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Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life (Volume 254)
Crazy Horse was as much feared by tribal foes as he was honored by allies. His war record was unmatched by any of his peers, and his rout of Custer at the Little Bighorn reverberates through history. Yet so much about him is unknown or steeped in legend.
Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life corrects older, idealized accounts—and draws on a greater variety of sources than other recent biographies—to expose the real Crazy Horse: not the brash Sioux warrior we have come to expect but a modest, reflective man whose courage was anchored in Lakota piety. Kingsley M. Bray has plumbed interviews of Crazy Horse’s contemporaries and consulted modern Lakotas to fill in vital details of Crazy Horse’s inner and public life.
Bray places Crazy Horse within the rich context of the nineteenth-century Lakota world. He reassesses the war chief’s achievements in numerous battles and retraces the tragic sequence of misunderstandings, betrayals, and misjudgments that led to his death. Bray also explores the private tragedies that marred Crazy Horse’s childhood and the network of relationships that shaped his adult life.
To this day, Crazy Horse remains a compelling symbol of resistance for modern Lakotas. Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life is a singular achievement, scholarly and authoritative, offering a complete portrait of the man and a fuller understanding of his place in American Indian and United States history.
Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life corrects older, idealized accounts—and draws on a greater variety of sources than other recent biographies—to expose the real Crazy Horse: not the brash Sioux warrior we have come to expect but a modest, reflective man whose courage was anchored in Lakota piety. Kingsley M. Bray has plumbed interviews of Crazy Horse’s contemporaries and consulted modern Lakotas to fill in vital details of Crazy Horse’s inner and public life.
Bray places Crazy Horse within the rich context of the nineteenth-century Lakota world. He reassesses the war chief’s achievements in numerous battles and retraces the tragic sequence of misunderstandings, betrayals, and misjudgments that led to his death. Bray also explores the private tragedies that marred Crazy Horse’s childhood and the network of relationships that shaped his adult life.
To this day, Crazy Horse remains a compelling symbol of resistance for modern Lakotas. Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life is a singular achievement, scholarly and authoritative, offering a complete portrait of the man and a fuller understanding of his place in American Indian and United States history.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 28, 2011
Kingsley M. Bray’s biography of Crazy Horse is an immensely appealing combination of detailed historiography and marvelously accessible writing, a book that makes not only its prime subject, Crazy Horse, come into clear focus but which also illuminates the turbulent times in which his story was played out.
Bray portrays Crazy Horse as a somewhat introverted Oglala Lakota with deep spiritual yearnings and accomplishment who became an undefeatable warrior and successful strategist in the battles against other Native Americans and also against the white Americans who were encroaching on Indian lands during the mid-19th century. While many Native Americans around him were accepting humiliating terms of peace, Crazy Horse absolutely refused, choosing instead to fight and remaining defiant until his death.
Bray’s book includes nearly every battle in which Crazy Horse took part and his writing is such that the reader can easily follow battle sequences, something not always natural for this reviewer. This is particularly compelling for watershed battles like the Battle of Little Big Horn (Custer’s Last Stand), a key moment in Native American/European American relations, and a battle fully detailed in Bray’s chapter called “A Good Day to Die.”
The writing is marvelously descriptive and presents many arresting images of its central character, such as his dramatic if somewhat reckless attempt, early in his career, to bring a stalemate with some US soldiers to an end: “He kneed forward his pony and galloped the length of Cole’s defensive square. Firing at will, the troopers snapped off shot after futile shot at the slim figure leaning low over his pony’s neck. Opposite the end of their line, Crazy Horse drew rein and briefly rested his mount, still in clear range. Then he galloped back, veering closer to the line of barking Spencers. Still no bullet touched him. A third time he charged, nearer again to the soldier line. A few ragged shots tracked his run, but presently the firing stopped. Even when he made a direct dash toward the line, the guns remained silent, and Crazy Horse swung back to rejoin his stunned comrades. His disarming, wry modesty surfaced: ‘Now my friends, don’t worry,’ he grinned as they pressed forward to reassure themselves of his safety.” Crazy Horse’s battle prowess would become stuff of legend.
Although the eventual fate of Native Americans is obvious, “Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life,” told from the Lakota point of view and illuminating their way of life with meticulous research and fluid prose, is a real page-turner and one that paints an unforgettable portrait of its central character.
(This review is also posted at BookPleasures.com).
Bray portrays Crazy Horse as a somewhat introverted Oglala Lakota with deep spiritual yearnings and accomplishment who became an undefeatable warrior and successful strategist in the battles against other Native Americans and also against the white Americans who were encroaching on Indian lands during the mid-19th century. While many Native Americans around him were accepting humiliating terms of peace, Crazy Horse absolutely refused, choosing instead to fight and remaining defiant until his death.
