Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Audiobook [Free Download]

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown

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Summary

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West Audiobook by Dee Brown explores the history of native Americans in the American West in the late nineteenth century. The book was first published in the year 1970. The book provides the details of American expansionism and the ill effects it had on the Native Americans. The author says that Native Americans had to go through forced relocations and continuous warfare by the US federal government. The author portrays the government’s efforts as aimed towards destroying the culture, religion and the lives of the Native Americans.

The author provides description of the discovery and settlement of America from 1492 to 1860 in the first chapter. The Native Americans were amicable and friendly with Europeans and did not resent their colonization attempts initially. Only when the European influx increased, leading to land encroachment that the Native Americans started to protest and show resistance.

The author provides details of the incidents leading to 1860 which marked the beginning of the Indian turmoil. The defeat of major Native American tribes, establishment of west as the permanent Indian frontier and the breaches of the frontier as a means to achieve Manifest Destiny are nicely portrayed in the book. Post-1860, the American expansion increased significantly and the Native American tribes were greatly reduced. Brown provides details of specific tribes and the impact on them of these events.

Review

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West Audiobook by Dee Brown received positive reviews from the critics and the readers. Brown has done significant research for writing the book. The atrocities of the US government on the Native Americans has been depicted in a brutal and honest manner. The writing is simple yet powerful and depicts the social and political milieu in America during that period.

The book is one of the most thorough investigations of the Native American’s history. The author has been criticized by some critics of not being balanced as he does not provide details of other happenings during that time. The book is highly recommended for readers who want to develop an understanding on the impact of American expansionism on the Native Americans.