Title: A Past Life: As Told by Brave Hawk
Author:  Dond Sylvain
Publisher: Toplink Publishing
ISBN: 978-1947620049
Pages: 154
Genre: Non-Fiction
Reviewed by: Susan Milam

Awarded to books of excellent Merit

In A Past Life, author Dond Sylvain chronicles his journey as Brave Hawk. He receives the name when welcomed into a Native American tribe during one of his many former lives. Mr. Sylvain recounts his story as part of his mission to convince non-believers that reincarnation exists.

Born into a Catholic family, Mr. Sylvain later becomes agnostic. After reading books by Ruth Montgomery and other spiritualists, he begins a quest for meaning that lead him to mediums who provided several readings for him. During one of the readings, Mr. Sylvain learned that in a former life he is a white man captured by Native Americans and eventually, he became a member of the tribe. Mr. Sylvain resists believing this tale until a powerful dream convinces him of the reading’s truth. At the behest of Gonacheaw, his spirit guide, Mr. Sylvain puts pen to paper and – writing as Brave Hawk – tells others about his life.

The story of Mr. Sylvain’s former life and transformation into Brave Hawk unfolds in a straightforward, chronological manner. As Brave Hawk, he narrates his bucolic early years on his family’s farm and the trading trip that lead to his capture by Native Americans. Calling on his wits and knowledge of Native American lore, he became the first white man to escape from the tribe. The tribe’s chief is taken by the young man’s courage and physical prowess, and soon he is adopted by a Native American woman who has lost her son. Renamed Brave Hawk, the young man’s exploits become legendary among the local tribes. He faced tragedy and overcame it with the help of the tribe’s shaman. Brave Hawk returns to his birth family and learns their various enterprises have made him a wealthy man. Stories about Brave Hawk’s courage as a Native American warrior precede him, and his legend grows to include the surrounding towns.

Brave Hawk’s road from young man on a farm to becoming a revered Native American warrior is revealed in a measured, matter of fact way. He doesn’t brag, he just gives readers the facts. Along the way, Brave Hawk delves into the minutiae of everyday life on the farm and with the tribe. With the exception of the Acknowledgment, written by medium Tana Hanley, no mention is made of reincarnation. As a result, the details Brave Hawk recounts speak to the veracity of his story. He has a firm hold on both the ways of white men and the ways of Native Americans during the period in which the story takes place. The vivid particulars recounted in the book give readers the feeling Mr. Sylvain did indeed live through that era. Thus, without ever making an out-and-out plea for reincarnation, he makes readers comfortable with the concept.

Readers can view A Past Life in two ways. They may read it as an entertaining tale of life during that time, or they may read it as a true story of one of Mr. Sylvain’s many reincarnations. No matter how the book is approached, the reader will walk away with a deeper knowledge of the era and its people. The lessons filled every page, leaving me with gratitude and hope. A must read for anyone interested in Native American culture. A Past Live is beautiful and enlightening! Brave Hawk has opened up a new, positive way of thinking for me.