Bray’s book includes nearly every battle in which Crazy Horse took part and his writing is such that the reader can easily follow battle sequences, something not always natural for this reviewer. This is particularly compelling for watershed battles like the Battle of Little Big Horn (Custer’s Last Stand), a key moment in Native American/European American relations, and a battle fully detailed in Bray’s chapter called “A Good Day to Die.”
The writing is marvelously descriptive and presents many arresting images of its central character, such as his dramatic if somewhat reckless attempt, early in his career, to bring a stalemate with some US soldiers to an end: “He kneed forward his pony and galloped the length of Cole’s defensive square. Firing at will, the troopers snapped off shot after futile shot at the slim figure leaning low over his pony’s neck. Opposite the end of their line, Crazy Horse drew rein and briefly rested his mount, still in clear range. Then he galloped back, veering closer to the line of barking Spencers. Still no bullet touched him. A third time he charged, nearer again to the soldier line. A few ragged shots tracked his run, but presently the firing stopped. Even when he made a direct dash toward the line, the guns remained silent, and Crazy Horse swung back to rejoin his stunned comrades. His disarming, wry modesty surfaced: ‘Now my friends, don’t worry,’ he grinned as they pressed forward to reassure themselves of his safety.” Crazy Horse’s battle prowess would become stuff of legend.
Although the eventual fate of Native Americans is obvious, “Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life,” told from the Lakota point of view and illuminating their way of life with meticulous research and fluid prose, is a real page-turner and one that paints an unforgettable portrait of its central character.
(This review is also posted at BookPleasures.com).
July 10, 2013
I've challenged myself to read at least one biography a year. Partly to learn about a variety of people but also to see how different biographers research and present their subject. How do you capture an entire life in one book? What style of writing? How much research is available?
The last couple years I read Robert Redford's bio and then Steve Jobs. I enjoyed both books about contemporary people and the authors had access to interview not only their subjects but their families, friends, coworkers. We have both those men on film even - but THIS biography -- Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life -- we don't even have a photo of the guy to work with! Yet this author does a great job fleshing out this fascinating character. We learn about his birth all the way thru to his burial, and the research process was painstaking no doubt. (The guy has nearly 100 pages of footnotes and references.)
Fun trivia...Crazy Horse was originally named Curly Hair. Can you imagine a great warrior named Curly?! Ha. Early on his father realized his son was destined for great things so he gave his son his name, and since they don't repeat names the father took the name Worm. I love info like that.
I docked the book a star because it's a lot of battle scenes. A lot. I realize fighting was Crazy Horse's life, but personally I'm not into warfare strategy so that wasn't as thrilling to me. But the guy killed over 200 men in battle, so I understand there was no way around it.
Glad I read it. Crazy Horse was a special man for a certain time in history. For sure.
The last couple years I read Robert Redford's bio and then Steve Jobs. I enjoyed both books about contemporary people and the authors had access to interview not only their subjects but their families, friends, coworkers. We have both those men on film even - but THIS biography -- Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life -- we don't even have a photo of the guy to work with! Yet this author does a great job fleshing out this fascinating character. We learn about his birth all the way thru to his burial, and the research process was painstaking no doubt. (The guy has nearly 100 pages of footnotes and references.)
Fun trivia...Crazy Horse was originally named Curly Hair. Can you imagine a great warrior named Curly?! Ha. Early on his father realized his son was destined for great things so he gave his son his name, and since they don't repeat names the father took the name Worm. I love info like that.
I docked the book a star because it's a lot of battle scenes. A lot. I realize fighting was Crazy Horse's life, but personally I'm not into warfare strategy so that wasn't as thrilling to me. But the guy killed over 200 men in battle, so I understand there was no way around it.
Glad I read it. Crazy Horse was a special man for a certain time in history. For sure.
May 31, 2013
Bray's work is as complete a treatment of Crazy Horse as seems possible. It places him in his time, and explains much of that time by means of his life. It is a splendid book (see also Thomas Powers' "The Killing of Crazy Horse," which is another very good book). The treatment of the Fetterman defeat, the battle with Crook, and Custer's defeat (especially) are extremely well done. Still, it is the depiction of Crazy Horse's temper and decision making that carries the day.
February 5, 2015
This is probably the most well-researched book on the subject of the U.S.-Native American wars I have ever read. Mr. Bray seemed to know everything down to what the characters had for breakfast that morning. Instead of a homage to some near-mythical being, he presents the Lakota leader as a gifted, but troubled man, struggling to negotiate a very difficult period of history. For those interested in an honest history of the time, you could do no better.
March 17, 2009
Incredibly well researched. Sometimes slow in the early part of the Sioux War but when he gets to the events leading to Crazy Horse's death it is fascinating. He really captures the politics of the whites and Indians while personalizing Crazy Horse's struggles. Crazy Horse threw away his life for his people against his personal desires and this book explores those issues incredibly well.
April 21, 2014
This book would be good for anyone who is looking for month by day by hour by minute review of the battles of Crazy Horse. For my taste there was too much conjecture by the author and too many details of the battles. There are many facts supported by a long bibliography. It bored me and became tedious.
October 22, 2009
An exhaustive account of the life and tragic death of War Chief Crazy Horse. The high point of Crazy Horse's career was his defeat of Gen. Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Most interesting was his struggle to retain some autonomy while being coerced into the reservation by the U.S. Army aided by enlisted Indian scouts some of whom had been former friends.
I found it interesting that the Indians were sophisticated enough to aid their oppressors for expediency's sake and to jockey for power among themselves much as we see today in western governments.
Because of the book's length and level of detail, I don't think I'd have finished it had it not been for my interest in the subject.
I found it interesting that the Indians were sophisticated enough to aid their oppressors for expediency's sake and to jockey for power among themselves much as we see today in western governments.
Because of the book's length and level of detail, I don't think I'd have finished it had it not been for my interest in the subject.
February 19, 2014
A superb blend of well-researched primary accounts and critical analysis, this work attends to the necessary nuances for understanding, as much as possible, the enigmatic life and tragic death of the Lakota warrior.
April 13, 2009
I appreciated the author's attempt to present the very different world views of Crazy Horse and the European invaders. It felt very even-handed
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January 11, 2010Loved this book. Scholarly, honest, and moving. One of the most important and understated periods in American history, IMHO.
May 6, 2013
This book is mostly a tedious listing of troop movements. Also, it's poorly written.
April 20, 2015
An unnecessarily long slog.
July 25, 2019
This is an exhaustive audible telling of the life and death of Crazy Horse. I was impressed with the spirituality of this native and reflect on similarities to such as Dame Julian of Norwich and "The Cloud of Unknowing" in Christian meditation and mysticism.
I understand that George Armstrong Custer graduated at the very bottom of his West Point military class and was unimpressed with his assignment to harass noncombatant women, children and elderly prior to Crazy Horse defending those Lakota kinsmen and the ignominious results at The Battle of Little Bighorn!
This further is an explosive telling of the total defrauding of these natives and the only consistency in the governmental and military dealings with them is in the total INCONSISTENCY! I was appalled with the audacity of the military intent to use the natives who had consented to deal only peaceably and were drafted to again take up weapons and contribute to the defeat of the Nez Perce tribe who were fleeing from total mistreatment from the West!
The betrayal of the "interpreter" Frank Grouard who obviously had his own agenda in intercommunicating the final intent of Crazy Horse in his dealings with the military certainly lead to the damning arrest and intended incarceration is certainly atrocious!
Also, I was amazed that Crazy Horse survived being shot in the face and recovering without the benefit of our contemporary medical treatment!
I understand that George Armstrong Custer graduated at the very bottom of his West Point military class and was unimpressed with his assignment to harass noncombatant women, children and elderly prior to Crazy Horse defending those Lakota kinsmen and the ignominious results at The Battle of Little Bighorn!
This further is an explosive telling of the total defrauding of these natives and the only consistency in the governmental and military dealings with them is in the total INCONSISTENCY! I was appalled with the audacity of the military intent to use the natives who had consented to deal only peaceably and were drafted to again take up weapons and contribute to the defeat of the Nez Perce tribe who were fleeing from total mistreatment from the West!
The betrayal of the "interpreter" Frank Grouard who obviously had his own agenda in intercommunicating the final intent of Crazy Horse in his dealings with the military certainly lead to the damning arrest and intended incarceration is certainly atrocious!
Also, I was amazed that Crazy Horse survived being shot in the face and recovering without the benefit of our contemporary medical treatment!
April 4, 2019
Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the narrator, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
I love to learn about historical figures / events that were not taught in school. But I avoid typical documentaries as they tend to lose my interest sooner or later. I prefer historical event books written somewhat like a thriller. Killer of the flower moon was first such book that I had read and I was hooked to the genre. Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life falls under similar category.
This book provided me extensive details of the lives of Crazy Horse and other people of that era. All myths and legends surrounding him are explored and the real picture is presented in an intriguing way. It was a learning experience.
What I disliked about the book -
The book was somewhat too long, clocking in at ~26 hours.
Narration -
Narration by John Burlinson was a good match for the content. It kept me immersed in the story and didn't distract me from it.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the narrator, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
I love to learn about historical figures / events that were not taught in school. But I avoid typical documentaries as they tend to lose my interest sooner or later. I prefer historical event books written somewhat like a thriller. Killer of the flower moon was first such book that I had read and I was hooked to the genre. Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life falls under similar category.
This book provided me extensive details of the lives of Crazy Horse and other people of that era. All myths and legends surrounding him are explored and the real picture is presented in an intriguing way. It was a learning experience.
What I disliked about the book -
The book was somewhat too long, clocking in at ~26 hours.
Narration -
Narration by John Burlinson was a good match for the content. It kept me immersed in the story and didn't distract me from it.
August 15, 2020
The book is very well-written (some editing errors, like "April 31st"?), but extremely detailed, so it is somewhat mind-numbing to read.
Crazy Horse was a charismatic war chief and spiritual leader, and he led the charge against Custer in his famous Last Stand. He had many followers for some time, but eventually became isolated due to immense pressures from the US Government, including President Grant, to leave "his country" and move onto a reservation selected by the government.
Crazy Horse was considered to be uncontrollable by his enemies, someone who "didn't listen." He was captured and about to be imprisoned, when he was stabbed twice with a soldier's bayonet outside the guardhouse, and died several hours later.
The book has many details about Lakota culture and spiritual practices. A very thoughtful read.
Crazy Horse was a charismatic war chief and spiritual leader, and he led the charge against Custer in his famous Last Stand. He had many followers for some time, but eventually became isolated due to immense pressures from the US Government, including President Grant, to leave "his country" and move onto a reservation selected by the government.
Crazy Horse was considered to be uncontrollable by his enemies, someone who "didn't listen." He was captured and about to be imprisoned, when he was stabbed twice with a soldier's bayonet outside the guardhouse, and died several hours later.
The book has many details about Lakota culture and spiritual practices. A very thoughtful read.
July 16, 2021
The book covers Crazy Horse's life from cradle to the grave. What surprised me is how complex Native American society and relationships were. White men thought the Indians were a bunch of savages but learned too late that they were very capable people, especially George A. Custer who found out they really were good strategists and tacticians, the hard way. It also showed that their society suffered from the same problems that white man's society did, jealousy and resentment which ultimately led to Crazy Horse's undoing. The book really shows that Crazy Horse was not some "Rambo" style Indian warrior but a very generous, humble and pious man who was earnestly trying to save his nations homeland and way of life. Well worth the read if you want to understand about the demise of the plains Indians.
January 21, 2020
Who labeled this “the definitive biography” of Crazy Horse? A quick Google search brings up no reviews in Kirkus or major newspapers. Another white man writes a book using mainly white man sources and in the process disparages Mari Sandoz and John G Neihardt (see p. 277 “her portrait of a Lakota Christ”—that sure wasn’t my takeaway from Sandoz). My personal favorite is the footnote on p. 402 about George Eastman: Eastman’s work is cloyed by a sentimental boy-scout reading of Lakota culture, but he was a full-blood Dakota.
Don’t waste your time reading this arrogant Englishman.
Don’t waste your time reading this arrogant Englishman.
June 27, 2021
This is the 7th book i have read about the life of Crazy Horse. Amazing how Kingsley M. Bray arranged all the little details from plenty sources and different angles in one book. I can highly recommend to read this. Not only as a piece of history but in memory and deepest respect of a remarkable human beeing suffering from the changes of its surroundings.
September 30, 2024
I have been an admirer of Crazy Horse since a child. This book was refreshing because the legend was retained but also the human was revealed as well. The man had many flaws which , if anything, heightened his accomplishments. The politics and intrigues, white and red, as well as his own blunders and intransigence that led to his early and violent death were equal parts fascinating and tragic.
April 13, 2020
This is probably the most comprehensive work on the life of Crazy Horse. The author goes through great pains to avoid the mythic Crazy Horse and instead presents as much fact as can be deciphered from this larger-than-life yet shadowy and aloof legend.
January 18, 2025
Very dense and detailed, took me a long time to get through with a newborn at home. All the detail provided a good sense of what life was like for Crazy Horse and his people, but I also felt like certain sections were way longer than they needed to be.
May 9, 2019
This book goes into great detail about the life of Crazy Horse. Fascinating and full of action and drama.
September 25, 2024
Extremely in depth, absolutely love it, really grateful the author went that extra mile. Physical copy of the book includes images you might miss with the audiobook
March 3, 2019
Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life
: Kingsley M. Bray
A very good biograpy of Crazy Horse. There are many facts that I learned. As someone that spent the first eleven years of life in northeastern Wyoming, anything to do with Native American life is of interest to me. Thank you for filling that need.
The narration was well done. John Burlinson gave voice to this book.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
: Kingsley M. Bray
A very good biograpy of Crazy Horse. There are many facts that I learned. As someone that spent the first eleven years of life in northeastern Wyoming, anything to do with Native American life is of interest to me. Thank you for filling that need.
The narration was well done. John Burlinson gave voice to this book.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews