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Sitting Bull's War: The Battle of Little Big Horn and the Fight for Buffalo and Freedom on the Plains
The dramatic story of America’s greatest Indian war told from perspective of the Lakotas and the Northern Cheyennes, as they fight for their way of life on the buffalo prairie.
A New Yorker Best Book of the Year
In this deeply affecting account of America’s greatest Indian war, readers are quickly immersed in the world of Lakotas and Northern Cheyennes and their struggle in the 1870s to retain their lives on the buffalo prairie. Those impassioned Northern Indians faced a succession of white invaders—railroaders, borderland surveyors, prospectors, and ultimately the United States Army.
In the best of days they turned back George Crook at the Rosebud and wiped out George Armstrong Custer at the Little Big Horn. But a dozen other clashes followed, and in the end these tradition-minded people could not endure the army’s endless hounding. Some fled to Canada to a luring if momentary exile, but in the end one and all faced starvation, submission, and, for some, death.
Rallying the defense of this lifeway of old was Sitting Bull, legendary Hunkpapa Lakota spiritualist. He was supported throughout by Crazy Horse, Spotted Eagle, Big Road, Little Wolf, and a host of other kindred traditional chiefs and headmen who, in turn, rallied thousands of like-minded men, women, and children. And yet, but for momentary glory against Crook and Custer, this was a war that could not be won.
Award-winning author Paul L. Hedren was ten years in crafting this great American epic. Utilizing an array of Lakota and Cheyenne accounts, pictographic renderings, and original interviews, this is the story of a people intent only on adhering to a traditional life on the buffalo prairie. The narrative is broad and inclusive and a welcome addition to the canon of American Indian wars history.
A New Yorker Best Book of the Year
In this deeply affecting account of America’s greatest Indian war, readers are quickly immersed in the world of Lakotas and Northern Cheyennes and their struggle in the 1870s to retain their lives on the buffalo prairie. Those impassioned Northern Indians faced a succession of white invaders—railroaders, borderland surveyors, prospectors, and ultimately the United States Army.
In the best of days they turned back George Crook at the Rosebud and wiped out George Armstrong Custer at the Little Big Horn. But a dozen other clashes followed, and in the end these tradition-minded people could not endure the army’s endless hounding. Some fled to Canada to a luring if momentary exile, but in the end one and all faced starvation, submission, and, for some, death.
Rallying the defense of this lifeway of old was Sitting Bull, legendary Hunkpapa Lakota spiritualist. He was supported throughout by Crazy Horse, Spotted Eagle, Big Road, Little Wolf, and a host of other kindred traditional chiefs and headmen who, in turn, rallied thousands of like-minded men, women, and children. And yet, but for momentary glory against Crook and Custer, this was a war that could not be won.
Award-winning author Paul L. Hedren was ten years in crafting this great American epic. Utilizing an array of Lakota and Cheyenne accounts, pictographic renderings, and original interviews, this is the story of a people intent only on adhering to a traditional life on the buffalo prairie. The narrative is broad and inclusive and a welcome addition to the canon of American Indian wars history.
576 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2025
About the author
Paul L. Hedren
27 books10 followersA native Minnesotan, Paul Hedren retired from the National Park Service in 2007 after nearly thirty-seven years as a park historian and superintendent at such storied places as Fort Laramie National Historic Site, Wyoming, the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah, and the Niobrara National Scenic River in Nebraska.
Paul is also a lifelong writer and the author of scores of scholarly and popular articles plus eleven books, with stories largely focusing on the Great Sioux War of 1876-77 and particularly that conflict’s subtleties and consequences. Paul’s won numerous writing awards including a Spur from the Western Writers of America, the Vivian Paladin Award from the Montana Historical Society, and the Herbert Schell Award from the South Dakota State Historical Society. In 2011 his book After Custer: Loss and Transformation in Sioux Country won a prestigious Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and also the Sills Book Prize from the Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association.
Paul is also a lifelong writer and the author of scores of scholarly and popular articles plus eleven books, with stories largely focusing on the Great Sioux War of 1876-77 and particularly that conflict’s subtleties and consequences. Paul’s won numerous writing awards including a Spur from the Western Writers of America, the Vivian Paladin Award from the Montana Historical Society, and the Herbert Schell Award from the South Dakota State Historical Society. In 2011 his book After Custer: Loss and Transformation in Sioux Country won a prestigious Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and also the Sills Book Prize from the Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 6, 2026
Full disclosure: I couldn't finish it (moved to skimming half way through). While I love the concept of this book, it needs at least one map per chapter, especially when there are so many references to landmarks, geography, and directionals. Frustrating to read otherwise, and life is too short.
September 19, 2026
This 2025 book focuses on the final great conflict between the tribes of the northern Plains and the United States military. Even for those who have read extensively about these events, this book is very much a worthwhile read, as it relates the events from the native side, with Sitting Bull's experience during the decade or so that this war lasted being at the center of the narrative. The author made use of a wealth of resources to put together his story and he really succeeds in putting the reader's vantage point one of looking east at the encroaching railroad surveyors laying out tracks in the Dakotas, miners illegally entering the Black Hills, and soldiers constructing forts. The book refers to the cavalry the way the natives did ("horse soldiers") and to the military leaders by the nicknames given to them by the Indians (i.e., "Bear Coat" Miles). In the description of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, no soldier names are given until its aftermath, but the narrative is full of precise descriptions of what individual Sioux and Cheyenne warriors were doing. The part of the book that provided me with new insights were the chapters that covered Sitting Bull's time in Canada. My one complaint about the book had nothing to do with the text, but with the lack of maps in key sections of the story, especially the descriptions of the battles of Rosebud and Little Bighorn. There are a couple of general maps at the beginning of the book, but so much of this story is visual (and I have always loved looking at maps), that the inability to follow the written descriptions with a visual component was frustrating. But I might be alone with that complaint and it certainly did not detract from the quality of the printed words.
February 6, 2026
A long book but told from the POV of Sitting Bull and other indigenous Americans. Meticulously researched. Evoked much empathy for those who just wanted to roam the prairies, follow the Buffalo, and maintain cultural traditions.
October 29, 2026
Earlier this year, I read and did a brief review of the book They Had Names: Tracing the History of the North American Indigenous People by Nathaniel Jeanson. The book was endorsed by leaders of the young earth creationist organization, Answers in Genesis. That book advocated for the view that American Indians came to North America through Alaska when there was a land path there. They Had Names said that this happened relatively recently but others support the same history, albeit with the peoples movement happening much earlier. I gave They Had Names five stars given the extensive research by Jeanson but more importantly in that it highlighted the importance and humanity of who we often call Native Americans today (but more on that Native American description later).
In June of this year, while visiting family in suburban Portland, Oregon, Sandy and I drove there, from Bismarck, North Dakota, and I noted specifically, for kind of the first time, that the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, was close to being on the way. We did not actually stop there (but, maybe, will on a possible future drive to Oregon), but thinking about the famous Indian battle in which George Custer and others died (“Custer’s Last Stand”), part of the nineteenth century Great Sioux War that the United States ultimately won, I mused, maybe I should get and read some authoritative book about this significant historical event.
A very good relatively new book for doing this is Sitting Bull’s War: The Battle of Little Big Horn and the Fight for Buffalo and Freedom on the Plains (November 4, 2025, 576 pages, Pegasus Books) by Paul L. Hedren, “a retired National Park Service historian and superintendent whose thirty-seven-year career led him from Minnesota to Wyoming, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, and Nebraska. His many books have received numerous honors, including a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, a Western Heritage Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and multiple Best Book awards from the Little Big Horn Associates. He is a lifelong student of the Great Sioux War, and he is often found exploring the trails, battlefields, back corners, and sacred sites of that intriguing 1870s Indian war. When not in the field, Paul resides in Omaha, Nebraska.” (Amazon description of the author – one can also get the book digitally through other outlets like Bookshop).
