Discover books similar to "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West"

Dee Brown

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

"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West" by Dee Brown is a powerful and heart-wrenching account of the Native American experience during the westward expansion of the United States in the second half of the 19th century. Through meticulous research and the use of firsthand accounts, Brown tells the story of the betrayal, exploitation, and systematic annihilation of the Native American peoples by the US government and white settlers. The book is structured as a series of vignettes, each focusing on a different tribe or event, providing a kaleidoscopic view of the devastating impact of westward expansion on Native American communities. From the removal of the Cherokee from their ancestral lands in Georgia, to the Sand Creek Massacre, the Battle of Little Bighorn, and the Wounded Knee Massacre, Brown exposes the brutal and inhumane treatment of Native Americans at the hands of the US government and its citizens. Brown's unflinching account of the Native American experience during this period is a necessary corrective to the traditional narrative of American westward expansion, which has often glossed over or outright ignored the violence and injustice inflicted upon Native American communities. The book serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of manifest destiny and the need for a more inclusive and honest understanding of American history. "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complex and often tragic history of Native American-US relations. It is a sobering and important work that challenges readers to confront the darker aspects of American history and to consider the ongoing legacy of colonialism and genocide in the present day.