Rating: 
Summary: A funny, interesting life history of a Native American.
Review: The life story of John (Fire) Lamedeer is laced with a humorous tone that will keep you reading. Lamedeer tells the tales and adventures of his life and dealing with the westward push of white settlers. You learn about life on the reservation and the traditions and beliefs of an ancient culture. Lamedeer takes us with on drunken adventures, peyote rituals, and religious ceremonies. You're guaranteed to laugh at his stories and feel for his despair in this close up look at the life of an Indian just trying to live as his people always had: free
Rating:
Summary: The perfect blend...
Review: There is humor. Lame Deer has an excellent sense of just where to find your funny bone! I broke out in laughter more than once. I'm quite sure the other people on the bus think I'm nuts! But, we all have a heyoka inside of us, eh? He even asks us to laugh at ourselves a little. It's historical, and teaches you some things that definitely should have been taught in school. It's cultural, and denotes some interesting differences between Indian and other groups of people. I like the book on the whole, and strongly recommend it as reading for anyone considering hanblechia. My fiancee' is starting his sun dance next year, and I wanted to educate myself further as to what that entails. It's a great read!
Rating: 
Summary: it's good
Review: This book is good because it was born from an unlikely friendship. Some people maybe should never be together, but the world brings them together for whatever reason. This odd pair, Richard Erdoes and John Fire nee Lame Deer, came together for many reasons, I'm sure, and one of them is the creation of this book. Lame Deer maybe chose Richard, and I feel maybe even gave him the gift to write, cause after this he goes on to do books with Mary Brave Bird and Leonard Crow Dog; letting their stories be told, just as he lets Lame Deer's story to be told. The philosophy expressed, the stories told, and the personality exposed in this book are beyond words. Lame Deer is a straight shooter. He tells it as he sees it. This can be very eye-opening and illuminating. He is real, living in reality, and at a level only very few people ascend to: the Holy Man. Very few of them walk the earth, and even fewer ever have their lives, thoughts, etc. recorded. We should feel happy we can read this, for it has power. I give it one star cause five ant enough, and one makes more sense than a mere five.
Rating: 
Summary: Frank, Funny, and Irreverent look at life.
Review: You will find yourself laughing out loud at the antics in this book numerous times. I almost fell out of my chair when the book detailed Lame Deer's crime spree of moonshine whiskey and stolen cars. ;-) This one story alone os worth twice the price of the book!There is much wisdom in this book; but the ceremonies in this book are not entirely accurate. Many American Indian Nations witheld accurate information, but now more and more of them are coming forward and releasing accurate information. Even some of the Hopi Elders came forward about two years ago and released some of their sacred prophecies. I hope it is not too late. I am deeply disturbed by the Kettle dance, but I am not of that culture, and have no right to judge it. I would like to give this book five stars but I can't because some of the ceremonies are wrong. I say the ceremonies are wrong because I have read ceremonies in many other books, and I have several full blooded American Indian friends, and they confirmed what I read in these other sources. I recommend these books regarding American Indian Spirituality in the order listed. "The Sacred Pipe" Joseph Epes Brown "Native Wisdom" Ed McGaa "Mother Earth Spirituality" Ed McGaa "Foolscrow: Wisdom And Power" Thomas E. Mails "Black Elk: The Sacred ways of the Lakota" Wallace Black Elk & William S. Lyons. I recommend "The Sacred Pipe" highest because Mr. Brown actualy lived with the famous holyman Nick Black Elk for a few months while gathering information for this book. Then; there are some books written by Indians that are full of new age pap because it sells. ;-( I am the proud carrier of a Catlinite (pipestone) pipe that my American Indian friends helped me obtain. I agree with the 1990 quote by Orval Looking Horse "No one should be denied a peace pipe.". If you have questions or comments; E-mail me. Two Bears. Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)
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