In Sitting Bull’s War, Hedren carves out a trail where he tries to describe the war and everything about it through Sitting Bull’s eyes. In his unique approach, Hedren might be doing something that nobody else has. Critics liked it for sure, and understandably so. Plaudits listed include A New Yorker Best Book of the Year, Winner of the John M. Carroll Best Book in Indian Wars History, Winner of the Joseph Sills, Jr., Annual Award for Little Big Horn Battle Literature, and Winner of the Westerners International Co-Founders Best Book Award.
In the four star work, Hedren indicates a pro-Indian bias. Hedren depicts the well-known Indian chief, Sitting Bull, as a “holy man,” suggesting that this is something Hedren believes himself. As have others, Hedren says that greed was a factor in the United States actions in going West. But although Custer lost his battle, that was an outlier, and the U.S. eventually prevailed in the overall war. Hedren tells the story for those interested.
I found it noteworthy that in the introduction, Hedren AVOIDS using the term “Native American.” Hedren explains, “My choices of language are deliberate. The native peoples of this story refer to themselves as Indians, or Lakotas, or Northern Cheyennes, and even Sioux, the botched French translation of a Chippewa word, and they do so to this day. But native peoples then and more so now use some words cautiously. Native American and Amerindian, for instance, do not appear in this book aside from here, once. That I was born in New Ulm, Minnesota, of stout Swedish-German stock, and am Native American too, further drives the point.” Yes, Hedren is “Native American,” and so am I and probably most people reading this review. Something to think about. “Native American” may not actually be an accurate label in common parlance.
Regardless of that, as stated, this is a very good book that has won awards. The Wall Street Journal properly commented, “No other historian has mined American Indian accounts of a war with the U.S. government more thoroughly than Mr. Hedren has here. As an encyclopedic recounting of the battles, skirmishes and other encounters of the Great Sioux War and of its antecedents, however, ‘Sitting Bull’s War’ succeeds admirably, and is a worthwhile addition to the literature on the Indian Wars of the West that students of that era will welcome.”
In June of this year, while visiting family in suburban Portland, Oregon, Sandy and I drove there, from Bismarck, North Dakota, and I noted specifically, for kind of the first time, that the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, was close to being on the way. We did not actually stop there (but, maybe, will on a possible future drive to Oregon), but thinking about the famous Indian battle in which George Custer and others died (“Custer’s Last Stand”), part of the nineteenth century Great Sioux War that the United States ultimately won, I mused, maybe I should get and read some authoritative book about this significant historical event.
A very good relatively new book for doing this is Sitting Bull’s War: The Battle of Little Big Horn and the Fight for Buffalo and Freedom on the Plains (November 4, 2025, 576 pages, Pegasus Books) by Paul L. Hedren, “a retired National Park Service historian and superintendent whose thirty-seven-year career led him from Minnesota to Wyoming, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, and Nebraska. His many books have received numerous honors, including a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, a Western Heritage Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and multiple Best Book awards from the Little Big Horn Associates. He is a lifelong student of the Great Sioux War, and he is often found exploring the trails, battlefields, back corners, and sacred sites of that intriguing 1870s Indian war. When not in the field, Paul resides in Omaha, Nebraska.” (Amazon description of the author – one can also get the book digitally through other outlets like Bookshop).
In Sitting Bull’s War, Hedren carves out a trail where he tries to describe the war and everything about it through Sitting Bull’s eyes. In his unique approach, Hedren might be doing something that nobody else has. Critics liked it for sure, and understandably so. Plaudits listed include A New Yorker Best Book of the Year, Winner of the John M. Carroll Best Book in Indian Wars History, Winner of the Joseph Sills, Jr., Annual Award for Little Big Horn Battle Literature, and Winner of the Westerners International Co-Founders Best Book Award.
