The Return of Little Big Man

Little Big Man #2

by Thomas Berger

Jack Crabb is back with another gleeful romp through the Old West

Jack Crabb is now 112 years old, and he isn’t done spinning yarns. In this sequel to Berger’s beloved novel Little Big Man, one of literature’s wiliest survivors continues his breathtaking tall tales of the Old West.

Crabb claims to have witnessed most of the great historical events of the western frontier: hiding behind a wagon after a drunken Doc Holliday provokes the shootout at the OK Corral; joining Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley on tour with their international Wild West show; even taking tea with Queen Victoria when she came out of seclusion after a quarter century. No matter where Crabb lays his hat, he keeps his wizened, wry, and sharp commentary at the ready. The Return of Little Big Man is a sidesplitting novel of surprising emotional depth.

This ebook features an all-new introduction by Thomas Berger, as well as an illustrated biography of the author including rare images and never-before-seen documents from his personal collection.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Westerns, Humor, Historical, Adventure, Literature

432 pages, ebook

First published February 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Thomas Louis Berger was an American novelist, probably best known for his picaresque novel Little Big Man, which was adapted into a film by Arthur Penn. Berger explored and manipulated many genres of fiction throughout his career, including the crime novel, the hard-boiled detective story, science fiction, the utopian novel, plus re-workings of classical mythology, Arthurian legend, and the survival adventure.

Berger's use of humor and his often biting wit led many reviewers to refer to him as a satirist or "comic" novelist, though he rejected that classification.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a sequel to Little Big Man, which I thoroughly enjoyed as well. But this book is even better.

The story is told as the reminiscences Of Jack Crabbe, now 112 years old and the lone white survivor of Custer's last stand.The book is full of his many diverse and wild adventures, and has a huge cast of characters that he meets along the way. These include Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, Sitting Bull, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, the aforementioned General Custer and even Queen Victoria!

All in all, a vastly entertaining and well written historical novel.

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this audiobook with considerable trepidation, my teeth still on edge from the racism and male chauvinism of the first book. To my relief, both have dissolved here. Either Berger matured as a person in the 35 years between the writing of Little Big Man (1964) and Return of Little Big Man (1999) or he got pressure from his editor/publisher. Phew! Jack actually does some noble things herein instead of always looking out for himself.

The parts about Earp, Masterson, Holliday, and Hickock didn't interest me, but I enjoyed the parts involving Native Americans. Amanda is a female character with some real depth. The ending made me laugh out loud. I would have read a third book about Jack. Rest in peace, Mr. Berger.

[Sean Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1964, Berger gave us the wonderful gift of the novel "Little Big Man", wherein the 111-yr-old Jack Crabb begins telling us his life story, starting with how his family was killed by the Cheyenne while traveling across Nebraska.

35 years after "Little Big Man" was published, Berger gives us a wonderful gift, in the form of a sequel to "Little Big Man". Jack is now 112 years old and continues the story of his life, picking up at the point just after Wild Bill Hickock was shot in the back in a saloon. (Jack was his bodyguard).

As with the first novel, Jack enjoys a life that includes bumping into or befriending some of the American West's most colorful characters. He spends time in Dodge City with Bat Masterson, sits on the sidelines at the Gunfight at the OK Corral, tours with Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show, and is present when his friend Sitting Bull is killed.

Berger's humor and insight about some of the characters from the Americann West is so welcome that we don't really mind the unlikelihood that Jack happens to have known so many of them. Rather, we appreciate being reunited with Jack and enjoy his humor and honest view of everyone that he meets. As the first novel did, the sequel gives us some wonderful satire while quietly witnessing the bittersweet decline of the culture of the American Indian.

While the story arc in Berger's sequel may not quite equal the structure of the original, "Return" is a wonderful gift for fans of the original "Little Big Man" and should not be missed.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

112 year old Jack Crabb continues his travels through the Wild West and beyond. He manages to meet nearly every figure of renown and observe legendary events from Wild Bill Hickock's murder to the Gunfight at the O. K. Corral and relates what really happened at every instance. His adventures with Buffalo Bill and the Wild West show take him to Europe and more historic figures. I enjoyed the audio version and the narration added to the overall experience.
Missing the climactic Battle of the Little Big Horn that gave a direction to the original, Jack's story meandered. But it was full of original thought and well grounded research into the real events.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever saw the classic (but untraditional) Western 'Little Big Man', then you already know Jack Crabb, the Little Big Man played by Dustin Hoffman. But you may not have realized it was a book, at least I didn't. This sequel brings us more of Jack's story...and what a storyteller he is. If you ever watched the first season of Deadwood featuring Wild Bill Hickok and ever watched or read any of the many movies and novels of the OK Corral in Tombstone, then you'll relate even more to this next phase of Jack's life. You can even read it aloud and think you're listening to Jack/Dustin's voice. The rest of the novel features Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West show, which runs just a little too long but fine entertainment nonetheless.

[Melissa McCauley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like so many sequels, this one was a disappointment. Jack Crabb is back spinning tall tales of the Wild West… but they aren’t that wild. In this book, he fakes his own death (with the help of his nursing home staff) to get out of his first publishing contract and is supposedly telling this batch of malarkey to a new editor. According to Jack, he hung out with Bat Masterson, had his tooth fixed by Doc Holliday, took care of drunken Katie Elder, was present at the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, was present at the death of Wild Bill Hickok, and traveled the world with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, where he befriended Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull, to name a few. Sounds interesting, right? Surprisingly boring, especially the lengthy descriptions of the BBWW show and its season at the famous Chicago World’s Fair, where Jack meets up again with this book’s ridiculously recurring character, uptight do-gooder Amanda Teasdale (In the last book it was his frenemy Younger Bear).

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really hilarious jaunt through the Old West, as told by an "eyewitness" to historical events. I admit to being a sucker for books on the Old West that try to approach the truth and with so much of the history of this time being anecdotal, who's to say what really happened? It only adds to the romance of people like Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Calamity Jane, Sitting Bull, Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Wild Bill Hickock and a lot of others. The only thing I can compare this to is possibly "The Sot-Weed Factor" by John Barth for an alternative (and humorous)look at American History.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

To my disappointment, this sequel seemed fairly pointless. Even worse, it was boring. Unlike the original, in this book Jack Crabb seems to wander randomly about the Old West, the only point being to place him at the correct time and place to be present for every major historical event. It had zero emotional content, unlike the original. I wanted to like it, and I didn't DISLIKE it, there just doesn't seem to be any compelling reason why a sequel was needed. Read the original - it's a classic.

Also read Arthur Rex, by the same author. It's a terrific retelling of the King Arthur legend. You'll thank me.

[Yak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as "Little Big Man," but I had to read it when I found out it existed, since LBM is a very good book and also one of my all-time favorite movies. The sequel book spends a great deal of time detailing Jack Crabb's adventures with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show, which frankly isn't all that interesting. Much less time spent on interesting characters, including Native Americans. The switching back and forth from white to Indian cultures was the first book greatest strength but is lacking here.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I LOVED the original Little Big Man. The Return, not so much. Jack Crabb is still doing what he does, insinuating himself into the lives of famous people of the period and having wild, unbelievable adventures in the Old West.

Unfortunately, in this case the adventures aren't all THAT wild or adventurous and there doesn't seem to be any real cohesive plot. It does a good job of giving a glimpse into various aspects of life in the late 19th century and that's about it.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone but hardcore fans of western novels.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried to read this for a book club at the office, but couldn't finish it. The movie based on the first book was fun, the second book was just too much of the same, again, and again...The writing style was irritating.

[Ray Pierson · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a piece of garbage. If Berger needed money, he should have passed the hat, not ruin the memory of Little Big Man with this dribble.

[Michael-david Kerns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restating a disclaimer: Of course, I am not a professional literary critic. Moreover, I am not even the wide-ranging reader I once was.

My point?

Whatever I might write (here) is at best...impressionistic...& very likely not to be all that interesting or useful for those looking for literary insight or indication of literary interest. As I age, I find my tastes becoming more & more idiosyncratic & not likely shared or appreciated by (many) others--& I 'm okay with that.

As much as I intermittently enjoy Goodreads, I am not a serious user or participant here. However, I (sincerely) applaud those who are--& I thank you.

Regarding my reading of "The Return of Little Big Man:"

I share legendary author Larry McMurty's view that "Little Big Man" is a "fiction classic," perhaps one of the best (along with Charles Portis's "True Grit") Westerns ever written (certainly in the picaresque tradition). So when I finished reading "Little Big Man" (& realized that Thomas Berger had written a follow-up), I did not hesitate to start "The Return of Little Big Man." In fact, I could hardly wait to hear that "voice" again.

I love the 'voice' of the (perhaps) fictional narrator, Jack Crabb, particularly its piercing honesty, deconstructive lampooning of bloated American Western mythology, & heartbreaking resignation.

"The Return of Little Big Man" returns to the life, time, & world of Jack Crabb following Custer's early-morning (hence of the origin of the name the "Child (son) of the Morning Star, given to him by the Crow tribe) massacre of the Cheyenne in their camp at the Washita River in Oklahoma.

If one were not intrigued & engaged by the 'voice' of Jack Crabb in "Little Big Man" then s/he will most certainly not be motivated to read "The Return of Little Big Man" as it follows (chronologically) his (purportedly fictional) life from that point to his 111th year of life.

The 'voice' addresses a sweeping panorama of rapidly changing life in America's West--& indeed the world (at least as far as Europe). Mr. Crabb's singular narrative perspective embodies a strange but fascinating mix of epoch-constrained ideas (every individual is a product of her/his secular experience, ethos, & mores) about life & those who lived during that time--& this epoch-defined perspective may offend the sensibilities of many contemporaries, particularly those born into the Millennial & Generation Z birth cohorts (or those who struggle with accepting the power of historical & secular events in shaping human behavior, individual & collective).

Reading with appreciation--& fairness, any work of literature requires the frequent suspension of one's secular conditioning/preconceptions. I first learned this lesson after being gifted season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, which entailed listening to performances of classical music outside of the received European canon. My first impulse was "No," this is not "enjoyable" or "good" (as if I knew anything about musical composition). But I persevered in my attendance & listening & over time began to realize that my secular condition & preconceptions (& biases) were not consistent with informed & engaged musical appreciation--& then I grew to love the compositions & composers I knew nothing about (which included atonality & other early-20th-Century innovations).

With this curiosity & openness to historical & secular context in mind, I heartily recommend "The Return of Little Big Man"...to everyone who relishes the picaresque tradition & the evisceration of the mythology of the American West (& of American Exceptionalism).

[Gary M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

After recently reading and loving the novel, Little Big Man I had to dive straight into the sequel, which was originally published back in 1999 - It turns out that Jack Crabb faked his death at the end of the Little Big Man novel in order to get rid of that pesky journalist, and now he's back, at 112 years of age to narrate the rest of his story into one of those new tape recording machines. And the book, like its predecessor is an absolute delight.

"I had had my own grievance against Custer, whose attack on the Cheyenne camp on the Washita, years earlier, had resulted in the loss of my Indian wife and child, and thought for a while I'd kill him if I could, but I never got the chance, and now that somebody had done it with no help from me, I both lacked a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of purpose as to what I'd do with the rest of my life."
-- from the first chapter of 'The Return of Little Big Man'

Narrated of course in the first person; a chatty style as if Crabb is narrating his story onto tape for future generations, and the end of this one is absolutely excellent and both definitively finishes the story, while somehow leaving it open for yet another volume. Though with the author having died, Patrick Bergar that is not Jack Crabb at the young age of 89 back in 2014 it seems that the story is now over.

Once again Jack is as hand to witness historic events in the old West - Hickock's murder, of which Crabb sees himself as responsible, the gunfight at,, or rather close to the OK Corral and the murder of his good friend Sitting Bull by reservation police in 1890. He's also at hand when Queen Victoria comes out of a quarter of a century mourning to see Buffalo Bill's Wild West Circus, of which Jack is a part. Other historical figures come in and out of the book - Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane, Bat Masterton and Libby Custer to name but a few.

I loved this book and found it even better than Little Big Man - this time Jack's wanderings take him over a far larger canvas and the comedy is far broader, though never slapstick and always believable. For instance once scene in which Jack buries his beloved dog, Pard is absolutely heartbreaking but suddenly becomes insanely hilarious when the dog, very much alive and having dug itself out of its early grave, comes padding up to him. I won't give away the details of this scene but I will say that it works so well that, I think I shed a tear at the death of the pouch. I know I laughed out loud when it was revealed that he hadn't been dead but......well, I won't give it away but will say that Pard doesn't seem to harbour any ill feelings to his adopted master for having prematurely buried him.

There are so many other highlights in this superbly crafted story - I've only ever read two Bergers books, this one and the volume that came before, but he seems to me as a kind of Mark Twain for the modern age. I guess I'm going to have to check out his other books.

[Larry Kloth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, Informative, and Entertaining

Jack Crabb, a white boy taken captive by the Cheyenne and raised by them, and who spent his life walking between the Euro-American and Native American worlds, returns to continue telling his remarkable story. The supposed sole white survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, quite the story in and of itself, and now 110 years old as he tells his story, Jack happened to know most of the major historical figures of the Old West, and was present at many of its major historical events. His employment with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show also takes him to Europe, where he meets Queen Victoria and becomes pals with the Prince of Wales. He says he wants to tell the story of the West as he saw it with his own eyes, without an axe to grind. In the original book, he says - -not nearly as nicely --"you can believe me or you can go to hell!"

Well, I am inclined to believe him, or at least the words Thomas Berger put I his mouth. Jack is a wonderful, likeable character. His tales are vivid and honest. The reader also gets a grand survey of Old West history -- in all its glory and tragedy --from the 1870s to the 1890s, when the frontier was considered closed, and the American West, and all that had made it wild, had been subdued by civilization.

The penultimate chapter has Jack at the Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago, where the cabin in which Sitting Bull lived and was murdered had been disassembled , moved, and reassembled, as tourist attraction.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had some misgivings about this sequel, but overall I don’t regret reading it.

First, I knew that the author would have to contrive some explanation for the continued narrative, given Jack Crabbe’s death in Little Big Man. It wasn’t exactly a Bobby Ewing scenario but it was close.

Secondly, there was a bit of the Forrest Gump flavor to the first book, and Jack’s association with Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Doc Holliday, Buffalo Bill, and Annie Oakley only added to the need for the reader to suspend disbelief and go with the flow.

Third, Jack’s sometimes ambivalent attitude toward the treatment of Native Americans and their adjustment to the white man’s way of life got redundant and tiresome at times, and he seemed inconsistent at times.

Finally, the last half of the book dragged for me, despite the fact that the two books covered only half of Jack’s 112 year life. The end of this one could have easily segued into yet another volume, and I don’t think I’d be up for that.

[Stephen Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having thoroughly enjoyed Little Big Man, I was curious to see what Thomas Berger would do with a sequel. More of the same, it turns out, which isn’t all that bad a thing.

The book continues Jack Crabb’s peregrinations around the Old West right up to the time that it ceases to be very Old. There are more remarkable coincidences, encounters with the legendary and carefully disguised history lessons. If I had any complaint, it’s that the book occasionally seems to be more about dazzling you with Berger’s undoubtedly encyclopaedic research into the era than with telling a story. But those feelings don’t last long, and the fact is, it is a fascinating era. It’s also a very readable tale.

Berger even contrives a sort of happy ending for Jack Crabb – if it can be called an ending. One can’t help but wonder if, had the author had lived another 20 years, we’d have been treated to a third volume. And a fourth. And a…

[Michael Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Crab is a difficult character, a white boy raised by Indian’s in the American Old West. He is brave and capable but willing to run for his life rather than fight for it. He’ll run first, if he can. He maybe more of the American “everyman” than most of the literary heroes doing all those extraordinary things. This book is meant to be a study on the character of Jack Crab, Little Big Man. His Indian grandfather called him that because Jack ws very short but very dangerous. The history of the time, the people he meets are only there as foils to Crab. By living to 120 years old, Crab has shown that his philosophy of life worked. It was a good strategy for survival. If survival is the only evidence you need for concluding a good way of life. Crab is fun to be around too. The book is enjoyable and easy to read.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel. This starts with thirty something Jack Crabb in 1876.

Much of the enjoyable jaunt through American wild-west historical events with the frank, humorous and enlightening turn of phrase. The story really centres on the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and digresses to the Dodge City, OK corral, Sitting Bulls death etc.

This is an excellent book, and if you hadn't read the first, you'd find it equally as good. Regrettably however the narrative necessarily loses the youthful vibrancy and novel, impassioned window on Native American lives from a kid's point of view experiencing it all - Jack is now very much an educated observer, to such an extent that Berger clearly ultimately could not place Jack at Wounded Knee.

I certainly do not regret reading the sequel as that would imply regretting how very perfect the first was!

[Lynn Mandaville · Rating 4 out of 5]

As sequels go, this one isn't bad, but it doesn't come up to the first book's humor and quirkiness.
This overly long addition to the saga of Jack Crabbe is filled with interesting vignettes and facts about life in the American West in the late 1880s and 90s. It relates many famous in infamous historical events, particularly about Buffalo Bill's Wild West extravaganza which toured Europe a couple of times.
The descriptions of Indian life under the influence of the White man are depicted in all its sadness and horrors, consistent with other accounts I've read of life on the reservations, in the Indian schools, and with a glimpse into the culture and minds of Indians as they perceive the odd ways of White people.

Not a bad read if you liked the first one, but be prepared for a long read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the first one several times over the last 20 years, and I consider it to be one of the great novels about the old west.

I recently listened to it and towards the end I saw that there was a sequel. I finished the first one and started the second one the same day. It's really like having two parts of the same book. Both parts are excellent.

I'm not sure why this book is rated lower than the first one.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good sequel to one of my favorite revisionist historical reads - Little Big Man. Jack Crabb's voice makes this picaresque tale feel authentic. I appreciate the sympathetic treatment of Native American culture, although I don't have the expertise to know if it is accurate. Deadwood, Tombstone and Dodge City are the settings for the first half of the book; Buffalo Bill's Wild West show and its tour of Europe is the second half.

[Becky Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did Little Big Man, but it still made me laugh quite a bit. I just love the main character, and whenever the focus was on him, I was entranced. The book lost me sometimes with all the many characters and events, and I got a little tired of the Wild Bill Wild West Show accounts in Europe and abroad, but I was still glad I got to spend a little more time with Jack Crabb.

[Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome story from Thomas Berger. Love, love, love this book. Just the same quirky, lovable, historic, horrific, informational novel as the first. I love the narrator and his take on life. His sweetness and openness to life. So happy he finds his way in the end and hoping that love blossoms for him.

[Edwin Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you didn’t love Little Big Man, it unlikely you’ll enjoy this sequel as much as I did. There is no engaging plot to sustain the narrative. But for me that was enough.

Little Big Man was great literature (a bit overlooked at the moment but it’s time will return as it does for all great novels) but this sequel is no more than a fun read. So, given that caveat, enjoy the read.

[Michael Cottle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled upon this while visiting my local library. Had no idea that there was a sequel to one of my favorite stories. Though I did enjoy this story I don't believe it held the same appeal as the first.

[Jeff Mayo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was written 35 years after the original and was just a cash grab. This one has Sitting Bull, Wild Bill, and the gunfight at the OK Corral, among other adventures. It is contrived, silly, and a little stupid, but it is fun enough in the right frame of mind.

[Steve Fowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first novel was a great read. This one is good, but my problem was it was less about him personally and more about tying him to historical events that then went into what I felt was a lot of historical exposition and no real plot. Just Jack meandering and having life happen to him.

[Abonrat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A continuation of and as good as "Little Big Man"

[Ralph Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not as good as the initial Little Big Man. Entertaining. Bogs down a little at the Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull show biz stuff.