Witness: A Hunkpapha Historian's Strong-Heart Song of the Lakotas

This is an magnificent book. It is not often that previously unpublished primary material on 19th century Lakota life is made available to the public, and in this case the material is almost overwhelming--in a good way. Josephine Waggoner's manuscript is a gift; it contains so many invaluable details, this will certainly become principle source material for many historians.But note, this is not dry information. The text takes you into the world of the Hunkpapa Lakotas and their allies, foes and friends. It gives a beautiful insight into the lives of a proud and strong people. In addition to the historical narration, there are sixty fascinating biographies of Lakota and Dakota leaders, and a very nice selection of Lakota Winter Counts. Emily Levine did a tremendous job of editing and annotating the manuscript, taking care to keep the original text intact while ensuring readability and providing insights where the original text may have been lacking in detail. Her well-researched notes and the photos are reason enough to buy this book.The book is huge, more than 800 pages thick, and could probably have been sold in two volumes. Yet any discomfort you may have from its weight is offset entirely when you start reading it. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Plains Indians and the western frontier, you won't regret it.

Nearly 800 Pages, 200 Images - a Mountain of Information , footnotes and comments. The history AND memories of a educated mixed blood (Lakota - White) Woman. History from inside. The Editor Emily Levine did a real labour of Love.

Excellent book

An invaluable history of the Lakota and Dakota people and life in the Dakotas in the 1800s and early 1900s. The book is full of beautiful photographs, maps, family trees, winter counts, creation stories, Lakota phonology and pronunciation, detailed descriptions of chiefs by band, as well as details about Josephine's interesting life on Standing Rock Reservation, at Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Virginia, and interactions with Custer, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and other historical figures.Emily Levine did an incredible job over the past decades researching and editing Josephine McCarthy Waggoner's manuscripts and other historical resources to ensure that this book and With My Own Eyes: A Lakota Woman Tells Her People's History became published.Emily achieved her mission, "...seventy years after her death, we can belatedly give Josephine McCarthy Waggoner the respect that she is due and honor her with this edition of her life's work." Our family is eternally grateful for Emily's endeavors!

great book - a true treasure and in due time will become a rare book and will be highly priced. It is a valuable addition to my specialized private library and in fact I have been offered already more than once considerably more money if I were to sell my copy