The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee - by David Treuer

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee is a comprehensive and intimate history of Native American life from the Wounded Knee massacre to the present day.

Written by David Treuer, an Ojibwe author and professor of literature and creative writing, this book offers a powerful challenge to the persistent idea of the "vanishing Indian" and replaces it with a more accurate story of Indian people's repossession and restoration of sovereignty and dignity. Treuer traces the history of Native American cultures from first contact to the present day, exploring how each era's depredations gave rise to new modes of survival, including legal and political maneuvering, conscription in the US military, and urban life.

He also delves into the contemporary Indian world, infusing the book with a vividness and punch that is rare in narrative histories. With a sweeping narrative that covers the entire history of Native American life, The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding how Native Americans have struggled to preserve their tribes and cultures in the face of overwhelming opposition.

This book will inspire readers with its stories of resilience and hope, and offer a fresh perspective on American history that is long overdue.