire and its growth.

What an eye=opening history

I learned a lot from this well-written and well-read book. The Lakotas were an equal empire to the US until after the Civil War. They succeeded because of their ability to adapt -- to be shapeshifters.

Great audiobook.

A great audiobook that showcases a post-colonial mindset of the Lakota people, who reinvented themselves twice to maintain power in the face of a domineering Imperial power.

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyable. Thorough history, Joe Barrett's voice is captivating. Hope to meet Pekka Hamalainan someday!

Native American Lakota history well told

This long narrative is a difficult listen, as it contains many unfamiliar terms, mostly in the Lakota language, and is packed with much detail. I own the printed book and had to refer to it frequently for clarity and for the many maps. Nonetheless it was important to listen to the narration to hear the Lakota language, which the intrepid narrator took the trouble to master. Every American should hear the story of the shameful treatment of the extraordinary Lakota, the pre-eminent Native American people. Essential history of the USA.

good book enjoyed

it is good book enjoyed if a lot..great info. well written. recommend it to any one.

Slow burn

The subject matter in the second half is definitely more gripping than the first. Narration is decent.

More of an outsiders view of the Lakota.

This really isn't a history of the Lakota versus an outside view of interaction with them over the years. Yes, I realize that is often the case when writing about historical issues, especially on a people with limited written history. I did enjoy learning about tribal politics, which is under represented in writing, and that is the only reason I finished the book at all. This just wasn't a history of the Lakota people.

Required Headline

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Sociological history

A fairly dry if comprehensive history of a quite specific time and place. Not lacking in details or colorful examples to make the story clear the narrative retains a lofty sociological perspective. The narrator is fine with pleasant voice restrained manner.

Over and again in these accounts of indigenous American culture and mores I’m struck by the prevalence of horrific personal violence and grisly torture as a way of life. Not a value judgment but an observation.