"An important work of environmental and legal reportage on a contest that will likely continue for years."—Kirkus Reviews
"In Black Snake, Todrys blends wide-ranging research with solid on-the-ground reporting to tell a compelling and important story—one whose full impact is yet to be felt."—David Conrads, Christian Science Monitor
"All Americans who care about the fate of Native Americans and about clean water, clean air, and a non-toxic earth will find Todrys's book inspiring."—Jonah Raskin, New York Journal of Books
"It can be easy to forget, after all that's happened since, that the demonstrations against DAPL at Standing Rock were less than five years ago. Human rights lawyer Katherine Wiltenburg Todrys takes an on-the-ground view of the events, building this study around interviews with four Native leaders of the activist movement. It’s a timely reminder of what resources still need protecting and the next generation of young people putting their lives on the line to do so."—Chicago Review of Books
"Todrys's attention to activists' communities and relationships allows their story to flow clearly through the center of the book, delivering a reservoir of strategies and historical knowledge that will sustain future movements."—Heather Menefee, South Dakota History
"Based on the stories and insights from LaDonna Allard, Jasilyn Charger, Lisa DeVille and Kandi White, Todrys paints a vivid portrait of daily life on the reservations and the protests against the broader backdrop of our nation's history exploiting Native peoples. . . . Her book gives a voice to those who have long been silenced or misunderstood as they fight not just for their lands but for the health of everyone who lives in this nation."—New City Lit
"In Black Snake, Katherine Wiltenburg Todrys offers Americans of all races, classes, cultures, creeds, ethnic groups and genders the opportunity to look in the mirror and to see a reflection of where we have been as a nation and where we are going if we are to escape the poison of fossil fuel."—Jonah Raskin, Counter Punch
“I’m so happy this book exists—it tells much of the backstory behind an absolutely epic environmental drama, and it highlights some of the remarkable women who led the fight. If you didn’t get a chance to join the encampment at Standing Rock, this account will put you there!”—Bill McKibben, author of Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
“Black Snake draws on firsthand interviews to tell an important history from the perspective of those who lived it. Thank you for this book.”—Madonna Thunder Hawk, Lakota civil rights activist
“Todrys tells the story of the people in this fight, of their heartening advances and demoralizing setbacks, in a textured, personal way that brings to life their mistreatment and their inspiring response. This book is a dramatic illustration of how to stand up to powerful interests that are long used to simply casting aside the people in their way.”—Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch