The Wisdom of the Native Americans

I really enjoy this book and would recommend it.

I have always been interested in Native American wisdom and lore, have my spirit animal picked out years ago, and this book is what we need now in our country, and in the world. It's about respect for the environment, doing no harm to animals, living in gentle harmony with others and with nature. Right now, our world is run by avaricious lunatics who are doing immoral damage to our lives, earth, to everything, we need to help Native Americans finally and we need to change the people running the world, this book should be part of every school curriculum in the world. Hopefully more and more people will wake up, especially after reading this book, and maybe we can see change that will keep our Mother Earth going.

This book is so powerful and so well written that I'm about to embark on my third read. The first time I read it, I was on a cross-country road trip and everything I looked at on my trip I applied with the lens of Native American customs - I was shook to my core. Very powerful and moving. I wanted to rebel against the "replacement" culture of all the tourist shops (even though I, too, was a tourist) and RVs crossing the country. I highly recommend this book.

So eloquently written. You can't read it fast because you want to savor it. I lent it to an artist friend of mine and he said the same thing. Highly recommend. Seeing life through them and how they all lived - if only we lived like that now. There would be compassion and peace in the world.

My mother bought me this book years ago in an Airport gift shop, of all places. It has been a great comfort to me and given me much strength over the years. I have had three surgeries in the past year, and as I struggle through getting well, I find much of the wisdom and philosophy shared in this book from many tribes fits a situation I am in and helps me through the pain. There are several pieces on women that are inspiring and I have shared them gladly with those who needed that inspiration the most. This book helped me through the rough spots. Those who are Christian may be a bit surprised at what is said about Christianity from an outside viewpoint, and it will give them genuine food for thought. I myself am not Christian. I would recommend it to anyone seeking guidance as although the quotes are not Christian, they are definitely Christ-like in their ideology (sharing with one another, taking care of one another, giving the best so your fellow man can by safe and well). For a different perspective, read and enjoy. The great speeches of Red Jacket, Chief Seattle and Chief Joseph are presented in their entirety. A wonderful book.

I have bought many books here, but have never felt compelled to write a review until now. As a person who teaches dogs to help the disabled, I know firsthand the oneness you can experience with the spirit of an animal. I have seen loving, selfless dogs heal the lives of so many who were outcast and emotionally broken. Therefore, when I read this work, my soul leapt with joy to finally, FINALLY! find out that others (Nations!) feel about the natural world as I do. While this work doesn't focus solely on animals, but encompasses the Native American view on many, many topics, including life, death, living, nature, The Creator and their experiences with white culture, I truly felt I had found "home" when I came upon their beliefs about animals. In my family's religion, man is supreme, animals have little to no value and when they die, that's it, they're just dead. This wonderful book gives a different perspective on The Spirit of The Creator as it is reflected in people, nature AND animals. A perspective in need of hearing and teaching to so many who today, place no value on our natural world. To me, it was the proverbial cool drink of water on a hot, hot day. Read it and find your soul. Rather, read it, embrace it and reclaim your soul. No doubt you will find it waiting patiently for you in the wilderness ...............

This book touches something in my soul that longs for the old ways - the ways of being really connected with our earth, the Great Spirit, and each other. The editor arranged some writings topically and it was wonderful to read various points of view on the same topics from different tribes, chiefs and from different times. The longer speeches and writings by various Chiefs were also excellent. I enjoyed getting to know them through their writings, learning their points of view and their lifestyles. History can be tainted by the perspective of the author when details of events are recorded. You may find some surprises among the writings and speeches in this book. The Native Americans perspective may differ from what you remember from your History Class books. I hope there are Native Peoples who still possess the wisdom and traditions of their ancestors. If it has been lost, the loss is very great indeed.

The first half of this book is a collection of short sayings by many great chiefs which share Native American history and wisdom. It is a very nice small bound book worthy of collecting. It is a fast read and you may want to keep it by your bedside and re-read it from time to time. You will take a journey into the thinking of the red man and why the white man receives so much disdain. There are historical references to the White man throughout the book to include his ways, religion and history of mistreating the Native Americans, especially by our government and our military. There are many of the Ways of our Native Americans that are shared with regard to their outlook on life, death, love, nature, etc. A very interesting book with speeches by three famous chiefs at the end which are well worth reading.

The American Indian peoples have spirituality in the place of our religious systems and their wisdom and knowledge builds on many stories that have been passed down over the generations.The simple quotes in this book are profound and clearly show that these people have been highly intelligent and aware and not as many see them.They may live a simple lifestyle, but they enjoyed a utopian existence that the developed world would envy if it took the time to find out.You will learn a lot from their wisdom and I urge you to learn about their lifestyle and outlook, it will change your views for the better.They have their own set of commandments and they are as valid today as they ever were.The Indian people say we are all related, something that modern genetic research has only recently confirmed. They knew this from centuries back.

The book Wisdom of the Native Americans by Kent Nerburn happens to be one my favourite books in my collection. The book itself is hard cover, produced on what I would describe as thick, luxurious paper, what to me suggests quality, superseded only by the quality quotes contained within the book.I've found the book to be personally comforting, a go to book when I feel a little under the weather. Native Americans in general, I have found, seem to be able to produce some of the most profound statements in as few words as possible and much of these can be found in the book. This could be down to many of the tribes' emphasis put on listening intently to one's questions but also giving themselves the time to compose an answer. (something most in our culture hate today due to mass attention deficit disorder and general impatience)Alongside the quotes from various Native Americans, including famous quotes from the likes of legendary figures like Ohiyesa, Sitting Bull, and Tecumseh, We also are introduced (or at least, as a non-American, I was introduced) to Chief Joseph's 1879 speech at Washington D.C in the Lincoln hall before congress, various diplomats and dignitaries to plead for the fair treatment of his people. Learning more about Chief Joseph in this book really made me respect him more than I already did. We are also introduced to the great speeches of Chief Red Jacket and Chief Seattle, which are equally compelling.I think there really is no greater time for the world to embrace the old ways, the old teachings of many of our native tribes throughout the world. While not discussed in the book, I think it's interesting to note that some of the Native American tribes, the Hopi being one, are of the belief that their own ancestors had gone through a time of wanton destruction in the past, and see a similarity in the destruction of our planet through greed and selfishness today.I honestly cannot find a fault with this book and I would highly recommend it. Definitely a book that could change the way you see the world for the better.

This is a simple but stunning book.The American Indians truly understood the living, natural world. Indeed, it is evident from their words which are put before is in this book that they may well have been the only human culture which truly lived in harmony with the natural world (even though their tribes and nations were extrememly varied, they all held the same fundamental beliefs about the world and their place in it).I encourage everyone, whether they have interest in American Indians or not, or whether they are spiritual or not, to read this book. It contains many home truths for us all.Nicely put together too. Great book.

Great stories and spiritual knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I'm very interested in Native American life, spirituality... And this was a good read, good to pick up and read a few quotes, passages, chapter while you're on the toilet, or not really up for getting lost in something or sit down for ages...