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grahamcifelli's review against another edition
5.0
It's been 23 years since this book was published, 46 since he was imprisoned. This book though short has affected me in a way not many others have. Leonard calls himself ordinary, though I don't think he gives himself enough credit. He has remained unbroken still today. Not for himself, but for is people. He signs everything with "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse", I sign this in the spirit of Leonard Peltier
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
It is hard to understand the kind of fortitude, optimism, and strength that one would have to have to live out two life sentences for a crime you assert you did not commit. When Peltier wrote this book, he had already served 23 years in prison. That was TWENTY YEARS AGO. He was still, at that time, hopeful that a president would commute his sentence, grant him clemency or time served or in some way allow him to not actually die in jail for a crime based on extremely flimsy evidence. It astounds me that he is still there, in a different federal prison, watching the continued fight for Native land and water rights go on without him. This was a good read that, unfortunately, left me feeling more pessimistic than when I started.
honeyvoiced's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Gun violence, Death, Racism, and Confinement
Moderate: Colonisation
leedigesu's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those times you don't want to give a book 5 stars only because you are disheartened that the book (though to raise awareness) had to be written at all.
I am privileged to read this book, to know the story of a leader and warrior in his own words.
I originally heard of Leonard Peltier in 1991 during Rage Against the Machine's video for the song Freedom. Looking back now I can't believe that was 25 years ago! I was a rebellious teenager and impressionable and for two reasons this man because of interest to me: I was always fascinated by Native Americans (the culture) and this man had the same last name as me.
A few years after that song, I spent some time living in Oklahoma and was introduced to Indians and it somehow made everything "real". As the internet came around and information was easily accessible, I was able to crawl out from under the public school education of what we were taught about "Thanksgiving" and all that other crap we were fed. I spent my time in college writing every paper on Native Americans, using it as a way to further my education on the culture and people and history. Last year I took a solo trip to South and North Dakota and constantly found tears on my cheeks. I was so taken by the beauty and the "spirit" of my surroundings. I also found myself traveling to Arizona and New Mexico and was blown away by the culture of Native Americans.
It's saddens me that they are pushed into these small pockets of a such a large country and aren't able to thrive and be healthy and educated as everyone else here. It bothers me that we bend over backwards for other people that come here and spread their culture (it isn't politically correct to suppress their heritage) but the people who who are indigenous to these lands were/are forced to hide who they are, what they believe, how they speak, etc. I really don't understand it. I'm supposed to be okay with a man who wears a dress and still has a penis but it is forbidden to experience the beauty of Indian culture. SMH. Ugh, I could go on and on, but why? I'll end this paragraph by saying I think it would be amazing if settlers came to this country and melded with the Indians, shared cultures. That's the ONLY good thing I see where I live: new immigrants coming here and we learn of their culture and adapt some of their traditions and they do the same of ours. That's why I enjoy traveling. Not to spread my culture and force others to see "my way" but to experience how other people do things and try to incorporate some of that into my little world.
My hope is that Mr. Peltier will find himself a free man and be able to spend time with his family before he goes to the Sky World!
I am privileged to read this book, to know the story of a leader and warrior in his own words.
I originally heard of Leonard Peltier in 1991 during Rage Against the Machine's video for the song Freedom. Looking back now I can't believe that was 25 years ago! I was a rebellious teenager and impressionable and for two reasons this man because of interest to me: I was always fascinated by Native Americans (the culture) and this man had the same last name as me.
A few years after that song, I spent some time living in Oklahoma and was introduced to Indians and it somehow made everything "real". As the internet came around and information was easily accessible, I was able to crawl out from under the public school education of what we were taught about "Thanksgiving" and all that other crap we were fed. I spent my time in college writing every paper on Native Americans, using it as a way to further my education on the culture and people and history. Last year I took a solo trip to South and North Dakota and constantly found tears on my cheeks. I was so taken by the beauty and the "spirit" of my surroundings. I also found myself traveling to Arizona and New Mexico and was blown away by the culture of Native Americans.
It's saddens me that they are pushed into these small pockets of a such a large country and aren't able to thrive and be healthy and educated as everyone else here. It bothers me that we bend over backwards for other people that come here and spread their culture (it isn't politically correct to suppress their heritage) but the people who who are indigenous to these lands were/are forced to hide who they are, what they believe, how they speak, etc. I really don't understand it. I'm supposed to be okay with a man who wears a dress and still has a penis but it is forbidden to experience the beauty of Indian culture. SMH. Ugh, I could go on and on, but why? I'll end this paragraph by saying I think it would be amazing if settlers came to this country and melded with the Indians, shared cultures. That's the ONLY good thing I see where I live: new immigrants coming here and we learn of their culture and adapt some of their traditions and they do the same of ours. That's why I enjoy traveling. Not to spread my culture and force others to see "my way" but to experience how other people do things and try to incorporate some of that into my little world.
My hope is that Mr. Peltier will find himself a free man and be able to spend time with his family before he goes to the Sky World!
cathartibae's review against another edition
4.0
Free Leonard Peltier!
The list of atrocities committed by the Federal Government are long, and a few are outlined in Peltier's autobiography. He brings hope to future generations; especially moving is his poetry. I do hope President Obama pardons him before leaving office.
The list of atrocities committed by the Federal Government are long, and a few are outlined in Peltier's autobiography. He brings hope to future generations; especially moving is his poetry. I do hope President Obama pardons him before leaving office.
iggnaseous's review against another edition
4.0
Powerfully moving memoir from a deeply spiritual man. Contains a call to action for the reader.