Walking with Grandfather: The Wisdom of Lakota Elders

 (18 customer reviews)

Joseph Marshall III journeys into a wholly new literary world and presents his most unique and valuable work to date with "Walking with Grandfather: The Wisdom of Lakota Elders." His early writings were mostly fiction, then non-fiction, and now philosophy.

As a young boy, Marshall spent countless hours walking the trails along the Little White River in South Dakota with his grandfather Albert, a Sicangu Lakota. The knowledge Marshall gained during those intimate moments has served him well throughout his career and life.

Marshall's writing is not the shoddy new-age-native-american-pyramid-consciousness-enlightenment philosophy that has highjacked real American Indian religious rituals and beliefs. Rather, Marshall's sharing of Grandpa Albert's understanding of life, people, and society is simple and straight forward, yet its benefits are powerful for one's soul. This philosophy is not just an American Indian philosophy but it is also valuable for all...Read more

I rate this book 5 Stars. With the 67 minute CD it is a treasure. As Joseph Marshall narrates his journey into manhood, his words act as a poignant reminder of our responsibilities to elders in our society, and for me, as I enter my 6th decade, my responsibilities to younger generations. Wisdom, he writes, requires discernment, "the ability to know when to apply that knowledge in a way that offers an answer or insight". The most moving chaper for me was "The Shadow Man". The "Shadow Man" is the "dark side of each of us, the side that protects against threat or attack on family, community or self". The Lakota had a cleansing, healing ceremony that honored warriors. Prayers were offered to ask for "cleansing of the terrible things they had to do to defend the people". The warriors were then welcomed back into the circle of society. Mr. Marshall notes that "any society that...heals and nurtures it's warriors is ensuring its own survival". The book and CD also note the...Read more

I just loved this book. The stories that Joseph Marshall shares are spiritually lifting. Reading it brought a smile to my face. I enjoyed the simple life lessons that are expressed in the book.