Rating: 
Summary: Must read for environmentalists and spiritual seekers
Review: Eagle Man makes a compelling plea for environmental and social responsibility, in a context of First Nations (specifically Oglala Sioux) history, spirituality, and worldview. I found this book was a great introduction to Oglala culture including information on further resources and an extensive glossary of Lakota terms. It has inspired me to pursue further study of Lakota spirituality. I look forward to reading Eagle Man's other writings.
Rating: 
Summary: Ed's View of How Things Are...
Review: I enjoyed this book, even the parts I disagree with...because it seems to be a pretty straightforward/honest depiction of someone's contemporary spirituality and why it is what it is...although the "why" part is often tucked between the lines. As has already been mentioned, the book is basically an extended answer to a set of questions that were presented to different representatives of different spiritual traditions at a specific conference. The book though, is much more. The questions simply give the book some structure. It essentially is a "track" a footprint in the sands of time as it concerns the reconstruction of Lakota spirituality after things started getting a little better in the seventies. It seems to me Ed McGaa is right there at the tail end (and that's not a bad place to be) of that time when the Sun Dance was being started up again, and before a lot of the younger people started getting even a little more "reactionary." If you're "Indian" you might enjoy this book to see how Mr. McGaa sees things from his generational perspective and from his dance of life. If you're American, you should read the book to see what you might have been if history would have progressed a little differently, and how you just might "be" if you start to draw on a little bit of Grandmother Earth's Wisdom. Personally, I believe in assimilation...I think it's high time ALL Americans start assimilating a little bit to some aspects of our Native spirituality. This book can serve as a handbook in that regard.
It is not however a "how to" book of Lakota or any other Nation's ceremonies. Because of that, I think I even like this one better than his other book with the pretty cover. There are things I don't particularly like about the book...or the ideas expressed in the book, for e.g. the swipe he takes at Gerald Vizenor, which I think is a tad racist...but at least I can understand that, as it seems they've taken a few literary swings at each other in the past...and I think he has done a slight disservice in not talking a bit more about some of the "problems" we encounter in Native American spiritualities...like putting the whammy on folks, etc., but I guess he does mention it. Anyway, I really enjoyed it and if you're interested in getting in a place more sane than the mainstream, go ahead and order the book.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Native with Sioux Dictionary
Review: I think he is unclear in some of his references, he may have studied with Fools Crow, but Fools Crow never mentioned him, and having had one contact with Eagleman, I am left wondering how much of his words were little more than a springboard for his actual goals? Wisdom is meant to be shared, not necessarily sold and bought. Lets see what he does to walk his talk.
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Summary: WAKE UP & LEARN SOMETHING
Review: If you have any questions about "Native Spirituality", read this book. Eagle Man again makes the logical reasonings of the Native American easy to understand. I personally met him about 3 years ago, and he is the person he comes across as in his books-straight,honest,sincere,kind,& willing to share his knowledge with the world. More of us need to listen to him!!
