The Long Knives are Crying

Lakota Western

by Joseph M. Marshall III

The latest Lakota Western picks up the story of Cloud and his people as the Battle of the Little Bighorn looms.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Native American, Audiobook

364 pages, Hardcover

First published August 14, 2008

About the author

Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and holds a PhD from the reservation university, which he helped to establish. The award-winning author of ten books, including Hundred in the Hand, The Lakota Way, and The Journey of Crazy Horse, he has also contributed to various publications and written several screenplays. His first language is Lakota, he handcrafts traditional Lakota bows and arrows, and he is a specialist in wilderness survival. Marshall's work as a cultural and historical consultant can be seen and heard in the Turner Network Television and Dreamworks epic television miniseries Into the West. "

Reviews

[Edward Gwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting novel from the point of view of a member of the Lakota tribe around the time of The Battle of Little Bighorn. Solid read.

[carlos benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story telling in the oral tradition of the Lakota people. By the end of this book I felt as if I knew Crazy Horse as Cloud did. It is said that the victors get to write history. In this case we get to hear the other side. The perspective is illuminating. If you're at all interested in this segment of American history, this book and "Hundred In The Hand" are well worth your time.


I highly suggest these books be enjoyed in audio format, read by the author. I do not think reading them yourself will have the same impact..... Not even remotely. This would not be my recommendation for most books, but I can't emphasize enough how greatly enhanced the audio version is over print for these two books. I can't think of any other book for which I could make the same claim.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in Joseph Marshall's Lakota Westerns series and I absolutely loved it. I tore through this 400+ pager in less than a week.

If you've read any of Marshall's previous books you know that he is an amazing storyteller and oral historian in his own right, so I love that he has imbedded a similar character into his series. The genre of historical fiction has proven to be an amazing medium for Marshall to work within. He is able to tell the stories of these well-known clashes in a way that betters our understandings without vilifying anyone else's. It's humble. It's provocative. It's just so damn good.

[Clint Flatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more books I have read by Joseph Marshall III the more I have come to enjoy his deep emotional spirit for his people's past. This emotion is not about all the wrongs that were done to the Lakota but is a fear that they will become a forgotten people if their history is not kept alive not just in history books and record books but more importantly the stories of the past are kept alive. The good stories of a powerful caring group of people and a strong and determined group who only wanted freedom to live their life their way.

[Ellen Spes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once and a while a story comes along that changes how you think about history. This is one of those books.

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Knives Are Crying
By Joseph M. Marshall III

Review
In the enthralling sequel to A Hundred in the Hand, the author has given us the Lakota view of ‘Custer’s Last Stand’. A telling that is so very different from the popular rendering. I found it amazing that during the running battles at Rosebud and The Greasy Grass, there is no mention of ‘Long Hair’ or ‘Yellow Hair’; none. Years ago, I was fascinated by the movie Little Big Man, and while I still think it’s a wonderful story, it is certainly far from the truth. The historical Little Big Man is a tad different than Dustin Hoffman’s version.
I was particularly drawn to the daily lives of the Lakota; their lifestyles, beliefs, and fears. In my own writing, Native Americans play a significant role in the history of this country, though the tribes involved are east of the Wabash and north of the Ohio. I only hope that my attempts at portraying their awful plight come close to the author’s beautiful rendering of the lives of the Buffalo Nations. 5 Stars

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fictional account of the era of conflict between first nations and the white expansion westward. Although I didn't actually finish the audiobook because it was due back to the library, I found it compelling and accurate in the descriptions of culture and times based on the research readings prior to this. I hope that more first nations authors, as well as voices from diverse origins continue to contribute to the narrative conversations.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed a couple of the author's histories and got into this before I realized it was a novel, let alone second novel in a Lakota Western series. Here Sitting Bull is at the head of a Lakota-Cheyenne alliance in a series of running battles leading to the Battle of the Little Bighorn defeat of General George Armstrong Custer and the Seventh Cavalry which is really a footnote here. One reason beside the rich exposition is the focus on the lesser-known but strategically important Battle of the Rosebud, an earlier Lakota victory.

This is a very romanticized view of stoic, considered philosopher warriors in deliberate, careful conflict. This is interesting to me and I have no problem with it, it is no less an idealization that the Greeks did with the Iliad, since I envisioned a more desperate, grasping mood of a collapsing civilization culminating in such things as the `Ghost Dance religious movement, etc.

[RS Fuster · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to read about the greed of some men and their willingness to break their word. Some part of me is Assamese of our history of these United States. When will we learn from our behavior and change how we treat each other and others who are not from here USA. How can Americans tell others to forget our past transgressions if we continue to act in the same manner year after year.

[Bruce Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always felt a deep connection to Native Americans culture and philosophy. This novel is wrapped around the author’s intimate knowledge of the Lakota people. Joseph M Marshall III tells the story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn (the Greasy Grass battle) from the point of view of the Lakota warriors and their families. I found myself longing for the Long Knives to go away and leave the land and the buffalo and the people alone so they would continue to flourish. We all know how the battle turned out and how the white people continued to attempt the genocide of the Lakota and other original people who inhabited America. There are many beautiful passages of elders passing along traditions and knowledge to their descendant and how they were so connected to the land and the animals they shared it with. I want to be a Lakota.

[Gail Lovely · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is history well-told. The Battle of Greasy Grass (Little Bighorn) as told from and by the Lakota. The book is well-written, telling more than facts of the battle, it includes glimpses of Lakota life during this difficult time. The author uses a fictional family to help fill in the details of life, love, and immense change in the lives of the Lakota people. His appreciation for the strong women and the family and tribal relationships adds much to the oft told story of the battle.

One thing to note, this is a book best read as a printed book, the Kindle version has some formatting issues.

[Renate Kinscheck · Rating 4 out of 5]

this presents a very romanticized view of the Lakota people around the time of the Battles of Rosecreek and Greasy Grass (defeat of Custer). Nevertheless it is very well written, detailed and enthralling. I couldn't stop reading. Unlike so many other accounts of this time, this novel delves deeply into the minds and hearts of the Lakota warriors, though I'm sure they had much bloodier feelings than those described here and engaged in atrocities left out of this writing. (The women are described only as supporting their men and mourning their loss.)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and engaging telling of one of the most famous battles between indigenous nations and the invading US Army, LKaC seems to move much faster through it's narrative than the previous installment some developments occuring so quickly you need to go back and reread a few sections to see what you missed. Still an excellent book.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very compelling story - the told from the Lakota's point of view.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting recounting of historical events...

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not know how many times that I have read this book. The first time was in 2008 when it was first published. I must have taught this book to a hundred classes, from graduate studies courses to general literature of courses, rereading it every time. I even invited Marshall to speak at my university, and I became life-long friends with him and his wife Connie. I was so blessed. When he passed away this spring, I began rereading all of his books, for I own copies of them all, many signed.
The novel is the story of events leading up to the Battle of the Little Bighorn from the Lakota point of view although the actual battle encompasses only the last few chapters of the book. My favorite part is during "Custer's Last Stand"; he is never mentioned, for he is only one of the nameless Calvary men who died in that hill.
I never tire of reading this book!

[RS Fuster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the historical info and culture but it ran a bit long. It also show how the “whites” treated and thought of the indigenous people. Their views and understanding of “White’s” was interesting. If you’re into American indigenous people you’ll enjoy it.

[Ann Hyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finishing this book, I am left with such mourning for a way of life that was forced out of existence. Elegantly written.