The Lakota Way of Strength and Courage: Lessons in Resilience from the Bow and Arrow

by Joseph M. Marshall III

In Lakota tradition, the bow and arrow were more than tools for hunting or battle. The bow's resilience and flexibility, the arrow's grace and power, the archer's focus and patience--in these, we find the essential qualities for living a life of strength, purpose, and simplicity. In The Lakota Way of Strength and Courage, Joseph M. Marshall builds upon the central metaphor of the bow and arrow to provide a treasury of insights, stories, and irreplaceable wisdom. With elegant and captivating writing, this master storyteller illuminates timeless lessons on:

• Transformation, what the journey of the Lakota people teaches us about preserving what is essential as our external circumstances change
• Simplicity, the story of Grandmother Grass Braid, who understood that "the more you know, the less you need to carry"
• Purpose, how the world unveils our purpose to us, as revealed in the story of the Keeper of the Winter Count
• Strength, the moving story of Henry One Bull, and how adversity teaches us to develop the true core of our strength
• Resiliency, the lessons of Grandma Red Leaf on facing the challenges of life with the best we have to offer

Once, the Lakota people relied on the ash bow and the willow arrow to provide food and sustenance. Today, these simple tools can offer us something even more precious: a way to nourish our souls with spiritual wisdom. Joseph M. Marshall offers a book that is at once profound, honest, and rich with meaning as he reveals The Lakota Way of Strength and Courage.

Genres: Indigenous, Spirituality, History, Nonfiction, Native American

185 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and holds a PhD from the reservation university, which he helped to establish. The award-winning author of ten books, including Hundred in the Hand, The Lakota Way, and The Journey of Crazy Horse, he has also contributed to various publications and written several screenplays. His first language is Lakota, he handcrafts traditional Lakota bows and arrows, and he is a specialist in wilderness survival. Marshall's work as a cultural and historical consultant can be seen and heard in the Turner Network Television and Dreamworks epic television miniseries Into the West. "

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a 3 point 5-er, really. Nothing earth shaking. Marshall includes a few interesting stories from Lakota lore in support of his philosophy about life. To him, the key components are transformation, simplicity, purpose, strength, and resiliency. To make these points, he uses the bow and arrow as a a metaphor.

I was expecting more of a vision quest-type slant with an accent on coming of age, and there was some of that, but the book is also rife with Marshall's laments about the history of the Lakota at the hands of the Long Knives (that's you, white man).

Bonus: Marshall champions the reverence for elders that Indians once had. Sadly, that has slipped away with many Lakota youth today due to the incursion of popular culture and its golden calf, youth. In that respect, the Lakota culture reminds me of Eastern cultures, also more likely to pay wisdom its due instead of belittling it. Though no Luddite, he also keeps matters like the Internet, e-mail, and cellphones in perspective. If they're used to stay in contact with Grandma and Grandpa, well, OK then. Otherwise, like me, he prefers the in-person stuff, thank you.

[Christen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marshall is at his best when he tells stories of the Lakota history. Many of his other writings seem to bemoan change. He encourages us to value our families and treat them well. But he seems unaware of families that do not treat their members well. As a result, the book meanders and is uneven.

[Mariana Palova · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Es muy curioso que, un libro que está destinado a darte un mensaje positivo e inspirarte, termine haciendo tanto eso como llenarte de frustración y coraje. Fue hermoso leer pasajes e historias de la cultura Lakota, anécdotas y leyendas tan bellas por parte de Joseph, un hombre nativo americano. Pero al mismo tiempo, sentí una enorme potencia y rabia al ver cómo los cristianos pisotearon y llevaron casi a la desaparición una cultura tan interesante y sabia como la de los Lakotas (cosa que los cristianos le han hecho a montones de otras culturas con sus evangelizaciones forzadas). En resumidas cuentas, me ha gustado horrores. Es curioso que uno pueda vivir tanto y sentir tantas cosas con tan pocas páginas.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshall teaches life lessons about transformation, simplicity, purpose,strength, and resiliency using the analogy of a traditionally made Lakota bow and arrows. Combining stories from the past and his own experiences, Marshall helps us examine our lives and re-examine the choices that we make. The chapter on transformation reminded me of what I always told my children when they had difficulties to surmount: "This is building character in you." Marshall says it so much better. the chapter on simplicity is the one I need to work on! Very inspiring. I will never be that wise, no matter how old I grow!

[Melinda Flaugher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how Mr.Marshall described how people can be happy with simplicity in life and the importance of respecting your elders. He highlights that everyone on this planet has a purpose even though most will never be a superstar or super athlete. I agree with him that we are losing some of our humanity with to much electronic gizmos in life. Some people may think he is old fashioned but I think he is onto something with the Lakota Way of living

[Judy Desetti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this because it was used on at an online Edmodo conference (8/6/14). It sounded interesting. I thought it might be good to use at school for building character.


The author uses his background as a Lakota and the bow and arrow to discuss 5 areas of character building. Each chapter reads independently. The 5 areas are: transformation, simplicity, purpose, strength, and resiliency.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can be found on Amazon.com as part of the Vine program, or my personal book blog www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It did a superb job of weaving life lessons with life.

[Brian Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not necessarily a book I would read cover to cover, but many fascinating stories to illustrate the importance of specific values.

[Matt G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph created a priceless distinctly American cultural treasure here with many collected stories of Lakota courage. This book is chalk full of penned wisdom and offers insight into Lakota culture. My favorite line was, "Wisdom is the basis of strength in any culture or society." This marks the second book that I have read from him with the first one being on Lakota folklore. I found the first book a little stronger, but this one still left its indelible mark.

My favorite story in the book was the black stone story. Maybe it's because I read this book in increments with two or three-month durations between and it's closest to the one I remember, but I found that story full of meaningful wisdom. It almost became a spiritual experience reading this book as I felt the stories were speaking to me on a deep level.

The other part that I found rich with insight was something along the lines of, "You choose how you see the journey."

[Brook Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent legends! Marshall is a top-notch Native storyteller. Occasionally he offers up nuggets of gold when it comes to how the Lakota lived in the old days. As an author researching Lakota culture, his books are most useful and make for easy reading.

[Pia · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ loved reading this book!