Rating: 
Summary: Trite
Review: There is MUCH I agree with in this book and some I disagree with.Disagreements first. 1. On page 94 Mr. McGaa implies that Word Processors updates files on disk incrementaly. Only some word processors do this. 2. On page 149 Mr. McGaa categorizes his wotai (personal stone) as a portable altar. I disagree because it is only a stone. I have been carrying a personal stone for years. The Cherokee word is watai. 3. On page 198. Mr. McGaa purports that Democracy was an invenion of the Native Americans. If memory serves Democracy was first practised in the days of Aristotle and Plato. Furthermore the U.S. was not set up as a Democracy. It was set up as a Republic. Now it IS true that the U.S constitution was loosely based on the Iriquois constitution. 4. On page 199, Mr. McGaa perpetuates the myth of the seperation of church and state in the Constitution. There is NO comment of "Seperation of church and state in the constitution. That comment was written by Thomas Jefferson in the Federalist papers not the Constitution. 6. On page 205 Mr. McGaa talks about abortion and contraception. I vehemently disagree with his philosophy of abortion, but do agree with his notion of contraceptives. Agreements: 1. On page 6: I appreciate Mr. McGaa's humility in his comment "I may be wrong. You might be right. I don't know." 2. On page 30: Mr. McGaa purports that "A good teacher welcomes questions." I could not agree more. 3. On page 112: Mr. McGaa purports that the pipe can be considered as a portable altar and I agree completely. The pipe bowl represents the feminine aspects of creation, and the pipe stem represents the masculine forces of creation. Furthermore the smoke is offered to the 7 sacred directions. 4. On Page 112 Mr. McGaa cautions about adding halucinogens in the smoke mixture and I agree completely. 5. On page 121-128 Mr. McGaa lists several things done by some members of the "church". I only wish he has included that the "church" was responsible for the black death. (cats that had kept the rat population in check. were wontonly destroyed because that might be "witches familiars"). 6. On page 207-8 Mr. McGaa discusses homosexuality. I agree completely that Great Spirit does not make mistakes and EVERYONE should be treated with dignity regardless od sexual preference. 7. On page 229 and beyond Mr. McGaa lists words from the Lakota Sioux language, and the English translation. Unfortunately; it is listed by the Lakota words making it extremely difficult to find what you are searching for. 8. On page 241 and beyond Mr. McGaa lists some Lakota Sioux songs used in ceremony. 9. on the cover Mr. McGaa demonstrates a medicine wheel as described in Black Elk's vision. Now Black Elk (mentioned in "Native Wisdom") Is NOT the same gentleman that co-authored "Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota" with William S. Lyon, and furthermore the two gentlemen were not even related. If you have questions or comments; E-Mail me. Two Bears. Wah doh Ogedoda
Rating:
Summary: honest and well intentioned
Review: This book is a compilation of Ed McGaa's lectures at an "upper income, midwestern, metropolitan suburban school". In it, we mainly get his personal views and experiences of the "Natural Way" which, generally speaking, represent the tradition of his native Lakota Sioux. McGaa's credentials are pretty good: he claims to have studied with Frank Fools Crow and Bill Eagle Feather, without doubt two of the most influential Sioux medicine people. This therefore is an opportunity to partake of life experiences of an insider who is willing to share his views of God, religion, spirits and interconnectedness of life. We learn of such key elements of Lakota worldview as the 6 Powers, the Wakamaskan (animal brothers), yuwipi, Sun Dance, details of Black Elk's vision and the attitude of reverence and respect towards the "Great Mystery". Native Americans cannot comprehend the concept of a wrathful, revengful God, nor can they understand the concepts of sin and "being saved". They have seen what we have forgotten - that what makes a person harmonious, kind and peaceful is their closeness to Nature which gifts them the power of presence (is it therefore surprising to see that the people who wreak discord in the world are characterized by their disconnectedness from Nature and their own bodies?) McGaa has a lot of beef with organized religion and by golly do I agree with him. According to him, the concept of heaven and hell was great for the priests trying to to keep in control ignorant masses. The more we shed our ignorance, the closer we get to the Great Spirit and the freer we are from the leeches trying to take over our spiritual life. This is why, says McGaa, knowledge is so crucial. Knowledge leads to wisdom, wisdom leads to understanding, and understanding leads to peace. The key to developing knowledge is observation. We do not have to believe anything : it is enough to be patient, observe and draw conclusions for oneself. In short, this is an eminently practical book written by a knowledgeable person of great integrity. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: honest and well intentioned
Review: This book is a compilation of Ed McGaa's lectures at an "upper income, midwestern, metropolitan suburban school". In it, we mainly get his personal views and experiences of the "Natural Way" which, generally speaking, represent the tradition of his native Lakota Sioux. McGaa's credentials are pretty good: he claims to have studied with Frank Fools Crow and Bill Eagle Feather, without doubt two of the most influential Sioux medicine people. This therefore is an opportunity to partake of life experiences of an insider who is willing to share his views of God, religion, spirits and interconnectedness of life. We learn of such key elements of Lakota worldview as the 6 Powers, the Wakamaskan (animal brothers), yuwipi, Sun Dance, details of Black Elk's vision and the attitude of reverence and respect towards the "Great Mystery". Native Americans cannot comprehend the concept of a wrathful, revengful God, nor can they understand the concepts of sin and "being saved". They have seen what we have forgotten - that what makes a person harmonious, kind and peaceful is their closeness to Nature which gifts them the power of presence (is it therefore surprising to see that the people who wreak discord in the world are characterized by their disconnectedness from Nature and their own bodies?) McGaa has a lot of beef with organized religion and by golly do I agree with him. According to him, the concept of heaven and hell was great for the priests trying to to keep in control ignorant masses. The more we shed our ignorance, the closer we get to the Great Spirit and the freer we are from the leeches trying to take over our spiritual life. This is why, says McGaa, knowledge is so crucial. Knowledge leads to wisdom, wisdom leads to understanding, and understanding leads to peace. The key to developing knowledge is observation. We do not have to believe anything : it is enough to be patient, observe and draw conclusions for oneself. In short, this is an eminently practical book written by a knowledgeable person of great integrity. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Natures Way by Ed McGaa Eagle Man
Review: This book is the truth any person who was raised on the reservation can relate to Natures Way a Ed McGaa has written. I have read the book and found it in many ways brutally accurate and discriptive. There are enough books out there written by non Indian people who have no clue about the actual living and being American Indian. I doubt if anyone can imagine the cruel treatment that the people have had to endure, and still do in this so called civilized world.
I trust that you will do yourself the honor of reading a book actually written by a man who has lived his life as a child in a poverty filled world to the man who has served his country as a warrior and educated himself as a lawyer. Ed McGaa represnts what we all can become, he is a true roll model for our children.
Rating:
Summary: Natures Way by Ed McGaa Eagle Man
Review: This book is the truth any person who was raised on the reservation can relate to Natures Way a Ed McGaa has written. I have read the book and found it in many ways brutally accurate and discriptive. There are enough books out there written by non Indian people who have no clue about the actual living and being American Indian. I doubt if anyone can imagine the cruel treatment that the people have had to endure, and still do in this so called civilized world.
I trust that you will do yourself the honor of reading a book actually written by a man who has lived his life as a child in a poverty filled world to the man who has served his country as a warrior and educated himself as a lawyer. Ed McGaa represnts what we all can become, he is a true roll model for our children.
Rating:
Summary: Wisdom of the Native American Natural Way
Review: This is the Story of Author Ed McGaa's Personal Transformation from the troubled background of being raised under the rigid Christian mindset of the Jesuit Reservation Schools, then thrust into white man's (Washichu's) world of a modern Warrior Fighter Pilot in Viet Nam, completing his Bachelor of Arts in the Biological Sciences, and eventually becoming a Lawyer with a JD Degree. There are few individuals on this Planet who have the insight, experience, education, and "soul toughness" to speak from the position that Ed McGaa comes from. We learn of Ed McGaa's fulfillment of his promise to be pierced in the Sun Dance after surviving 100 missions as a Combat Veteran in Viet Nam. Through his unique storytelling skills, Ed shares his incredible legacy and intimate association with Black Elk's Vision. He brings forth a clear and honest version of his instiatable Quest for Truth in Life and Simple Honesty from his fellow men..."The Natural Way." Ed's shows us how the traditional Native American Worldview can enlighten and simplify our day to day lives, and is celebrated in the ancient Tribal Dances and Ceremonies. Excellant reading! Elliott Maynard, Arcos Cielos Research Center, Sedona, Arizona.
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