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From the Deep Woods to Civilization: Chapters in the Autobiography of an Indian
In an earlier book, Indian Boyhood, Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa) recounted the story of his traditional Sioux Childhood and youth.
From the Deep Woods to Civilization
, first published in 1916, continues the narrative, beginning with his abrupt entry into the mainstream of Anglo-American life in 1873 at the age of fifteen. Eastman went on to become one of the best kn
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Paperback
,
230 pages
Published
September 1st 1977
by University of Nebraska Press
(first published 1902)
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Eastman's memoir is written in careful and dignified prose and details the events of his transition from native life to "civilization." The memoir begins with the author's extraction from his tribe by his long-absent father, who has returned to raise his son in the ways of the white man. Despite the cultural shift, Eastman seems to flourish in his new setting and becomes enamored with most facets of white culture.
One of the most interesting parts of the narrative is how casually the author, orig ...more
One of the most interesting parts of the narrative is how casually the author, orig ...more
The author’s father was arrested, along with dozens of others, after the 1862 Indian revolt in Minnesota, and was presumed executed. The boy was raised by his grandmother and uncle among a band of Sioux that had fled across the Canada line. When he was a teenager, his father (who had been pardoned by Lincoln and converted to Christianity) unexpectedly returned for him and brought him to his Dakota homestead. He sent him to the white man’s school to learn to read and write.
Ohiyesa, who now went ...more
Ohiyesa, who now went ...more
From the Deep Woods to Civilization is the account of Charles Alexander Eastman/Ohiyesa's journey through boarding school, Beloit and Dartmouth Colleges, his early years as a physician, and his career in public service. Spanning the 1870s through 1910s, the book is an important document of crucial decades in American Indian history.
To those that value traditional Sioux culture, Deep Woods may be disturbing because Eastman repeatedly renounces his upbringing in favor of Euro-American culture. Not ...more
To those that value traditional Sioux culture, Deep Woods may be disturbing because Eastman repeatedly renounces his upbringing in favor of Euro-American culture. Not ...more
This is pretty hard to read. In some ways the guy really did the best he could. In other ways, he was a total sellout. You can hardly blame him... but things come out of his mouth that REALLY SHOULDN'T. Get what I mean?
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I think every American should read this book in high school. It is fantastic and sheds light into a difficult period of our history. Eastman believed his father was hung at Fort Snelling after the Dakota Conflict. When his father returned a Christian farmer when Eastman was 15, he returned home to Minnesota with him. From there he attended boarding schools and colleges. Upon completing his education out east as a doctor, Eastman went to the Pine Ridge Reservation -- where he treated those massac
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Historically interesting, even if it was a political book, and somewhat sentimentalist.
Eastman lived through the Sioux uprisings of the second half of the nineteenth century, had two uncles who fought at the Little Bighorn, converted to Christianity, went to Dartmouth, was doctor to the survivors of the Wounded Kneee Massacre, became to be a lobbyist for American Indians in DC and worked tirelessly for peace, real civilization (he criticized the hypocrisy of the "practice " of civilization he witnessed in the United States). He wrote in a lucid, insightful and deliberate manner. B
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Muito se pode retirar deste livro. Desde conhecimento histórico nesse período tão marcante para toda as culturas ditas "selvagens", que se viram a embater numa outra que trazia uma dita "civilização", às tradições e modo de estar de velho modo de vida secular.
The first half was much more fascinating to me, but the entire book was a well written autobiography. I definitely recommend reading this if you're interested in a first-hand account from a member of the Dakota.
A great account of a Native American man living between his original and white cultures. Witness to Wounded Knee. A first rate book for teaching.
This book inspired me to study Administrative Law more diligently today.
Some great stuff at the end critiquing Christianity and America.
Pretty good. I enjoyed it and it was very interesting.
Just starting this, for my lit class.
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(1858-1939) Charles Alexander Eastman is unique among Indian writers, whether storytellers or oral historians. He was raised traditionally, as a Woodland Sioux, by his grandmother, from 1858 - 1874, until he was 15. He thus gained a thorough first-hand knowledge of the lifeways, language, culture, and oral history.
His father (thought to have been hanged at Mankato, Minnesota) reappeared and insis ...more
More about Charles Alexander Eastman...
His father (thought to have been hanged at Mankato, Minnesota) reappeared and insis ...more
