Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2006-05-09
The Santee Sioux uprising is not taught much in American history and has not captured the imagination of Hollywood (though there are movies of the same name, it is not the same event) and as such, most Americans have never heard of the largest massacre that occured in American history, nor is it generally known that the victims were white as opposed to Indian.
Oehler does an excellent job describing an extremely ugly moment in American history, from the murder of farmer Robinson Jones and most of his family which precipitated the 'uprising' to the execution of a relatively few Santee Sioux. In a time when political correctness is the rule of thumb for television or movies, describing the horrorific murders of so many innocent men, women, and children (primarily German or other immigrants) by Indians is inherently unpopular. Most common sources of this event apparently try to minimize the death toll suffered by whites, whereas Oehler gives a range of 400+ to over 1000 persons and then explains how we could never know the exact number then or now of the dead.
I recommend this book highly for the person who wants to know the reality of the greatest single massacre in American history and is not afraid of facing the truth.
Stupid sioux.......2003-08-19
Frankly, I was amazed by this book - probably well founded and true, it made me think a little bit different on plain indians.
First, they really seemed to have been cowards. With the majority of the warriors focussing on unarmed settlers rather than taking care of army troops.
Secondly, they were amazingly separated in thoughts and opinions. Clearly if they would have standed united in that period of time like they did a decade later, history of the midwest might have turned up differently.
Book Description
December 26, 1862. On the day after Christmas, in Mankato, Minnesota, thirty-eight Indians were hanged on the order of President Lincoln. This event stands today as the greatest mass execution in the history of the United States. In Over The Earth I Come, Duane Schultz brilliantly retells one of America's most violent and bloody events--the Great Sioux Uprising of 1862.
Customer Reviews:
Consider the Primary Sources.......2006-08-24
Schultz's work is not among the best narratives about the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862. The work is an over-dramatizated and ahistorical interpretation of the events. In particular, he draws on Harriet E. Bishop McConkey's "Dakota War Whoop" as a source. McConkey's work is often considered a fallible book among Conflict scholars. Even though Schultz's work earned the New York Times Notable Book in 1992, such an award isn't always based on historical merit. In short, consider works by Alan R. Woolworth and Gary Clayton Anderson - both historians of renown with regard to the 1862 Conflict. I propose "Through Dakota Eyes" for a multi-angled approach to the Dakota participants (including Christian, traditional and farming Dakota accounts). As for diversified military accounts, seek "Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars." Kenneth Carley's "The Dakota War of 1862: Minnesota's Other Civil War" is also a good secondary source. If you have the opportunity and interest, it is advisable to visit the sites where these events occurred. Consider a historical field trip to Fort Ridgely, Birch Coolie and/or New Ulm, Minnesota to investigate the nuances of this often oversimplified history.
Parable of The Crow.......2005-12-04
Having grown up with this book, I thought it would be timely to re-read it again after many years. When I was young, this was the book that would always be on my dad's bookshelf or sometimes, when he had fallen asleep in his EZ Chair late at night, I'd go in, take the pipe from his mouth and tamp it into a nearby ashtray, and remove this book from his lap where he lay sleeping.
We grew up thinking that the tragic events of New Ulm and the other Great Plains sites had happened, perhaps, next door to us on the North Shore of Long Island, for those were the days when large wooded areas were still undeveloped and the paths worn down by Native tribes were still in use. Children read things in funny ways and some of my father's and grandfather's tales were enough to make us think that we too shared the blood of the Dakota people. This book was originally published 13 years ago and was an instant classic. As a young man I argued with my dad about why did author Schultz insist on spilling out the gory details of the Sioux rebellion against white settlers (largely German born and in some cases, German was all they spoke)? Wasn't it designed to stir up bad feeling against the present day descendants of the tribe? If there were any left especially after the executions of so many, including the pragmatic, intuitive, and charismatic leader, Little Crow?
My father said it was like a parable and for that reason the bord "Crow," which we also had plenty of on Long Island, had been adopted as the totem of many Plains Indians, was because the crow sees further than any other bird, and that the slaughter was a by product of basically a prophetic genius (Li'l Crow) who could see into the future, not only the future of his tribe but also beyond the borders of the plains and out to the oceans on either side of the North American continent. The blood spilled by the victims of the uprising, long gone now into the earth, bubbles up again, red and warm, in Schultz's pages. It's as if he couldn't help himself (as a historian) any more than the original "egg" quarrel could have been avoided. As an example, my father also enjoyed the still-ongoing "Crow" film series especially with the late Brandon Lee, claiming that the creators of the "Crow" movies had based their plots on the 1862 events. Hmmm, who knows!
He often spoke in parables, and some of the meaning he wanted to impart to his children was lost in ambiguity. He is gone now but reading OVER THE EARTH I COME returns him to me a little.
Amazing first hand accounts.......2005-09-16
I am an avid reader of western fiction like Louis L'Amour. This book is even better, it is first-hand true accounts of the Sioux Uprising in Minnesota in 1862. I loved it because it presented both sides of the situation in graphic detail. I read it in 2 days and normally a book like this would take me a month of 10 or 15 minute sessions. I couldn't put it down and I have already loaned it to three friends who were equally impressed. Buy it, Read it!
Very Informative and Fairly Object.......2003-12-18
As a native of New Ulm, I found this book to be extremely interesting. I realized that I have been to most of these places including Lake Shetek, Fort Ridgely, and Birch Coulee where we sometimes had scout camps. It is hard to imagine some of the scenes that happened at each one of these beautiful landmarks today. Schultz does an excellent job of tying all of these places together. If you live in Minnesota, you should read this book. The narrative flows along very smoothly from one exciting tale to the next making it near impossible to put the book down.
Overall, Schultz seems pretty objective. I do not believe that there is anything in the book that Schult does not believe is factual. It is possible that the stories about the atrocoties committed may have changed some over time. It is impossible to tell exactly what is exactly true. I think that Schultz had an obligation to tell as many stories as he could find, no matter how bad it made the Sioux or Dakota look. Schultz puts a lot of effort into explaining Little Crow's side of the story. I got a new perspective about how this war started. The ending is really sad when he explains how the Indian's freedom was striped away from all of them whether they were innocent or guilty. Many were needlessly punished.
The next time that I visit the Minnesota River Valley I intend to visit some of the Memorials or Monuments. I found a good lisiting of them at http://www.rrcnet.org/~historic.
Greek Tragedy in Minnesota, circa 1862.......2002-11-13
In "Over the Earth I Come," military historian Duane Schultz writes a popular history of the infamous Dakota uprising of 1862. The title of the book comes from a Dakota chant of defiance, a fitting title for a book that describes the efforts of a people to cast off the heavy chains of hopelessness, starvation, and general depravation forged through contact with the American government and its Indian agents.
Schultz writes a gripping account of all aspects of the uprising and the aftereffects of the rebellion. The author weaves narratives of survivors with political and military events of the uprising into a seamless and compelling account of this unfortunate incident in American history. According to Schultz, some 500 to 2000 whites died in the uprising, many of them German settlers unaware of the danger they faced from the angry Dakotas. Hundreds of Dakotas died as well in the futile military campaigns launched against Fort Ridgley, New Ulm, and at the battle of Birch Coulee. The uprising was a tragedy for everyone involved, from the white women and children who died in astonishingly brutal ways, to the Indians who lost their freedom and lands as a result of the uprising, to President Abraham Lincoln who signed a death warrant for 38 Dakotas (Lincoln lessened the tragedy somewhat by commuting some 264 death sentences). Schultz conveys the tragedy with a heartfelt eloquence that brings tears to your eyes.
Early in the book, Schultz examines the causes of the uprising. Was the uprising inevitable? Schultz's answer is a resounding NO! The Dakotas rebelled against the government agents and white settlers due to starvation, a tardy annuity payment, and poor treatment by Indian agents and German settlers. Cultural factors also played a role, as the government played Indians off against each other by rewarding Indians who played by the rules (those who adopted white culture and farming methods), and withholding supplies from "blanket" Indians (those who refused to adopt an alien culture in order to preserve their ancient way of life). The Indians who refused to adopt white culture watched their converted kin collect supplies and food from government warehouses anytime they needed it, while the blanket Indians collected their food on a set schedule. The blanket Indians eventually formed a soldier's lodge and planned military action against the whites. A harmless incident over some eggs on a white farm escalated into the murder of a family of whites, and the war was on.
Schultz spends much time discussing Little Crow, the leader of the uprising. Little Crow, who initially opposed the uprising, eventually changed his mind and supported the revolt, a decision that doomed Little Crow and his people. After discussing Schultz's presentation of Little Crow with a friend, he asked if Schultz relied on the "noble savage" stereotype while discussing Little Crow. I don't think that is the case here, as Little Crow appears as a politically astute politician, saddened over the deaths of white children and white women while generally making the best of a situation rapidly spiraling beyond his control.
In a move sure to bring about howls of protest from the politically correct crowd who believe Indians can do no wrong, Schultz provides graphic details of the slaughter and torture of white settlers caught in the uprising. Through the use of narrative accounts, we see Indian braves on a murder spree of shocking proportions. Indians dashed the heads of children against trees, dropped rocks on people's heads, and tore limbs from still living children. Indians shook hands in a gesture of "friendship" with whites, and then shot them when they turned their backs. The list of atrocities goes on and on. As bad as these descriptions are, there are many worse ones found in this book. It is understandable that whites howled for blood when the uprising came to an end.
At the same time, Schultz shows us the many Indians disgusted at the behavior of their fellow Indians. Just as people sheltered Jews during World War II, some Indians risked life and limb to protect innocent whites. These Indian men and women were truly saviors to many. But in keeping with the theme of tragedy, Schultz explains how a few innocent Indians died on the gallows; one of them was Chaska, an Indian who protected Sarah Wakefield, a white woman taken captive early in the uprising. Despite Sarah's protestations (or perhaps because of them; whites were not interested in letting any Indian off the hook), Chaska ended up on the gallows.
As a popular history, "Over the Earth I Come" does have its limitations. For example, in his discussion on the causes of the uprising, Schultz completely fails to mention the Spirit Lake massacre in 1857 and the withholding of annuity funds by the government in order to force the Indians to do what the government told them to do. Both of these events contributed to the uprising, and discussing them is essential in understanding the events that followed.
"Over the Earth I Come" is an excellent, well written introduction to this troubling event in American history. The book has all the trappings of a novel: dramatic battles, perilous escapes, mind blowing ironies and "what-ifs," and touching stories of human kindness. Schultz conveys the multiple tragedies of this sad event with great sympathy and understanding.
Book Description
In August of 1862, the Santee (Dakota) Sioux tribe launched a spontaneous revolt against their white neighbors. Looting and killing, the Santee Sioux ravaged the unprotected countryside and small towns of southern Minnesota. When it was all over, more than five hundred people died. But the killing was not yet over: after a quick trial, thirty-eight Santee Sioux were later hanged to death in the largest mass execution in U.S. history.
Average customer rating:
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German Pioneer Accounts of the Great Sioux Uprising of 1862
Don Heinrich Tolzmann
Manufacturer: Little Miami Pub. Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
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General
| United States
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| History
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General
| Civil War
| United States
| Americas
| History
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Minnesota
| State & Local
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ASIN: 0971365768 |
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1862, the great Sioux uprising
F. J Patten
Manufacturer: F.J. Patten
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Native American Studies
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ASIN: B0007H7D10 |
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From the Gold Rush to the Great Sioux Uprising
B. Marvis
Manufacturer: Chelsea House Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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| History & Historical Fiction
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ASIN: 0791041816 |
Customer Reviews:
Informative, but re-cycled.......2001-01-02
Almost every chapter in AGES is duplicated in Jackson's more voluminous "Man God and Civilization", but AGES is still an excellent dissertation on ancient civilizations, especially for those who may not have time to read MG&C.
Starting with the "Early Stages of the World," Jackson visits Egyptian, Chinese, Greek and Roman societies, among others, to dissect events that contributed to their respective risings and fallings. Islam and Christianity are also looked at for their roles in developing societies. (He pulls no punches -- Jackson is a proud atheist.)
Persons interested in African contributions to modern society should consider this a must read. I'd give it five stars if, again, most of the info wasn't already in the other book.
Book Description
Introducing Barthes brilliantly explains Barthes' application of these ideas to literature and popular culture, and shows why he was a key figure in the structuralist movement.
