Synopses & Reviews
Drawing on vivid oral histories, Joseph M. Marshall’s intimate biography introduces a never-before-seen portrait of Crazy Horse and his Lakota community
Most of the world remembers Crazy Horse as a peerless warrior who brought the U.S. Army to its knees at the Battle of Little Bighorn. But to his fellow Lakota Indians, he was a dutiful son and humble fighting man who—with valor, spirit, respect, and unparalleled leadership—fought for his people’s land, livelihood, and honor. In this fascinating biography, Joseph M. Marshall, himself a Lakota Indian, creates a vibrant portrait of the man, his times, and his legacy.
Thanks to firsthand research and his culture’s rich oral tradition (rarely shared outside the Native American community), Marshall reveals many aspects of Crazy Horse’s life, including details of the powerful vision that convinced him of his duty to help preserve the Lakota homeland—a vision that changed the course of Crazy Horse’s life and spurred him confidently into battle time and time again.
The Journey of Crazy Horse is the true story of how one man’s fight for his people’s survival roused his true genius as a strategist, commander, and trusted leader. And it is an unforgettable portrayal of a revered human being and a profound celebration of a culture, a community, and an enduring way of life.
Review
STARRED REVIEW
andquot;This powerful introduction to a great warrior and leader invites readers to ponder the meaning of and#39;hero.and#39;andquot;
Synopsis
In the great oral tradition of the Lakota people, Marshall shares the compelling history of a man, a tribe, and a legacy of courage and endurance.
Synopsis
As the peerless warrior who brought the U.S. Army to its knees at the Battle of Little Bighorn, Crazy Horse remains one of the most perennially fascinating figures of the American West. Now Joseph Marshall—a masterful storyteller, historian, and descendant of the same Lakota community that raised Crazy Horse—goes beyond that image in this one-of-a-kind portrait of the legendary leader. Drawing on extensive research and a rich oral tradition that is rarely shared outside the Native American community, Marshall gives us a uniquely complete portrait of Crazy Horse, from the powerful vision that spurred him into battle to the woman he loved but lost to circumstance. The Journey of Crazy Horse celebrates a long-standing community’s enduring culture and gives vibrant life to its most trusted and revered hero.
Synopsis
Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boyandmdash;though you wouldnandrsquo;t guess it by his name: his father is part white and part Lakota, and his mother is Lakota. When he embarks on a journey with his grandfather, Nyles High Eagle, he learns more and more about his Lakota heritageandmdash;in particular, the story of Crazy Horse, one of the most important figures in Lakota and American history. Drawing references and inspiration from the oral stories of the Lakota tradition, celebrated author Joseph Marshall III juxtaposes the contemporary story of Jimmy with an insiderandrsquo;s perspective on the life of Tasunke Witko, better known as Crazy Horse (c. 1840andndash;1877). The book follows the heroic deeds of the Lakota leader who took up arms against the US federal government to fight against encroachments on the territories and way of life of the Lakota people, including leading a war party to victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Along with Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse was the last of the Lakota to surrender his people to the US army. Through his grandfatherandrsquo;s tales about the famous warrior, Jimmy learns more about his Lakota heritage and, ultimately, himself.
About the Author
Joseph M. Marshall III, historian, educator, and storyteller, is the author of many books, including The Journey of Crazy Horse and The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for the Living, which was a finalist for the PEN Center USA West Award in 2002. He was raised on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation and his first language is Lakota. Marshall is a recipient of the Wyoming Humanities Award, and he has been a technical advistor and actor in television movies, including Return to Lonesome Dove. He makes his home on the Northern Plains.
Table of Contents
Contents Introduction to a Hero Story · xi
Oyate Kin (The People) · xxiii
The Lakota Calendar · xxv
Part I: The Early Years · 1
Reflections: The Way We Came · 46
Part II: The Rites of Passage · 55
Reflections: The Call to Adventure · 106
Part III: The Warrior Leader · 115
Reflections: The Legacy of Leadership · 183
Part IV: The Road to Camp Robinson · 195
Reflections: So That the People May Live · 269
Afterword: Honoring Song for a Thunder Dreamer · 279
A Story: The Lightning Bow · 290
Sources · 295
Suggested Reading · 299
Index · 301