Moon of Popping Trees Paperback – April 1, 1981

Compelling and brilliantly written history of the lead-up to the massacre at Wounded Knee about 130 years ago. Author Rex Alan Smith writes the history from both the indigenous perspective of the Lakota people of that time and space and the perspective of the non-native leaders and settlers and their incendiary press. This method makes it a riveting narrative, in which the reader finds himself shouting at the protagonists on both sides, "No! No! No! Don't do that!" You can see the tragedy that was to be Wounded Knee unfolding right before your eyes, and because it happened in the past, there's nothing you can do to stop it. My wife (a Navajo educator) and I originally read this book while traveling to Lakota country, and by the time we arrived, we had shed many tears and had felt our hearts turn with deep compassion to the people of that beautiful, but viciously violated, land. We joined in a beautiful council fire on the Wakpala River, which was a healing for all - native and non-native alike. We had relinquished our copies of the book over the years and are delighted to "get it back" on Kindle! We commend "Moon of Popping Trees" to all readers as a uniquely balanced re-telling of the Wounded Knee narrative.

I have read many accounts of the Wounded Knee masacre and this one is a little different in its depiction of how the incident was initiated.

When I visited the museum at Wounded Knee, I asked the woman at the counterwhat she would suggest as the definitive book on the subject. She told meshe was Lakota and her favorite book so far on the accuracy of what happened therewas this book.."Moon of Popping Trees". I could not put the book down...and wasamazed to find out that nothing has changed much in the dispatch of militarypersonnel to places unfamiliar with the "American Way". Had the military doneit's homework and left in place the officers that KNEW the Lakota, this tragedymay never have happened. This is a book of history, told true and told very well.

After corresponding with Rex Alan Smith on line, what ever he had written about the battle at Wounded Knee left little doubt about the careful research that went into this history. Even the weather reports for the day of the battle and the day after present a more clear understanding of what really transpired during these days.Mr Smith, now deceased, also had written the definitive book about the creation of the mountain sculpture of Crazy Horse which is now used as the source for tourists visiting this monument.It was a privilege to correspond with this author as his information is not to be doubted.

Very good information.

If was ok to read

In a most engrossing and intriguing way the author traces the relations between the white man and the Indians that led up to the massacre at Wounded Knee. He fairly and equally treats the mistakes and misunderstandings on both sides as he involves the reader in the events that turned out so disastrously. A great read, especially for anyone with an interest in history.

Five stars as an even handed well written account of wounded knee.