Overall I enjoyed reading this book and I learned a lot. There is a lot of information included and it took me awhile to read it. The book is well written and researched. Recommended for anyone who would like to learn more about the Lakotas.

I received a digital ARC of Lakota America from the publisher via NetGalley, with the expectation of an honest review.


Lakota America is a comprehensive history of the Lakota from pre-colonial times to the present day. Pekka Hämäläinen begins by telling about the Lakota and Sioux interactions with other indigenous nations, describing their westward migrations over the centuries, then continues by detailing Lakota interactions with the various imperial powers in North America, with the climax being the well-known histories of the Battle of Little Bighorn and the massacre at Wounded Knee. The book ends with a discussion of the continued Lakota struggle for sovereignty, touching on current events such as the Dakota Access Pipeline. Hämäläinen presents the events from an indigenous perspective, showing how the Lakotas viewed their interactions with other indigenous nations and European powers.


I enjoyed reading Lakota America and learned a lot while reading. It is a very well-researched account which does a good job of focusing on the factors that Lakotas viewed as influencing their decisions, rather than relying on European accounts of Lakota behavior. I think it is incredibly important to learn about indigenous history, which is unfortunately not focused on enough in the American school system, and the best accounts to consult are ones that focus on Indigenous stories and influences, rather than portraying an American or Eurocentric view of natives. I was impressed with the detail in the book, especially since it covered such a long period of time. I also appreciated that it focused on Lakota society prior to interaction with Americans, showing how that evolved into the society that went to war with the US. Since the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the massacre at Wounded Knee are the only parts of Lakota history that are relatively well-known, it is good to know about the details of the historical context for those events.


I would definitely recommend Lakota America. Native American history is a good subject to learn about and this book is a good resource on the topic. It provides a complete account of Lakota history, including all of the basic information so that someone without basic knowledge will have a full understanding, while still including all the complex details for a comprehensive understanding of the Lakota Nation. It is a very well-researched account which focuses on the often overlooked perspective of the actual Lakota people. I would recommend it to everyone, particularly Americans or those interested in history.

Lakota America: A New History of Indigenous Power

This is a text that needs to get in front of students in these United States! History from a completely different point of view, where wasicu (white) politics are incidental for hundreds of years, until they become the problem. History told from the mainly Lakota perspective, with Lakota broadly comprising a number of groups known collectively as the Seven Council Fires (Lakotas, Yanktons, Yanktonais, Mdewakantons, Sissetons, Wahpetons, and Wahpekutes) doesn't start on the plains - it starts North and East - around the Great Lakes. It didn't take long to realize that the history books I’ve read throughout my not so diverse education was limited and lacked a fullsomeness that I had never even considered. The people my books referred to as the Sioux, had as many different names for their various groups within groups as my own people did. Thankfully the author generously provides readers like me with helpful notes, and reference information in the end materials.

Indigenous language, dialect and written Lakotan is used throughout the book, which I found fascinating. It sent me on a side tour to find Lakota speakers to listen to and feel its music.

Throughout my life I thought I’d studied these events, but looking through the other side of the window was eye-opening and interesting. The writing is scholarly and full of details ("the rest of the story") not found in my history books. All of the usual suspects are here: Custer, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Sacagawea, Lewis & Clark, warriors known and unknown, on through the centuries to the current day struggles and victories.

This is a book to sit within, for studying and research and soaking. Drinking in the immensity of the two nations that were created in 1776, and the national efforts to co-exist, by hook or by crook - with blood spilt and sacrifice made. Not a light read, but a very satisfying one, 5 stars.

A Sincere Thanks to Pekka Hamalainen, Yale University Press and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

What a book!
Wonderfully well-researched with a huge scope, it would make a great textbook. It pales a little for a casual reader, however. For the "regular" enthusiast, it could be a little overwhelming.
I found it fascinating

This is a well-written history of the Lakota Indians from the 1500s to modern-day. I would recommend this to anyone with an academic interest in Native American history. As a textbook, this would be an invaluable resource. More casual readers with an interest in the subject might have a harder time enjoying this read.

I really wanted to enjoy this book and found the description interesting but i found the actual book hard to read and did not finish it

An interesting read. As someone who grew up in the Dakotas, I was curious to know more about the history of the Lakota peoples. This book definitely does that, although at times it almost gives too much, and reads more like a textbook. On that note, this would be an excellent book to use in that context. Would recommend as the book is well written and researched. Really enjoyed the images throughout as well. Highly recommend this book.

Lakota America is a interesting and informative book. It is well written and easy to understand. This book is well researched and fascinating read.