Author: Kevin Hancock

Publisher: Post HillPress,
ISBN: 978-1- 63758-062-2

Kevin Hancock, author and photographer of 48 Whispers, hails from Maine and is the President of Hancock Lumber which was founded in 1848. (2021, p.8) In 2010 he had an issue with his speech that made conversations within his organization and personal life difficult and sometimes impossible. During this tumultuous time he read often and ran across an article in National Geographic that resonated with him. It was about the Rebirth of the Sioux Nation. Through this article he found his voice and passion. 48 Whispers is how he selected to share it with the world.


Hancock had been to the American West numerous times and it always precipitated a feeling of peace within his soul. He wanted to be part of the Sioux rebirth and he did all in his power to showcase their vision and colorful heritage in this wonderful picture book. Each page gives us a few short paragraphs to contemplate and reflect upon. I felt the power and wisdom of the Lakota while reading this book and believe you will too. 

Hancock said he traveled light and lived a near nomadic lifestyle while on this journey. He said, “I was accustomed to schedules, routines, and deadlines, so this timeless and task-less odyssey felt liberating and otherworldly. At home I was well-known. Here, no one knew me. I traveled in complete freedom and anonymity. When something interested me, I stopped. When I was hungry, I ate. When tired, I slept.” (2021, p.12)

When contemplating how we can heal our hearts, bodies, and minds Gemma Benton said “Our ancestors knew that healing comes in cycles and circles. One generation carries the pain so that the next can live and heal.” (2021, p.22) Take a moment to consider her thoughtful and wise words. Think about the wars we have fought and how each generation and their leaders must make their own mark in our history books. 

Another beautiful paragraph to reflect upon is from Joseph Campbell. He says, “Heaven and hell are within us, and all of the gods are within us. This is the great realization of the Upanishads of India in the 9th Century B.C. All the gods, all the heavens, all the worlds, are within us. When we simply turn outward we see all of these little problems here and there. But, if we look inward, we see that we are the source of them all.” (2021, p.36)

I was so moved by some of the Whispers that I really did take a day or two and think deeply about our connection to the world and our communities. I enjoyed the pictures and the words equally and would recommend this to anyone who wants a relatively short, but very deep read.