Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Viking Adult (2004), 336 pages
Description
In the great oral tradition of the Lakota people, author Joseph M. Marshall III shares the compelling history of a man, a tribe, and a legacy of courage and endurance.Tasunke Witko, or Crazy Horse, as he is often remembered, brought the U.S. Army to its knees in 1876. His valor and leadership elevated him to legendary status among Native American people; in this riveting biography, Joseph Marshall (himself a Lakota Indian) combines firsthand research and a rich oral history to offer a fully-faceted portrait of the spirited warrior and revered hero, and a profound celebration of an enduring culture. When Marshall was a child, his grandfather and great uncles would tell vivid tales of the Battle of Little Bighorn as if the decisive battle had happened only the day before; his research for this book included in-depth, lengthy conversations with elderly storytellers who describe details and perspectives that could only come from firsthand accounts.… (more)
Media reviews
Readers seeking war whoops may be a little disappointed by Marshall’s reticent treatment of the many battles in which Crazy Horse fought, especially the one that secured his fame, the Little Bighorn. But those seeking a circumstantial, from-the-native’s-viewpoint account of Crazy Horse’s life
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and death will be intrigued by Marshall’s respectful use of oral history, drawn from relatives .... Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Stbalbach
The various Sioux tribes of the Great Plains in the 19th century had a reputation as being some of the toughest and wildest Indians. They were the Indians who in popular imagination swooped onto settlers crossing the plains in covered wagons. They were sometimes seen as animals to be exterminated.
Although published in 2004 you wouldn't know because it feels timeless. One aspect that disturbed me is Crazy Horse's one-man crusade to kill gold prospectors in the Black Hills, sneaking up on them and blowing them away, day after day. This is a significant atrocity regardless of justification and I think it shouldn't be forgotten along with his heroic deeds, he was also a cold blooded mass killer. The Nez Perce for example did not commit deeds like this, not systematically, it was more than merely par for the times. He was probably about to be tried and hanged by Federal authorities but events intervened.
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Atrocities were committed by both sides. Cultural cliches show the Sioux as tough warriors and not multi-dimensional humans who laughed, loved, had families and responsibilities. Into this gap steps actor/historian Marshall (born 1946) who was raised in a traditional Lakota household. He gives a human biography to one of the fiercest warriors, and does so from a Lakota perspective. Much time is spent on Crazy Horse's early life and upbringing, and of course his role at Little Bighorn. We gain a deeper understanding of how the Lakota saw the conflict, what motivated them, how they organized and saw their place in the world. The book feels accurate and transportive, the vocabulary and cultural information is rich due to Marshall's Lakota background.Although published in 2004 you wouldn't know because it feels timeless. One aspect that disturbed me is Crazy Horse's one-man crusade to kill gold prospectors in the Black Hills, sneaking up on them and blowing them away, day after day. This is a significant atrocity regardless of justification and I think it shouldn't be forgotten along with his heroic deeds, he was also a cold blooded mass killer. The Nez Perce for example did not commit deeds like this, not systematically, it was more than merely par for the times. He was probably about to be tried and hanged by Federal authorities but events intervened.
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LibraryThing member pascoejm
Crazy Horse and the Lakota, from the tribe's point of view, and as passed down in the oral traditions. Definitely a story that needs to be told. This is the side we don't hear about very often.
Made me think: how often does one person or group not comprehend a different way of thinking, and fail to
Made me think: how often does one person or group not comprehend a different way of thinking, and fail to
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recognize the impact on communication. How can this middle ground be built? Show Less
LibraryThing member Halieus
If you've ever been interested in any book about Native Americans, this book will open your eyes. From the character analysis, to the style of writing, and in every other aspect, this is, by far, the best biography I've read. The combined elements of the book make it more than a biography of a
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famous Native American and better than just a history book of one of the great tribes of North America. Lastly, the book provides one of the best (succinct) foundations for anyone with aspirations of leadership. Show Less
LibraryThing member catscritch
A grand tradition of story-telling leads to a phenomenal book, taking you into the very life of an all too human legend. Marshall makes it very clear this all comes down from the oral traditions of his people and perhaps that is what makes it so believable. I felt the wind cut by a storm of arrows
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and the sting of misunderstandings. In a world where the winner writes the history, this book brings me closer to the probable truth. Show Less
LibraryThing member nadinegsmith
written by a lacota tribal member, good reviews, teaches some lakota language.
LibraryThing member RapidCityPubLib
In this year's One Book South Dakota selection, Marshall examines the life and story of the iconic and often stereotyped Sioux leader, Crazy Horse. Delving into but also looking past his the role of warrior and leader, Crazy Horse's journey from birth to death is defined through the stories and
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oral history of the Sioux that paints with a much broader stroke while providing a more vivid description of the vibrant and troubled life of a person all too often captured through the lens of Western eyes. In this book we see Crazy Horse as a loving and grieving father, a devoted husband but tortured by lost love, a reluctant leader with a deep concern for a fading lifestyle and culture, a son, a mystic and a loner. Several threads running together weave a deeper story – one that washes over the reader like gusts of wind rather than like waves of warriors. Show Less
LibraryThing member klara333
This book was interesting. While reading it I definitely learned a thing or two about the Lakota ways. It really helped me expand my knowledge of American history. Although at some parts it was a little bland, but overall I would suggest this book to anyone who wants to read an eye opening book on
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Lakota Indians. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2004
Physical description
336 p.; 5.86 inches
ISBN
0670033553 / 9780670033553