Adam Fortunate Eagle has been called many things: social activist, serious joke medicine, contrary warrior, national treasure, enemy of the state, living history. Characterizing his style as "Fortunate Eagle meets Mark Twain, Indian style," the author relates the traditions, joys, and frustrations of his own Native American experience in tones ranging from "gut-busting laughter to pissed-off anger."

Leading the reader through time and space, Fortunate Eagle uses his own history--as a child in an Ojibwe community and later as a civil rights leader who, among other achievements, helped...