What do you think?
Rate this book
From the Heart: Voices of the American Indian
Lee Miller retrieves the voices of Indian people over five centuries and weaves them into an alternate history of the continent, while introducing us to the grandeur and diversity of the 500 nations who held this land before the first European set foot on it. Here, collected in one volume, is the testimony of more than 250 Indian civilizations—of the Aztec king Moctezuma, the Seminole leader Osceola, Tecumseh, Cochise, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and Sarah Winnemucca. Through their eyes, we see the shaping events of the past in a radically different light, one that is tragic yet shows courage in the face of adversity.
“Extraordinarily moving. . . . A haunting and eloquent anthology that serves as a testament to the courage and the nobility of Native Americans in the face of physical and spiritual genocide.” — Booklist
“Extraordinarily moving. . . . A haunting and eloquent anthology that serves as a testament to the courage and the nobility of Native Americans in the face of physical and spiritual genocide.” — Booklist
428 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
2 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 23, 2022
Hardly a primary source book as it used quotes in bits and does not cite many of them for further research. If you want an alternative history as this book suggests it is, grab Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. It’s a better read, still not great, but better than this.
The book is mediocre and has a number of flaws. It does not cite sources for the quotes which a little disappointing but not the end of the world. It is very favorable to one side, much like Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. Nothing bad is ever said about American Indians, no talk of their wars, or “atrocities.” The whole thing reads along the myth of the”Noble Savage,” which is in contrast to the “Blood-thirsty savage.” Both existed in the past as they unfortunately do today.
The first chapter is “Black Legend”-heavy quoting Father Bartolome de Las Casas who was what we might compare to an activist today and like many salesmen seems to overstate a lot. His texts are debated on how accurate they are but they likely hold some truth. A quote from Christopher Colón (Columbus) is used stating that they did not have weapons, i.e. they were peaceful, but he likely meant that they lacked “true,” or European weapons.
In the “North Atlantic” section the author uses a quote from an “unknown Micmac” but it is actually a quote from a Frenchman using the voice of this made up outsider to critique French culture (p. 42). It was a common technique at the time.
On page 95, the claim is made that in 1763 the British “are the first ‘civilized’ nation to use germ warfare” but this is hardly true considering armies in the Middle Ages were noted to throw diseased bodies over the walls of besieged cities. The event referenced though might have happened, at least there is some evidence that suggests it. It should be noted that it occurred during the Pontiac War around Fort Pitt, which was more or less on the frontline and fear of an attack was certainly in the air. Did it justify the use? Not really, but I’ve never been in that situation so I don’t know.
On pages 216-221 , the author claims that the raids committed by Indians leading up to the Sand Creek Massacre were invented to justify the attack but these raids did happen but they were not carried out by Black Kettle’s camp, or at least highly doubtfully him. There were multiple attacks, the most notable was the Hungate Massacre and these bodies were brought to Denver to stir up the anti-Indian fervor. The “harvesting” of corporeal trophies (body parts) was practiced by the Cheyenne as well; mostly scalping but other mutilations took place. It shocked many in the East, rightfully so, who having been removed from Indian conflict for multiple generations, didn’t believe that the “Noble Savage” could ever do such a thing. Sand Creek still remains a nasty stain on the reputation of the frontier army. Hard to argue that Chivington and Evans were not genocidal. Many soldiers, including a number of them present, despised the action, though.
On page 228, the author claims that “hunters brag that the Sharps can shoot a buffalo at a distance of five miles.” 8,800 yards….the longest shot ever recorded was 1 mile and was considered by the shooter to be lucky. You also would not be able to see a buffalo in your sight that far away let alone aim it properly.
Page 257: “Using the Ghost Dance as a pretext, government soldiers massacre a band of the Hokwozhu nation under the leadership of Big Foot, who is sick with pneumonia. Everyone knows that the Ghost Dance is only an excuse for murder. By 1890, killing Indians has become a national pastime.” This is by far the most inaccurate and dishonest way I have ever heard the Wounded Knee Massacre described. It ignores testimony of Lakota present who states that it was their own people who fired the initial volley. It does not justify what happened in the next few moments but the soldiers present did not appear to have planned this out. Their commanding officers felt that way and in the wake of it the soldiers at the Res Cloud Agency nearby were under strict orders not to shoot even if fired upon. Not exactly what you’d expect if they were trying to kill them all, especially since wounded were collected and brought in for medical care and thousands of Lakota and Cheyenne were among the soldiers and a number of them wearing US blues. This was way more complicated that these three pathetic sentences suggest. (American Carnage, Jerome Greene, if you want a good account with viewpoints from both sides.)
If I had to define this book in one phrase it would be: Indian Nationalism. Take that for whatever it’s worth to you.
The book is mediocre and has a number of flaws. It does not cite sources for the quotes which a little disappointing but not the end of the world. It is very favorable to one side, much like Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. Nothing bad is ever said about American Indians, no talk of their wars, or “atrocities.” The whole thing reads along the myth of the”Noble Savage,” which is in contrast to the “Blood-thirsty savage.” Both existed in the past as they unfortunately do today.
The first chapter is “Black Legend”-heavy quoting Father Bartolome de Las Casas who was what we might compare to an activist today and like many salesmen seems to overstate a lot. His texts are debated on how accurate they are but they likely hold some truth. A quote from Christopher Colón (Columbus) is used stating that they did not have weapons, i.e. they were peaceful, but he likely meant that they lacked “true,” or European weapons.
In the “North Atlantic” section the author uses a quote from an “unknown Micmac” but it is actually a quote from a Frenchman using the voice of this made up outsider to critique French culture (p. 42). It was a common technique at the time.
On page 95, the claim is made that in 1763 the British “are the first ‘civilized’ nation to use germ warfare” but this is hardly true considering armies in the Middle Ages were noted to throw diseased bodies over the walls of besieged cities. The event referenced though might have happened, at least there is some evidence that suggests it. It should be noted that it occurred during the Pontiac War around Fort Pitt, which was more or less on the frontline and fear of an attack was certainly in the air. Did it justify the use? Not really, but I’ve never been in that situation so I don’t know.
On pages 216-221 , the author claims that the raids committed by Indians leading up to the Sand Creek Massacre were invented to justify the attack but these raids did happen but they were not carried out by Black Kettle’s camp, or at least highly doubtfully him. There were multiple attacks, the most notable was the Hungate Massacre and these bodies were brought to Denver to stir up the anti-Indian fervor. The “harvesting” of corporeal trophies (body parts) was practiced by the Cheyenne as well; mostly scalping but other mutilations took place. It shocked many in the East, rightfully so, who having been removed from Indian conflict for multiple generations, didn’t believe that the “Noble Savage” could ever do such a thing. Sand Creek still remains a nasty stain on the reputation of the frontier army. Hard to argue that Chivington and Evans were not genocidal. Many soldiers, including a number of them present, despised the action, though.
On page 228, the author claims that “hunters brag that the Sharps can shoot a buffalo at a distance of five miles.” 8,800 yards….the longest shot ever recorded was 1 mile and was considered by the shooter to be lucky. You also would not be able to see a buffalo in your sight that far away let alone aim it properly.
Page 257: “Using the Ghost Dance as a pretext, government soldiers massacre a band of the Hokwozhu nation under the leadership of Big Foot, who is sick with pneumonia. Everyone knows that the Ghost Dance is only an excuse for murder. By 1890, killing Indians has become a national pastime.” This is by far the most inaccurate and dishonest way I have ever heard the Wounded Knee Massacre described. It ignores testimony of Lakota present who states that it was their own people who fired the initial volley. It does not justify what happened in the next few moments but the soldiers present did not appear to have planned this out. Their commanding officers felt that way and in the wake of it the soldiers at the Res Cloud Agency nearby were under strict orders not to shoot even if fired upon. Not exactly what you’d expect if they were trying to kill them all, especially since wounded were collected and brought in for medical care and thousands of Lakota and Cheyenne were among the soldiers and a number of them wearing US blues. This was way more complicated that these three pathetic sentences suggest. (American Carnage, Jerome Greene, if you want a good account with viewpoints from both sides.)
If I had to define this book in one phrase it would be: Indian Nationalism. Take that for whatever it’s worth to you.
November 12, 2018
One of my favourite books! Beautiful and sad and worth reading many times
September 10, 2015
Lee Miller has done an outstanding job compiling this accurate look at our TRUE "American" history. This is not a pleasant read, but then, the true history of this country is not pleasant.
I would go so far as to recommend that this book be recommended reading in High School history classes.
I would go so far as to recommend that this book be recommended reading in High School history classes.
June 28, 2012
Essentially, this is primary source material. Pretty sad accounting of how Native American were treated. Very damning stuff.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews