Rating: 
Summary: A From the Heart Book
Review: A compelling and "Truth From The Heart Book". Just about everything you want to know about AIM, Wounded Knee and the man - Russell Means. In the 60 winters he has lived, he has been on quite a journey. No two tongue speaking here.
Rating:
Summary: Hero!
Review: A man who overcomes his demons, a warrior and a humaniterian, a natural born leader with a sometimes bloody heart, but at the same time humble and forever devoted to his people - that's the stuff Heros are made of - but they don't come like this no more.....
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: As a white male this book,to me, was like being dunked in an ice cold river.I would like to thank Russell Means for honestly sharing his life. I have not enjoyed, or been moved this much since the first time I read "A Canticle For Liebowitz". I already new many of the atrocities committed by "whites" on native peoples. However, this book relays the tradegy and triumph of a great warrior and fragile human being. BEAUTIFUL -- READ IT! (and maybe get off our rear ends and do something for justice).
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Summary: Powerful, riveting, and a learning experience.
Review: His narrative on his experiences growing up and as an adult are interesting to say the least. Also has a lot of information on his work in AIM and the contributions he tried to make for his people, in freedom of rights and to improve situations in this country for Native Americans. Also some historical information about Wounded Knee, Alcatraz, and more.Your opinion might be different but I enjoyed the book. Don't let the amount of pages deter you. I was engrossed through the whole book.
Rating: 
Summary: A book written with a lot of heart.
Review: I'm sure Russell wrote this book, looking over his life and times. But there are people out there who knew him as he really was. He left out alot of people who helped him in more ways than one. But he did help the people come out of the woodwork, and to be proud to be Native American, And to stand up for thier rights.
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Summary: awsome book!
Review: If you want to understand the REAL HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICANS READ IT FROM REAL NATIVE AMERICANS NOT FROM WHITE PEOPLE, OR FROM ANTHROPOLOGISTS WHO DON'T KNOW NOTIHNG! READ THIS BOOK AND YOU WILL LEARN ALOT ABOUT THE REAL HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICANS , AIM, AND MOST OF ALL ABOUT RUSELL MEANS! THEY DON'T CALL HIM THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA FOR NOTHING!
Rating:
Summary: excellent--means is at times chilling, but honest.
Review: Means says at the end of the book that he is undergoing anger therapy. It's not surprising, with all the bad raps he's had. Means seems, though,to find ways to be in the wrong place, and has trouble with forum vehicles. It's a hard book to absorb when your own life is so uneventful by comparison. Which means: read it, by all means.
Rating:
Summary: Good Autobiography
Review: Most people have probably heard of Russell Means at some point. Means is the best known member of the American Indian Movement (AIM). AIM was the group that took over Wounded Knee in the early 1970's and engaged in numerous protests to try and bring attention to the plight of the Native American. This autobiography not only gives the reader a detailed description of the life of Russell Means, but insights into the philosophy of this revolutionary. While AIM has receded into the background quite a bit since its glory days, Means is still going strong. This book shows us why. The book doesn't flinch from unpleasantness. We find out that Means' parents were abusive and that his father was an alcoholic. Russell himself became mixed up in drugs during his youth and quickly became sucked into the same alcoholic world that his father inhabited. Throughout his career as a member of AIM, Means drank constantly until he finally came to terms with this problem and discovered that his rage could be controlled. During the course of the book we see Russell being beaten up, shot, arrested numerous times, and imprisoned for his activities. This guy has seen it all, and the picture on the front of the book tells me that I would hate to be on this man's bad side. He's tough, but cares deeply for his people and what he believes in, a trait that is certainly noble and admirable. What comes across most strongly in this book is how AIM helped Means find his spirituality. Before becoming conscious of his heritage, Means spent most of his time in bars drinking. Once he gained awareness of his heritage, Means took part in numerous rituals, such as the Sun Dance and crying for visions. The book goes into intricate detail in describing the importance of these rituals and how they are practiced. This spirituality helped Means to quit drinking and allowed him to begin taking care of his family (which is sprawling; he was married a lot and has many children). The element of spirituality in the book is important because for years many Indians were denied the right to practice their religious ceremonies by the federal government. Even now, according to Means, there is still opposition to some of the ceremonies. The last several chapters of the book show why AIM became increasingly insignificant. Fractures within the group over spiritual matters escalated, and Means himself became wrapped up in trivial issues. Means associated himself with Larry Flynt, the Unification Church, and the Libertarian Party. All of these associations reflected poorly on what AIM tried to accomplish. The final straw seemed to be when Means defended the Indians in Nicaragua against the Communist Sandinista regime. The Indians there were being bombed and killed by the Communists, and Means spends a chapter or two showing how serious this was. American Leftists and other pro-Marxists vilified Means when he proved his case. These people just couldn't accept that Commies were killing indigenous people. This is an excellent book that will make people think about their culture. I recommend this to anyone interested in Native American studies or political movements. Russell Means, whether you agree with his life or not, should be commended for standing up for what he believes in and never backing down. We should all be more like that.
Rating:
Summary: Honest and thought provoking!
Review: Mr Means has been on a journey most of us white bread types would not attempt even if we had to. His auto biography is candid, sincere and an inspiration!!! Like or dislike his politics, his mistakes or triumphs -- this is a man that is a Human being to the bone and lives and learns as we all do. Fortunately or unfortunately , being an "Indian" human being has colored his world and showed him the worst side of humanity, but also shown him the best we humans have to offer. This is a man I admire and respect greatly. He is a good man that loves this earth and his people -- a true patriot for his people. (And in my mind a patriot for the human race) Hoka Hey!! Russell!!! (a must read for any one that 'thinks' they 'know' what the American Indian faces in this society. As Vine Deloria implied, in "Custer Died for Your Sins" ...."we who think we 'Understand" Indians...by a trip through Arizona, watching a documentary or having known one or read a BOOK 'about them!" For some of us that is what fires our couriosity and admiration, but Mr. Means tells you the reality of being an American Indian in the United states of america during his life time. Again Russell--Hoka hey--
Rating:
Summary: Russel Means really opened my eyes and my heart.
Review: Russel Means has writen a powerful and provoking book about his life and the current plight of a people (Native American Indians and other indigenous peoples) that need thier indentiy preserved for thier own sake as much as for ours. He showed me that to lose thier song of life with all it's celebrations, joys, hardships and pain will damage the diversity of all people in our world. I hope many more people will buy and read this book and then pass it on to someone else so they may do the same. After reading his book I feel that I have meet him and have seen into his heart. I feel that it is true and good and what he wants for his people and for all people is for them to be free. Thanks Russel for your story and sharing your spirit that goes with it.
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