In the four star work, Hedren indicates a pro-Indian bias. Hedren depicts the well-known Indian chief, Sitting Bull, as a “holy man,” suggesting that this is something Hedren believes himself. As have others, Hedren says that greed was a factor in the United States actions in going West. But although Custer lost his battle, that was an outlier, and the U.S. eventually prevailed in the overall war. Hedren tells the story for those interested.
I found it noteworthy that in the introduction, Hedren AVOIDS using the term “Native American.” Hedren explains, “My choices of language are deliberate. The native peoples of this story refer to themselves as Indians, or Lakotas, or Northern Cheyennes, and even Sioux, the botched French translation of a Chippewa word, and they do so to this day. But native peoples then and more so now use some words cautiously. Native American and Amerindian, for instance, do not appear in this book aside from here, once. That I was born in New Ulm, Minnesota, of stout Swedish-German stock, and am Native American too, further drives the point.” Yes, Hedren is “Native American,” and so am I and probably most people reading this review. Something to think about. “Native American” may not actually be an accurate label in common parlance.
Regardless of that, as stated, this is a very good book that has won awards. The Wall Street Journal properly commented, “No other historian has mined American Indian accounts of a war with the U.S. government more thoroughly than Mr. Hedren has here. As an encyclopedic recounting of the battles, skirmishes and other encounters of the Great Sioux War and of its antecedents, however, ‘Sitting Bull’s War’ succeeds admirably, and is a worthwhile addition to the literature on the Indian Wars of the West that students of that era will welcome.”
May 24, 2026
The first half of this book was difficult to read. Hedren, a geographer by trade, spends a lot of time describing the geography of the areas where the action took place. To me, the story bogged down in places as a result. Didn't seem to me that so much geographical knowledge added to the narrative, hence my trouble with that element. Still, I get why he would focus on that. The description of the Battle of Little Big Horn, in a chapter titled "One Day In June", suffered from an overly-detailed description of the geography of the battlefield, at the expense of more specific details about the battle itself.
I understand that objectivity requires me to put aside my complaints about Hedren's writing; as a lifelong employee of the National Park Service, he surely has forgotten more about the subject than I will ever know. Still, it was a tough slog getting through the first portion of this book, despite my great interest in the subject matter.
I found the part of the book that describes the post-Little Big Horn history much more interesting and compelling. The writing flows more smoothly, the character sketches are more finely drawn, and the narrative kept me turning the pages.
Overall, this was a great book book to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the fact it took me a long time to do so. I just couldn't get a rhythm going in the first half of the book that helped me keep the pages turning.
I'm a history nut; Native American history is one of my favorite subjects. This book is a notable addition to that canon. Strongly recommend digging through the bibliography in great detail as I did. I took four pages of hand-written notes of materials cited that I'm hoping to find in local libraries that I can read subsequently.
If you struggle like me in the first half, keep with it. You will be rewarded when the narrative picks up in the second half, post Little Big Horn. Hedren weaves a detailed and fascinating history of the final chapter of Native American independence on the Great Plains. Fans of Native American history like me owe him a debt of gratitude for his efforts on this book.
I understand that objectivity requires me to put aside my complaints about Hedren's writing; as a lifelong employee of the National Park Service, he surely has forgotten more about the subject than I will ever know. Still, it was a tough slog getting through the first portion of this book, despite my great interest in the subject matter.
I found the part of the book that describes the post-Little Big Horn history much more interesting and compelling. The writing flows more smoothly, the character sketches are more finely drawn, and the narrative kept me turning the pages.
Overall, this was a great book book to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the fact it took me a long time to do so. I just couldn't get a rhythm going in the first half of the book that helped me keep the pages turning.
I'm a history nut; Native American history is one of my favorite subjects. This book is a notable addition to that canon. Strongly recommend digging through the bibliography in great detail as I did. I took four pages of hand-written notes of materials cited that I'm hoping to find in local libraries that I can read subsequently.
