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Moon of Bitter Cold
By the summer of 1866, America was a changed nation. The Civil War has ended, and the West was calling as a place where the fresh wounds of a nation divided could heal. Many set out to heed that call and explore the land that the terrible war had not touched. Amid the beauty of the region, they found its native inhabitants-and a bloody collision of two cultures.
To the Lakota people, the white man-the wasichus-appeared first as a curiosity but soon turned into a plague. Frustrated and powerless, the proud Lakota Sioux war leader Red Cloud watched helplessly as the wasichus became as plentiful as the grass on the fields, draining the land of its resources, and introducing metal guns and knives, along with the water that makes men crazy. Red Cloud knows that if something is not done soon, there will be no land for his infant son to call his own.
To some he was controversial, to others he was charismatic, but in an unprecedented act, Red Cloud unites the Sioux with the Cheyenne, Arapho and Crow, assembling over three-thousand warriors in what will go down in history as "Red Clouds War." It was an act that would never be equaled, as the Indians defeat the white man in battle after battle, finally bring the U.S. government to the bargaining table, where they sue for peace.
Told with stunning humanity, Fred Chiaventone makes these historical figures, on both sides, living, real people. Combining vivid historical panorama with gritty and realistic drama. He has created a major narrative about a critical period and the pivotal figures on a frontier that won't know peace for decades.
To the Lakota people, the white man-the wasichus-appeared first as a curiosity but soon turned into a plague. Frustrated and powerless, the proud Lakota Sioux war leader Red Cloud watched helplessly as the wasichus became as plentiful as the grass on the fields, draining the land of its resources, and introducing metal guns and knives, along with the water that makes men crazy. Red Cloud knows that if something is not done soon, there will be no land for his infant son to call his own.
To some he was controversial, to others he was charismatic, but in an unprecedented act, Red Cloud unites the Sioux with the Cheyenne, Arapho and Crow, assembling over three-thousand warriors in what will go down in history as "Red Clouds War." It was an act that would never be equaled, as the Indians defeat the white man in battle after battle, finally bring the U.S. government to the bargaining table, where they sue for peace.
Told with stunning humanity, Fred Chiaventone makes these historical figures, on both sides, living, real people. Combining vivid historical panorama with gritty and realistic drama. He has created a major narrative about a critical period and the pivotal figures on a frontier that won't know peace for decades.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
449 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 17, 2018
Historical fiction, thoroughly researched. Like the author’s “A Road We Do Not Know” the story of Red Cloud’s war is presented in a compelling and unbiased way. It took me into the hearts and minds of people of the time and into savage battle. Enjoyable is not the right word as it defies the intensity of the conflict, but great read.
February 13, 2012
I first read "Moon of Bitter Cold" eight years ago and have just finished re-reading it. It takes an exceptional story teller to get me to read a book a second time.
This is an example of what a historical novel should be. The author uses his history background and original source material to craft a clear picture of the clash between Native Americans and the military in the northern plains.
The novel details the the events leading up to the Fetterman massacre, a victory by native americans that rivals the Custer defeat ten years later. The author provides great insight into intra-tribe indian politics and the effort Red Cloud put into the forming of a unique coalition of northern plains tribes to fight white expansion into the plains following the Civil War as well as the difficulties faced by the military in providing safety to travelers heading to the gold fields in Montana. He tells the story in an even handed way without showing a bias to either side. I highly recomend this novel to anyone interested in this clash of cultures that changed the West forever.
The late Terry Johnston also told this story in his novel "Sioux Dawn". I also highly recomend this novel.
This is an example of what a historical novel should be. The author uses his history background and original source material to craft a clear picture of the clash between Native Americans and the military in the northern plains.
The novel details the the events leading up to the Fetterman massacre, a victory by native americans that rivals the Custer defeat ten years later. The author provides great insight into intra-tribe indian politics and the effort Red Cloud put into the forming of a unique coalition of northern plains tribes to fight white expansion into the plains following the Civil War as well as the difficulties faced by the military in providing safety to travelers heading to the gold fields in Montana. He tells the story in an even handed way without showing a bias to either side. I highly recomend this novel to anyone interested in this clash of cultures that changed the West forever.
The late Terry Johnston also told this story in his novel "Sioux Dawn". I also highly recomend this novel.
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September 7, 2015Excellent historical fiction that depicts the clash between cultures in the Northern plains. Read it many years ago, right before traveling to Wyoming and visiting the edifice area where much of this story took place.
August 4, 2009
Good historical western.
May 25, 2012
Wonderful fictional account of post-Civil War on Bozeman Trail, focused on Ft. Kearny and its troops vs. Red Cloud and his consortium of Sioux, Arapaho, and Cheyenne.
February 17, 2016
Second time reading this book. I love it. He did such a good job portraying the Native and the Soldier view of the battles between them. My heart ached for both.
September 3, 2019
I wish there were more from the perspective of the Indians, not just their war councils but their lives, fears, hopes as well. Nevertheless, this was a very interesting read.
4.5
4.5
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews