71 pages • 2 hours read
David TreuerThe Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer offers a comprehensive narrative of Indigenous history from 1890 to the present, emphasizing Indigenous resilience and agency rather than portraying them solely as victims. Drawing inspiration from the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre and Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Treuer counters Brown’s tragic narrative by documenting Indigenous communities’ endurance and adaptation in the face of displacement, forced assimilation, and cyclical poverty. The book delves into the long history of Indigenous tribes, their interactions with European settlers, and the continuous challenges and triumphs faced, including the rise of the American Indian Movement and the diverse ways Indigenous people have found prosperity in contemporary times. The text includes descriptions of historical violence and systemic oppression.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
David Treuer’s The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee provides a compelling narrative that reframes Native American history with cultural richness and contemporary perspectives. Readers appreciate the blend of historical detail and personal stories, though some find its dense information overwhelming. Overall, it revitalizes an essential American narrative.
Who Should Read The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee?
Readers who relish comprehensive historical narratives with a focus on Native American perspectives will appreciate David Treuer’s The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee. Fans of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Charles Mann’s 1491 will find this book compelling for its blend of history, culture, and personal stories.