On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder - Neither Wolf nor Dog

Great read! I've lived and worked in the southwest many years. Many of the people I work with are Native American ("First People") so this book gave me a deeper understanding of their way of life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that plans to visit a Reservation.

Having been an active trader and dealer in American Indian Art since 1985, the idea of a road-trip story of a white writer and a Lakota elder appealed instantly. Unfortunately for me, this turned out to be a very long-winded, yet justified rant by a very angry Indian Schools era victim. The hapless, well-intentioned journalist, the old guy decided, stood in to accept blame for all the evils that the white race has committed in North America. At one key point, he goes into a very biting rant about white people's racism while painting all white people with "a very broad brush" in the author's words. However, the evil he cries out about was and is real. The Lakota people were almost completed destroyed by the US Army and by later compounded Government lies, deceit and decisions made as to how they should live, crushing them with government-enacted poverty. In this way, it is an important history for those who may have never really covered this ground, and what's more, it's told in a particularly painful personal voice. I was greatly relieved to see that the author does convey a bit of Indian humor and irony, which is the first thing I always remember of every American Indian I've gotten to know over time. The chapters where this figures in, shined for me as the most completely honest parts of the book. The author writes an a well-paced conversational style perfect for the subject and setting. He's done an admirable job of recounting a history that most Americans have never considered and for that reason, should be read by those who want to understand the issues involved. We still have a very long way to go, and the hopeful tilt at the end, may indeed be the great mystery at the heart of the story. Knowing why this happened is well beyond our job descriptions, but the book lays out several ways to move forward from this point. A film made from this book is soon to be released. I look forward to seeing it.

Neither Wolf Nor Dog by Kent Nerburn is the first in a series of three books about a Lakota elder named Dan. It is first book which sets up the other two. It includes a lot of Lakota teachings and introduces those who will appear in the series. It includes Nerburn being contacted by Dan to begin the process of transferring Dan's life story, wisdom and stories into book form. Life on the reservation, relationships of various people and the trust and lack of trust between the Indians and whites were illustrated.
I was familiar with many of the Lakota words and lifestyle teachings presented in the book, but still learned a great deal and enjoyed reading a great story. I highly recommend this book as well as the other two in the series. I must emphasize that each book stands on its own and can be read by themselves or part of the series.

I have read several books about Native Americans, but none has touched me as deeply as this one. The insight provided by a Lakota elder touches the heart, mind and spirit of the reader. The belief that it is best not to judge another person until you have walked a mile in his moccasins comes true in this book. Kent Nerburn has provided the white peoples of the world a unique window of opportunity to look at themselves in a whole new light. This novel should be required reading in every high school curriculum. The wit and wisdom it has to offer goes beyond any words that can be written in a review.

The book arrived in a timely fashion. Thank you! Kent Nerburn's books capture my attention from the get-go. Excellent author!! Reading his books is a very moving and emotional experience. My eyes have been opened. I can't tell you how many times while reading his book/s, I hung my head down and said, God, forgive us..

Kent Nerbern is one of the best writers of books, period. This book is a powerful story, revealing the history of our Country as seen from the perspective of the people on the receiving end of European immigration and conquest of their homeland. I suggest reading Nerbern's book "Wisdom of the Native Americans" before opening this book.

The book was refreshing in that something that has been needed to be said, is said. It is an atrocity what happened to the First Nation people and their culture when the white man settled in America. The truths are harsh but it doesn't make the book a downer.

Phenomenal insight into the life and history of this elder Native American Indian! This book is educational for its cultural explanations of past events and living situations so that we all can understand how everyone thinks differently and we many times misinterpret their circumstances and reactions to the outside world. Very intense! Very worth the read!!

Kent Nerburn is an exceptional author who has successfully made the Native American experience and paradigm accessible, in a most powerful way, to non-Native Americans. Dean Leh, M.A., M.S.Ed., Fordham University, New York City

If you enjoyed the movie, you will love the book. We all need to listen more, to the earth, the sky,the winds the animals and most of all each other. The past surely shapes the present and we all need to respect where each other comes from. The past can not be erased, but we can write our own futures. How will you write yours?

I admit, when I was assigned Neither Wolf nor Dog to read of a college course I had every intention of simply skimming the book which I often do but always make sure to fully read the first and last chapter. After reading the first chapter I couldn't put this book down. I've now borrowed it to several people and everyone has enjoyed it. Kent gives you a brilliant look at the cultural differences of the Lakota Indian and the white man while keeping the book engaging. Neither Wolf nor Dog isn't your hum-drum historical book about American Indians race relations, it's compelling and relatable.

Nerburn accurately describes the difficulty the Indigenous people of this continent suffer. From the first European "invaders" to the current problems of drug and alcohol abuse, plus, a distinct lack of respect towards their culture. Anyone with any interest in non revisionist history would do well to read this book.

A heart-rending eye-opening soul-catching tale of a white man's journey with a Lakota elder. A must read for any European-American who wants a more complete history of this land and the wounds its people still bear. Very readable narrative style. We had our youth group read it prior to a mission to trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as preparation.

This book is a metaphorical look at the transformative power of Listening. Life tends to happen during the in between moments when you least expect it. My heart will always ride in that truck with Grover, Fatback, and Dan, just as I suspect Nerburn does in his dreams.

An insight into another culture that seems true. Made me yearn for a life of peace and respect for all and everything. We must learn from the past. Particularly meaningful during these political times.

An insight into another culture that seems true. Made me yearn for a life of peace and respect for all and everything. We must learn from the past. Particularly meaningful during these political times.

I only thought I had sensitivity for the injustice levied on the native peoples of this land. This narrative is profound in the colors and dimensions of feeling and understanding of Indian culture and our inhumane treatment of our fellow man that has morphed but continued into the present. I have new eyes for seeing our history, new eyes for seeing myself, and new eyes for seeing God.

This book was a wonderful read. The American Indians had a lot of spirit and spirituality that the invaders from Europe destroyed in large part because they failed to understand the culture or to appreciate what it might have to offer. Highly recommended.

This book is written first person. so you feel like you are there talking with the people in the book. The author does a good job drawing you in and making it easy to imagine you are there.

This is a story about a Lakota Elder sharing his honest thoughts about the way of the white man versus the Lakota (hence the title, where it's implied the Lakota are the wolves- in a good way.). The differences are made more easily understood in this book, and are presented with respect. It was a real eye-opener. The author doesn't explain everything he writes about, unfortunately, but I'm guessing it was simply because he didn't feel it would be polite to ask.

The Elder's descriptions are true to history from the Lakota perspective, which most "Americans" aren't going to like. But we all know what happened to the indigenous people once the 'white man' arrived on the scene.

It's a very good book, pretty well written, and you will find it to be a learning experience.

Very moving book which delves deeply into the Lakota spiritual values and one man's journey through the Lakota landscape and history as an outsider. It is well written, very deep insights shown concretely. I was especially interested in how Dan, the Lakota elder, felt unity with Jesus who he said lived like an Indian. He lived on the land, moved about, shared all he had, - and Dan feels Jesus had the Indian outlook on life. There is a journey in a car across the reservation, across a sea of grass. There are many revelations here on the painful life of American indians; the magic of no coincidences; the transcendence of human experience despite time distances. This book is a treasure and I am looking forward to the movie.