Where White Men Fear to Tread: The Autobiography of Russell Means

Russell Means was someone who cared. Someone who loved his people. He tells us things I appreciate knowing and I know you will too. Read his book and feel the freshness of new knowledge!

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

Russell Means has written a most fascinating account of his life. It was hard for me to relate to in a lot of instances, being a white woman who does not know her heritage. I was struck through out the book by Mr. Means "connectedness" to his people and to the land. I was in emotional awe of these feelings. At times, I had to remind myself not to take some of his feelings toward whites personally, but to remind myself of where he comes from and that his statements are the truth he has lived with. This book was a great read. Mr Means life has certainly been full. He has had hard times and has learned from them. He has had good times and learned from them too. Above all else, I came away with a totally different perspective of the Russell Means I had read about in other books and in the media. He is a human, just like the rest of us.

Russell Means tells it like it was (and still is) for the average "Injun Joe".Rush Limbaugh really ought to read the section on Columbus Day (before shooting his mouth off again about us Indians being "Colum-bashers").This is one book every Christian missionary should read, as it gives abundant insight as to why their efforts to evangelize us "heathen savages" have failed miserably.It is impossible and impractical to return America to its original inhabitants, but with what little we have left, the Indian shall live again.

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--

This is a big, heavy book that carries a message equally substantial. For every textbook about Indians written by anthropologists there should be one that comes straight from Indian Country, written (told) by those whose experiences we do not hear about often enough. Credit goes to Russell Means here for telling a story that rings with authority, grit, and, finally, hope. Yet it is not only a story: Means's many opinions about aspects of white society--and of his own--had me marking numerous pages for later reference. And his most famous speech, included in the book's appendix, is a razor-sharp indictment of the (European) worldview that has in many ways yet to earn a respectful place in this world. Ultimately this book is about just that: Respect. "Indians are dying of sympathy," Means says. "What we want is RESPECT." WHERE WHITE MEN FEAR TO TREAD, though long, is never tedious, doesn't tip-toe, and continues to pull the reader along. This is an important book, and I hope its message--rough edges and all--makes an impact.