If you struggle like me in the first half, keep with it. You will be rewarded when the narrative picks up in the second half, post Little Big Horn. Hedren weaves a detailed and fascinating history of the final chapter of Native American independence on the Great Plains. Fans of Native American history like me owe him a debt of gratitude for his efforts on this book.
May 25, 2026
A solid work that covers the series of conflicts between the US and Cheyenne and other respective tribes in the American West in the 1870s. In particular, it focuses on tribal perspectives of the conflicts and interpersonal engagements during the fighting. Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse are the main figures, as they played the most prominent roles in the fighting and negotiations between the ethnic groups and the US government. As per usual, the US government did not prove honest brokers in their dealings, especially since they did not truly understand the requirements of the respective tribes. However, the tribes could never truly adapt or trust any efforts to adjust to what was a fading reality in their existence. While the work does cover the US disaster at Little Big Horn, their is not all that much focus on the tactical engagements. The overall perspectives from the tribes, which does get lost in most standard histories, is the main strength and focus of the work. Worth the checkout from the library, but it does help to review the details beforehand for dates and US perspectives.
May 10, 2026
A very well researched book. It is full of details about the Great Sioux War (Sitting Bull's War) from the Lakota and Cheyenne viewpoints but not so much about the White Man's point of view. It covers all the major fights (and a few not so major) including the Little Bighorn. My favorite part of the book was the last third or so that dealt with Sitting Bull's time in Canada and the events that lead to his eventual surrender. The author does tend to repeat himself from time to time but it doesn't distract from the story. It is a long book, but worth the read.
July 29, 2026
3.5* Detailed look at Lakota, Sioux, Cheyenne First People's Chiefs. This was a well researched study that supports the pain, trauma & devastation of our Indigenous People by White Men. Really makes today's reader angry that the US government cintunues ignoring their continued mistreatment & destruction of their land.
August 6, 2026
I really only have one complaint,regarding this latest book on Sitting Bull.
The lack of maps so you can follow the action,the only maps,are in the front of the book.
Which means you need to keep flipping back know to the front of the book.
I also think that the book could have been about a 100 pages shorter.
Overall,not a great read,but one worth reading
The lack of maps so you can follow the action,the only maps,are in the front of the book.
Which means you need to keep flipping back know to the front of the book.
I also think that the book could have been about a 100 pages shorter.
Overall,not a great read,but one worth reading
February 15, 2026
Admittedly I like reading about native Americans but this is so well written it gets 5 stars. Tells the story of events leading up to Custer’s demise from what was going on from Sitting Bull’s perspective and follows events afterwards.
March 3, 2026
An intricate account of a people's culture slowly dying out thanks to white greed through the disappearance of a way of life and through climate keeping natural food sources away. Gave important notes and brought out a population as individuals, not just as a group with one set of thoughts.
April 5, 2026
A thorough and fascinating account of the "Indian wars" (or should we say the white man's wars?) told from the Indian (as the author calls Native Americans for reasons he explains). Well written, the daily life of the community and war and preparing for war vividly told.
April 16, 2026
A fascinating account of the last days of the free Lakota. My mother's family was from South Dakota. I had a great-uncle who spoke Lakota...but never around me.
August 2, 2026
Detailed presentation
March 24, 2026
The most detailed book I have read that tells the story from the Native American point of view. It does a very good job explaining in detail how the Indians suffered after the battle of the little big horn and were eventually driven onto the reservations due to facing starvation and constant Army campaigns. The author compiled many new Native American accounts that I havnt read before.
I gave it 4 stars because it could be a little bit of a tough read at times but if you want to learn about the Native American account of the time frame this is a must read.
This author’s passion and life studies are the American Indian wars and his books on the battle of the Powder River and Rosebud are must haves.
I gave it 4 stars because it could be a little bit of a tough read at times but if you want to learn about the Native American account of the time frame this is a must read.
This author’s passion and life studies are the American Indian wars and his books on the battle of the Powder River and Rosebud are must haves.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews