Sitting Bull: The Life and Times of an American Patriot

by Robert M. Utley

The definitive, New York Times Notable Book and Spur Award–winning biography of the legendary chief and his dramatic role in the history of westward expansion

Reviled by the United States government as a troublemaker and a coward, revered by his people as a great warrior chief, Sitting Bull has long been one of the most fascinating and misunderstood figures in American history. Distinguished historian Robert M. Utley has forged a compelling portrait of Sitting Bull, presenting the Lakota perspective for the first time and rendering the most unbiased, historically accurate, and vivid portrait of the man to date.

The Sitting Bull who emerges in this fast-paced narrative is a complex, towering a great warrior whose skill and bravery in battle were unparalleled; the spiritual leader of his people; a dignified but ultimately tragically stubborn defender of the traditional ways against the steadfast and unwelcome encroachment of the white man.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Indigenous, American History, Native American, Native Americans

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

A specialist in Native American history and the history of the American West, Robert Marshall Utley was a former chief historian of the National Park Service. He earned a Bachelor of Science in history from Purdue University in 1951, and an Master of Arts in history from Indiana University in 1952. Utley served as Regional Historian of the Southwest Region of the NPS in Santa Fe from 1957 to 1964, and as Chief Historian in Washington, D.C. from 1964 until his retirement in 1980.

Reviews

[Dave Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 50-100 pages are really dry and hard to get through. The period from the Battle of Little Big Horn through the end of Sitting Bull's life was a fascinating portrait of a leader.

[Lindie Nanninga · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy reading history of the American Indians, you'll enjoy this book. It kept me fascinated the entire time I was reading it, another book that was hard to put down!

[Sephreadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chi era Toro Seduto? Intrepido e fiero condottiero o solo un ostacolatore del progresso?

Lo storico Utley ripercorre le tracce di Toro Seduto, capo della tribù Sioux Hunkpapa, e uno dei capi spirituali dei Lakota, delineando un ritratto di un uomo che ha combattuto fino all'ultimo contro il declino delle proprie tradizioni e della libertà del suo popolo.

Il mondo di Toro Seduto è un mondo dedicato alla caccia, a distinguersi in battaglia, alle scorrerie contro le tribù rivali, al Grande Spirito e quando gli statunitensi cominciano a minacciare tutto questo, Toro Seduto imbraccia le armi e combatte.
Sarà tradito, frainteso, tratto in inganno e deluso dai "Wasichu" e dal suo stesso popolo.

Come anche in "Sentieri di guerra", emergono pagine tragiche della storia americana e, leggendo, si ha la sensazione di un disastro incombente: la formazione di Toro Seduto, il mondo spirituale cui diventa portavoce, tutto deve servire per combattere contro i Wasichu che tramite burocrazia ingannevole, ricatti e infine massacri, cercheranno di piegare un uomo che riuscì ad essere il cuore di un popolo.

Bellissima, bellissima lettura, ma che sofferenza i capitoli finali! A parte quest'edizione piuttosto vecchiotta che contiene tantissimi refusi (sigh!), è un libro molto dettagliato che racconta i fatti e le battaglie sia dal punto di vista dei Lakota sia dell'esercito e governo americano, quindi dando effettivamente un confronto tra quello proposto e recepito da entrambe le parti. L'indignazione è normale, la rabbia pure, ma anche l'ammirazione per chi ha cercato e saputo difendere la propria identità è comunque immensa.

[Mimi Wolske · Rating 4 out of 5]

You get to know what makes a leader a true leader, a patriot, a spiritual leader, and real American Patriot.
Sitting Bull is larger than life in this biography; btw, I found it well researched and the author did an wonderful job of bringing this man to life by his knowledge of the Lakota and he gives the reader their perspective of a great warrior and chief.
I think it's a little complex but I also found it a fast-paced piece of writing. The way he shows us the legendary man, who was hated by the US government, makes it understandable why this book was awarded the New York Times Notable Book and Spur Award.
I borrowed this book from the library in the city where I live.

[Krokki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true Chief of America! Sitting Bull is a towering figure in the history of the United States, and this book tells his story - from a young war hero of the Lakota Sioux' to an oppressed negotiator of peace for the cause of indians. What horror theese native americans experienced, on their own turf by the expansionists. Trickery through bureaucracy, oppression and violence. A storm of crulety through decades. Horrible! The sad scene when Sitting Bull gave up his rifle in 1881, drew tears from my eyes. His legend must never be forgotten!

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sitting Bull: The Life and Times of an American Patriot tells the story of Sitting Bull, from his childhood to his death.

Good book. Does exactly what it's supposed to, goes over the life and death of Sitting Bull in a great and easily readable way. Informative and interesting. Some passages in the book did get a little convoluted and hard to follow, for someone like me who doesn't know a lot about the topic, and that does drag my rating down a bit.
Solid book overall. 3 stars.

[Aldon Rachele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superduper great book

[Paolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interessante vita di uno dei capi indiani più famosi

[Carmen Scuderi · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words . . . Only silence.

Well research
ed brilliant and honest. A sad tribute to a Hunkpapa holy man. The story is finally presented from an objective perspective

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow another wonderful book. The life and death of Sitting Bull. 5 solid stars.

[Howard Morledge III · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed and without indulgence.

The history of Sitting Bull is clearly detailed and his journey appears to be documented and outlined by facts and evidence. At the same time the book is without indulgence and throughout most of the book oftentimes drab like facts most times are. His death was anticlimactic and without closure. With that said Sitting Bull became more human and more flawed then the myth which in my opinion is the greatest achievement the book has given me. A man who achieved such admirable stature at life and then beaten into total defeat. In the end he endured submission undeserving of such an earthly and spirited man, he remained true to all his beliefs and never wavered or surrendered them which was the essence of Sitting Bull. His rise to Chief is as remarkable as it is legendary.

[D C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only book I've read on Sitting Bull. Seemed to be a good historical account of his life.

[Janet Parfitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent history of Sitting Bull by Robert M. Utley. He is the premier historian in the field of the American West and he does not disappoint here. This is well researched and well written and it is an extremely important edition to the library of anyone interested in the history of the American West or Native American history.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography of Sioux medicine man Sitting Bull and the role that he played in the war with the whiteman.

[Terrie Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative biography

[Jim Swike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great Narrative story of the great Chief Sitting Bull. An amazing life in the Old West, told from the Indian side, enjoy!

[Jordan Janski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book