Ohiyesa wrote this book in 1911, and did a masterful job at conveying spiritual truths in simple language that anyone can understand.

Ohiyesa tries to impart that this form of spirituality is more about a state of mind and heart instead of performing ceremonies by rote.

There are many little gems of wisdom in this book, and it would be a great place to start if you wish to explore the American Indian (Sioux) form of spirituality.

Here are a few of those gems I mentioned above.

Page XII "My little book does not pretend to be a scientific treatise. It is as true as I can nake it to my childhood teaching and ancestral ideals"

Page XIII "We know that the God of the lettered and the unlettered, of the Greek and the barbarian is after all the same God;"

Page 4 "Our faith might not be formulated in creeds, nor forced on any who were unwilling to receive it; hence there was no preaching, proselyting, nor persecution"

Page 4 "He (the indian) would deem it sacriledge to build a house for Him (the Great Spirit) who may be met face to face in the mysterious , shadowy aisles of the primeval forest"

Page 13 "The Indian no more worships the Sun than the Christian adores the Cross"

Page 14 "We believed that the spirit pervades all creation and that every creature posesses a soul in some degree, though not necessarily a soul conscious of itself."

Page 15 "He (The indian) paid homage to the spirits in prescribed prayers and offerings)

Page 45 "In the life of the indian there was only one inevitable duty,--the duty of prayer--the daily recognition of the Unseen and Eternal. His daily devotions were more necessary to him than daily food."

Much wisdom for a book more than 90 years old!

I encourage questions and comments about my reviews; Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

C.A. Eastman, himself a Sioux indian, published this work in 1911.
This is a fascinating look into the old beliefs that were held dear by his people. Passed down from antiquity by tribal elders, and preserved here for all who don't have the benifit of the heritage of old wisdom of the tribes.

The people of the twenty first century would do well to apply what is put forward here.

No psycho-babel. No attempting to convert anyone. Plainly stated for your consideration.
Highly reccommended.

I'm an author, and would like to know the address for Dover Pub. and Black Dog & Leventhal. They are not listed in the Writer's Marketl Please send these addresses to PHrbacek@aol.com

P.S. another great book to add would be Bible Verses for Young Children, CBP Press, Box 179, St. Louis MO. It illustrates 32 RSV quotes, and is suitable for copying or framing. It's my book (Paula Ruth)

Light On The Indian World: The Essential Writings Of Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa) is a collection of the writings of Charles Eastman, who was born in 1858 and raised in the traditional nomadic life of the Sioux Native Americans prior to the era of reservations. Critical selections from "The Soul of the Indian," "The Indian Today," "Indian Boyhood," and "From the Deep Woods to Civilization" bring out key insights in Charles Eastman's work that transcend time and generations. Light On The Indian World is a fascinating, engaging, informative and memorable addition to personal, academic, and community library Native American Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.

There are certainly not enough autobiographies of Native Americans, and few that can compare with Eastman's story and journey to find civilization. As Eastman follows Christianity and the White Man's Civilization, he finds himself realizing the paradox of the two worlds. Upon returning to a more civilized world, he gives a captivating look at how Jesus was an Indian and how different the White world and Native American world was during his life. A perfect self-enlightenment book.

If you have read the writings of Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman); I HIGHLY recommend this book to you.

It helped me understand the forces that shaped this man.

My favorite areas are

The assorted photos of his father "Many Lightnings", his wife, his son Ohiyesa at the age of 5.

Events that occured while he was attending school in the East, and the bigotry he encountered from "SOME" white people.

Events where he served as a medical doctor on the Pine Ridge reservation, and caring for the survivors of the Wounded Knee masacre in 1890.

Events where he traveled among various indian nations to get items used by indians for museums.

Events where he worked with the Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls.

And much more.

If this book is your introduction to the writings of Ohiyesa; I would recommend that your next purchase would be "The Soul Of The Indian".

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

This book is good, but has been heavily edited.

I would recommend against buying this book, but instead buy "The Soul Of an Indian" Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa); published by University of Nebraska Press; ISBN: 0803267010.

Ohiyesa puts his spirituality in simple words without getting bogged down in ceremonies by rote, and dogma.

