Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee

Like a Hurricane chronicles the American Indian Movement (AIM) during its peak years of activism from 1969 to 1973. The book focuses on three major events: the occupation of Alcatraz Island, the Trail of Broken Treaties march on Washington D.C., and the standoff at Wounded Knee. Through interviews and extensive research, authors Smith and Warrior present the key figures and behind-the-scenes dynamics of these watershed moments in Native American civil rights history. The narrative follows both the public faces of the movement and the internal debates that shaped its direction. The authors examine how media coverage, government response, and competing visions within the movement influenced its trajectory. Internal documents, press coverage, and firsthand accounts reveal the complex relationships between traditional tribal leaders, urban activists, and government officials. Smith and Warrior's account offers insights into the intersection of Native sovereignty, civil rights, and American democracy in the twentieth century. The book raises questions about protest movements, leadership, and the challenges of maintaining unity in the face of external pressure.

Readers value this book's detailed research and first-hand accounts of the American Indian Movement's (AIM) major protests. Many note its clear chronology and balanced perspective showing both the achievements and internal conflicts of the movement. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanation of complex political dynamics - Focus on lesser-known participants and events - Inclusion of media coverage analysis - Accessible writing style for non-academic readers Common criticisms: - Limited coverage of women's roles in AIM - Some sections feel rushed or underdeveloped - Lacks deeper analysis of certain key figures Ratings: Goodreads: 4.26/5 (329 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (89 ratings) Reader quote: "This book fills a gap in understanding AIM beyond just its leaders. The authors show how regular people, not just Dennis Banks and Russell Means, built this movement." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers note this serves as their introduction to AIM history and recommend it for undergraduate courses.

Custer Died for Your Sins by Vine Deloria Jr. A manifesto of Native American activism in the 1960s-70s details the political movements and federal policies that shaped modern Indigenous resistance.

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer The history of Native American life from 1890 to the present documents resistance movements and cultural survival through firsthand accounts and archival research.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse by Peter Matthiessen The examination of Leonard Peltier's case and the 1975 Pine Ridge shootout provides context for AIM's confrontations with federal authorities.

Blood Struggle: The Rise of Modern Indian Nations by Charles Wilkinson The chronicle of Native American political resurgence from the 1950s through the 1970s explains the legal and grassroots campaigns for tribal sovereignty.

Red Power: The American Indians' Fight for Freedom by Alvin M. Josephy Jr. The collection of primary documents and essays from Native American activists presents the key issues and events of the Red Power movement.

🏛️ The book's title references the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, which lasted 71 days and involved over 200 Oglala Lakota activists and members of the American Indian Movement (AIM). 🗽 Before writing this book, Paul Chaat Smith worked as a curator at the National Museum of the American Indian and was himself involved in the American Indian Movement during the 1970s. ⚡ The occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) began with just 14 Native American activists but grew to include more than 400 people from various tribes across the country. 📚 Co-author Robert Allen Warrior is an Osage scholar who helped establish Native American Studies as a legitimate academic discipline in American universities. 🎬 Many of the events described in the book were captured by independent filmmakers and photographers, resulting in rare documentary footage that helped spread awareness of Native American activism during this period.