Böcker av Billy Mills

Just in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics, here is a dramatic and inspiring autobiographical tale of overcoming odds by Native American gold medalist Billy Mills, with stunning illustrations by acclaimed Lakota artist SD Nelson. Billy Mills was once an orphan on the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation. But before his father was called to the ancestors, he told Billy how to conquer his suffering: You have broken wings, son. You have to dig deeper, below the anger, the hurt, the self-pity. The pursuit of a dream will heal you.   Despite poverty, racism, and severe health challenges, Billy raced toward his goal of becoming an Olympic athlete, inspired by his indigenous ancestors who stood strong when the odds were against them. Though at times he felt like his wings were clipped—a lone bird falling from the sky—he adapted and overcame, finally earning his place at the 1964 Olympics.   This autobiographical tale of Billy Mills’s awe-inspiring flight to a record-breaking gold medal, breathtakingly illustrated by award-winning Lakota artist SD Nelson, is a soaring testament to Billy’s legacy and the Lakota prayer: we are all related.

Billy Mills was born Dublin 1954. He has lived and worked in Spain and the UK, and now lives in Limerick. Billy is the founder and co-editor (with Catherine Walsh) of hardPressed poetry and the Journal. His books include Lares/Manes: Collected Poems (Shearsman, 2009), Imaginary Gardens (hardPressed poetry 2012), Loop Walks (with David Bremner, hardPressed poetry 2013), from Pensato (Smithereens Press e-book, 2013). Since 2007, he has been a regular contributor to the Guardian Books site, including the popular Poster Poems series: http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/billymills He blogs at https://ellipticalmovements.wordpress.com/

Born in Dublin in 1954, the author spent some time in Spain and the UK, and then lived and worked in the mid-west of Ireland. This collection brings together his seven published volumes.

In this Native American allegory, a young Lakota boy named David is despondent over the death of his sister and fears that he will never know happiness again. His father gives him a gift, a scroll with seven pictures, which properly understood, holds the keys to self understanding.