I HIGHLY recommend the writings by Ohiyesa. Just not this heavily edited version.

I encourage questions and comments via E-Mail. Two Bears.

If one wants to know what it is "really" like to have the problems of a drug addict, one doesn't ask the therapist (sorry), but rather the addict. Only a true Native American can explain the life, in its many aspects, of a Native American----and, although we have many examples of the wisdom of Native American chiefs, few attain the level, from a philosophical/religious view, as does Ohiyesa (C. Eastman). He is truly a poet in the simplicity of the words he uses, while simultaneously imparting a veritable glimpse of the meaning behind his words. For this reason alone, he, I believe, will be time-honored, when one wants to get a view of Native American life in the future.
Sadly, but perhaps necessarily, Ohiyesa was torn between two worlds---the white (education and profession, as well as residence in the East) and his heritage, which he felt bound to,as the atrocities continued to unfold in his lifetime, some of which he experienced firsthand.
For persons of "a certain ilk", I believe that the many people who respect the wisdom of "The Prophet" (Khalil Gibran)will equally respect this writing.

The presentation of the indians life and purpose will challenge a persons prespectives of life and the purpose to which all of us have been called. Do you live a life of love or are we so drawn to the material and success orientations of this world that we have lost perspective of the real purpose of life? Ohiyesa will challenge each of us to look into yourselves and ask the question do I truly care for what is right or are my values based upon what I have acquired. Do I walk in truth or do I live a lie? Do I care for my neighbor or do I only think of myself? Do I see God in what has been created or do I deny His existence? Ohiyesa, will challenge the very foundations of western society and our ways of thinking. He challenges the christian and the church as presented in our society today. Do we live as Christ, or do we use Christ to obtain control? I found this book a great treasure of clear thinking and profound statements that make me question the values that I have what of you?

This book is a great compilation of the story of a young Indianboy who grows up to learn the traditions of his family. It was veryinformative and a great read. It would also be beneficial for people intereted in Native American history or just those wanting to read a good novel.

I rate this book very low, because it wasn't laid out well and it always seemed lite there was a cloud of dsapair hoovering around the setting.

I disliked the book because it showed a life despair and the main characters faliures about becoming a "white man," and not staying as an Indian.

cannot find any other books that compare with this book, if I could they would easily beat this book in ratings. The book was very poorily written It didn't stick to the main plot at all. THe characters were always being switched around. For instance, the cheif got killde but he is still at the reservation talking to Alexander East (the main character).

The book was about some indians that were practicing a different religion and planning an uprissing. That scared the villagers, so they took great measures in protecting the rest of the villagers. Alexander East went into an immotional downfal about this time. Then the uprising began. But thats not the crux of the book. You have to read it to find out the rest, though I strongly discourage it.

The Book was written by Jamake Highwater and supposedly a true story. Over all it was book that was written poorlyabout a man who was dispearing and feeling soory for himself.

My critique over the book I read, Eyes of Darkness, was near a seven to an eight. Or in other words a three, to a four star. I enjoyed it, but it was a little hard to understand. The dialog was confusing because, to me, they spoke more in Indian and Chinese language. But still it kept me wondering what was up coming. This novel was like nothing I have ever read, so it was still a good change for me. I would maybe even like to read another type of book similar, but maybe by a different author to get a change in flavor. I'm not trying to put the book down, but I just didn't care of the way it was written. I did really enjoy the plot. It kept me reading on. The character each had their own "way". No one was too much the same. But if you enjoy something different of a different kind, then you'll probably really enjoy this paticular novel. I also was really into the placement of the book. It was new to me because I don't usually read a book form Canada in the "Indian" Time Frame located in Canada. I would really recommend this book to anyone who is into a different harder read. Thank you!

Based on the life of Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman, a full-blooded Sioux, who was taken from his people at age fifteen. In writing an introduction to the reissue of Eastman's own autobiography, Indian Boyhood, author and scholar Jamake Highwater became fascinated with the subject and wrote his own fictionalized version for young adult readers. It is a true story, gleaned from Eastman's own words. It vividly shows a man trying to live in two worlds, and it is written by a man who understands what it is like to do so.