Customer Reviews:
Good Stuff.......2007-05-01
As a student of literature, I am expected to know about critical/literary theory. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I often find the reading to be very difficult, and often times, I need a little help teasing out the ideas presented beneath a proverbial mountain of specialized jargon.
I have always been partial to Barthes, he's a very interesting man to say the least. This book was the spark that got me more deeply involved in his writings. I will have to disagree with the prudes who take issue with the book's illustrations. Yes, they can be perceived as a bit lewd or lascivious, but they're certainly enough to keep the pages turning. The fact is, Barthes, like Foucault, did not keep his homosexual life/appetites a secret, so the fact that there are some wild illustrations involved shouldn't make such a big stir. We are all presumably adults here. Thody , in my opinion, does a very good job of presenting difficult ideas in layman's terms.
There is certainly no shame in owning/reading the "Introducing" books; sometimes we need a little help figuring out what the hell is going on in theoretical writing. These books are fantastic gateways into the otherwise closed world of theory and philosophy. Highly recommended.
weird illustrations.......2002-11-22
I decided to pick this book up because I liked some other books of this serie. I have no prior knowledge of Barthes's theories, so I can't say whether the book itself is accurate. Overall the book is easy to follow, and the author seems very knowledgeable on the subject.
My biggest problems are the illustrations. I don't like the drawing style itself, but the content of the pictures perplex me. The drawings are somewhat crude to say the least, and I couldn't understand the relationship between the picture and the text. I can understand there being a little cartoon of people in an orgy when the text is talking about Barthes' perception of Sade's literary work.pictures. But a lot of the other illustration had sexual content where I couldn't see its relevance to the text. I expect to see that kind of art in Indy comics, not in a book that talks about semiotics and the like.
One of the Best from an Uneven series.......2001-05-15
I have now read several of the books from this series and, I think it is safe to say that the usefulness and quality of the books varies greatly. I like the idea of using cartoons to assist the reader in understanding difficult ideas. Unfortunately, the illustrations in some of the books add nothing to them but confusion. In addition, the writing can be flat and thick, the writer having failed to take the playfulness of the series into account. Introducing Kant is a perfect example. That having been said, Introducing Barthes is without a doubt the best of the 10 or so books of the Introducing series I have read so far. The writer shows a deep sensitivity when discussing Barthes both as a thinker and as a person, and he illustates a great deal of personal reflection regarding Barthes' ideas--this is not stuff straight off the shelf. This book was written by someone who has a deep appreciation of Barthes, and it shows. This is what most impressed me. Clearly, this text reflects the intentions of the series in its attempt to bring a difficult subject down to earth. If you want to get a foothold into Barthes, this is an excellent place to begin.
A total disgrace to literary theory and criticism.......2001-01-16
This book is an extremely superficial review of Barthes' theories. The illustrations are disgusting and totally not appropriate for this book. Roland Barthes was one of the greatest mid-20th century critics and philosophers and this is not the type of book he deserves. Whoever is interested in Roland Barthes is definitely not looking for this type of book. It is a total disgrace to his books and his persona.
Book Description
A look at the building blocks of postmodernism: structuralism, deconstruction, semiotics and the postmodern icons. B/W illustrations throughout.
Customer Reviews:
The Torrential Stream of Postmodernism (Don't Let The Pictures Fool You).......2007-05-18
Postmodernism impacts our approach to the arts, our understanding of history, and our understanding of faith. The Introduction to Posmodernism presents a torrential stream of modern and postmodern thinkers and the boundaries they have bent and broken in order to redefine human reality and existence for the past century. Recently I have been watching how postmodernity and faith interact. More often than not postmodernity seems to be the jackhammer philosophy ready to make a go at the bedrock in God's Truth - "the word made flesh."
The "word made flesh" and "truth" in the Biblical sense are terms postmoderns avoid. Logocentrism strives to perfectly represent the world through reason and the perfect "word.". This rational (man centered) approach to words can never reveal the perfection it seeks (the word made flesh). Harold Bloom's latest book, "Jesus and Yahweh: The Names Divine," presents a logocentric quest for Christ. Bloom seeks legitimization for belief through reason (not faith) and fails to find perfection in the word (as approached without God).
