Neither Wolf Nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads With an Indian Elder
2 journalers for this copy...
From the back cover:
Against an unflinching backdrop of contemporary reservation life and the majestic spaces of the western Dakotas, Neither Wolf nor Dog tells the story of two men, one white and one Indian, locked in their own understandings yet struggling to find a common voice. In this winner of the 1996 Minnesota Book Award, acclaimed author Kent Nerburn draws us deep into the world of a Native American elder named Dan, who leads Kent through Indian towns and down forgotten roads that swirl with the memories of the Ghost Dance and Sitting Bull. Along the way we meet a vivid cast of characters - ranging from Jumbo, a 400-pound mechanic, to Annie, an eighty-year-old Lakota woman living in a log cabin with no running water. An unlikely cross between On the Road and Black Elk Speaks, Neither Wolf nor Dog takes us past the myths and stereotypes of the Native American experience, revealing an America few ever see.
Received in a box of books from Mom.
Against an unflinching backdrop of contemporary reservation life and the majestic spaces of the western Dakotas, Neither Wolf nor Dog tells the story of two men, one white and one Indian, locked in their own understandings yet struggling to find a common voice. In this winner of the 1996 Minnesota Book Award, acclaimed author Kent Nerburn draws us deep into the world of a Native American elder named Dan, who leads Kent through Indian towns and down forgotten roads that swirl with the memories of the Ghost Dance and Sitting Bull. Along the way we meet a vivid cast of characters - ranging from Jumbo, a 400-pound mechanic, to Annie, an eighty-year-old Lakota woman living in a log cabin with no running water. An unlikely cross between On the Road and Black Elk Speaks, Neither Wolf nor Dog takes us past the myths and stereotypes of the Native American experience, revealing an America few ever see.
Received in a box of books from Mom.
This was an amazing book. Dan's words are eloquent and moving, and Nerburn is painfully open and honest about his own thoughts and feelings. Dan manages to express concepts that I always struggle to find words for, and he makes them remarkably accessable. This book is largly the thoughts of just one Lakota man, but they include painful truths about our country that I think are important to confront and consider. I think I might have to find another copy of this to keep.
I mailed this today to Azuki, who won it in the June non-fiction swap. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I mailed this today to Azuki, who won it in the June non-fiction swap. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Thanks Zosime for sending the book to me! A great addition to my Mt TBR!
Still trying to figure out if I stole neither wolf nor dog, what did I get... a coyote? a cat?
Still trying to figure out if I stole neither wolf nor dog, what did I get... a coyote? a cat?
Each of the men is just one individual, yet each is very aware that he is the representation of the race, and every word, every action, every mistake, is magnified as a stereotype. With the bloody history between the two races, a history still young, the scar still unhealed, this is indeed some very thin ice the author is treading on. He is really brave in undertaking the writing of the book, and baring so much of himself. I hope Dan and his granddaughters, and Grover are happy with the book. I suppose they are happy enough to let it be published, but I am curious what their comments are. I try to imagine... just a non commital grunt? A smile?
Being someone of neither race, I am able to observe the interaction from a more removed standpoint. It is easy to share the sentiments Dan (the Indian elder) expressed about white men and their treatment and discrimination of other races.
As I read the book, Dan's eloquent words move me so much I just have to bookmark the pages. However, to avoid reducing him to an Indian elder spurting mystic wisdom while smoking a pipe, I will not quote them here... you just have to read the book to discover them!
This is now heading to GateGypsy, who, when I offered a book for a swap, turned it into a raiding shelf swap instead. : D Just kidding, thanks for helping me move my books!
Being someone of neither race, I am able to observe the interaction from a more removed standpoint. It is easy to share the sentiments Dan (the Indian elder) expressed about white men and their treatment and discrimination of other races.
As I read the book, Dan's eloquent words move me so much I just have to bookmark the pages. However, to avoid reducing him to an Indian elder spurting mystic wisdom while smoking a pipe, I will not quote them here... you just have to read the book to discover them!
This is now heading to GateGypsy, who, when I offered a book for a swap, turned it into a raiding shelf swap instead. : D Just kidding, thanks for helping me move my books!