Postmodernism presents us with a "new type of knower." Where once the acquisition of knowledge was linked to how we trained our minds; now the acquisition of knowledge is dependent upon our link to cyber-knowledge. One of my students recently quipped that he would love to have a hard drive in his head where he could just download his college education - like something from a Philip K. Dick novel.
Postmodernism blends truth and fiction leading to a destructive approach to history. I wonder how will this disregard for the past will impact Biblical truth? Here I think of Gore Vidal's postmodern tale "Live from Golgotha" where hackers erode the Gospel message prompting journalists to travel in time back to Golgotha to report the events that happened there. In postmodern Christian culture, biblical Truth and tradition gives way to C-Pop music, multimedia displays and book studies. These practices pared with the prevalence of paraphrased and inclusive Bibles (modified for easier digestion - like Olestra) hint at the destruction of the Truth (and Christian heritage) by Christians.
Postmodern ideologies began in art and philosophy. These ideologies have now taken root in the church, our universities, along with media and entertainment channels. How then shall postmodernism end? I predict a great fall, like that of the Roman Empire which had taken influence on much of the world. After the crash (re)birth of culture and (re)formation of faith. And if the book is right, a (re) birth of romanticism.
It isn't the best book I have read on the subject, but does a pretty good job of presenting complex concepts in a simple way..........2007-05-07
"Introducing Postmodernism", by Richard Appignanesi, is just as its name suggests, a good basic introduction to Postmodernism. This small and engaging book traces the origins of the concept and its evolution, from the points of view of theory, art and science. Truth to be told, it isn't the best book I have read on the subject, but does a pretty good job of presenting complex concepts in a simple way, and giving you a general idea of what Postomodernism is about.
If that is what you are looking for, this is likely to be the book for you. In case you need or want to know more, you will need to read other books too, but this would be nonetheless an adequate starting point. From my point of view, "Introducing Postmodernism" is worth your time. Recommended :)
Belen Alcat
clear introduction to a confusing topic.......2007-03-16
Introducing Postmodernism is a basic introduction to Postmodern thought. As it is a basic introduction, it does not go very far into depth on any one aspect of Postmodern thought. Still, it clearly represents the main aspects of Postmodernism namely, legitimization, reproducibility and hyper reality. Before reading this book I had no idea what Postmodernism was, now at least I have some idea. The book includes a useful list of books for further reading at the end. Also, you can read about some of the main thinkers in other totem books for example Introducing Derrida.
Good Read, Yet not quite an introduction.......2007-01-09
This book I find more of a reference than an introduction. I was looking for a gooding starting point for postmodernism, and was led to this book. Half the book is the complex world of modernism, followed by linguistic theory, and finally ending with interesting theories of current events.
I must say if postmodernism is of interest for you get this book. But this book will probably only leave you with more questions. I find it more of a picture reference book.
Taking the authors advice---I bought both 'The postmodern condition' and 'simulacra and simulation'. Having just read the condition, I felt that provided a indepth read into the subject. Introducing Postmodernism then provided an easy reference to clarify some arguments.
Suggestion for those new to the subject:
1. Buy this book and a good book on the introduction of modernism. If you do not have a solid understanding of modernism...goodluck.
2. Buy 'The Postmodern Condition'--it is a difficult read -- yet many key concepts appear.
Introducing Postmodernism is a GOOD book, not great, but it does intice one to learn more with the new questions that should arise, and deal with some issues that are not very postmodern yet are considered PM. PERHAPS THAT IS WHAT A GOOD INTRODUCTION OF POSTMODERNISM SHOULD CONSIDER ITS CHIEF GOAL.
Biting off more than you can chew.......2006-02-17
'Introducing Postmodernism' is a good source to gather names of philosophers, architects, artists, anthropologists, linguists, and everyone in between that have been somehow connected to PM. The problem, and it is a big one, is that this style of tour de force writing does little to contextualize all these diverse disciplines. Sure, if you only have half an hour to read up on PM, you can whip through this book and go on with your life. But if you're wanting to really absorb the phenomenon, and perhaps go on to read more, this book is NOT the place to start. Check out David Harvey's 'Condition of Postmodernism.' This will rip the top of your head clean off! It's much more weighty (in every sense of the word), but your understanding of PM will vastly improve, and will better prepare you to go on to other important writers of the 'genre'.
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