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The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation
A magisterial dual biography of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, the two most legendary and consequential American Indian leaders, who triumphed at the Battle of Little Bighorn and led Sioux resistance in the fierce final chapter of the Indian Wars, from the bestselling author of Rough Riders and Shot All to Hell.
Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull: Their names are iconic, their significance in American history undeniable. Together, these two Lakota chiefs, one a fabled warrior and the other a revered holy man, crushed George Armstrong Custer's vaunted Seventh Cavalry at the Little Big Horn. Yet Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, arguably the most famous American Indians to ever live, have never had their full stories told in one book.
Both Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull were born and grew to manhood on the high plains of the American West, in an era when vast herds of buffalo covered the earth, and when their nomadic people could move freely, following the buffalo and lording their fighting prowess over rival tribes. But as idyllic as this life seemed to be, neither man had known a time without whites, whether it was the early fur traders or government explorers. As time went on, the number of white intruders onto Sioux land began to grow dramatically: Oregon-California Trail travelers, gold seekers, railroad men, settlers, town builders--and Bluecoats. The buffalo population crashed, disease spread by the white man decimated villages, and conflicts with the white interlopers increased.
On June 25, 1876, in the valley of the Little Big Horn, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, and the warriors who were inspired to follow them, fought the last stand of the Sioux, a fierce and proud nation that had ruled the Great Plains for decades. It was their greatest victory, but it was also the beginning of the end for their treasured and sacred way of life. And in the years to come, both Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, defiant to the end, would meet tragic--and eerily similar--fates.
An essential new addition to the canon of Indigenous American history and literature of the West, The Earth Is All That Lasts is a grand saga, both triumphant and tragic, of two fascinating and heroic leaders struggling to maintain the freedom of their people against impossible odds.
Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull: Their names are iconic, their significance in American history undeniable. Together, these two Lakota chiefs, one a fabled warrior and the other a revered holy man, crushed George Armstrong Custer's vaunted Seventh Cavalry at the Little Big Horn. Yet Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, arguably the most famous American Indians to ever live, have never had their full stories told in one book.
Both Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull were born and grew to manhood on the high plains of the American West, in an era when vast herds of buffalo covered the earth, and when their nomadic people could move freely, following the buffalo and lording their fighting prowess over rival tribes. But as idyllic as this life seemed to be, neither man had known a time without whites, whether it was the early fur traders or government explorers. As time went on, the number of white intruders onto Sioux land began to grow dramatically: Oregon-California Trail travelers, gold seekers, railroad men, settlers, town builders--and Bluecoats. The buffalo population crashed, disease spread by the white man decimated villages, and conflicts with the white interlopers increased.
On June 25, 1876, in the valley of the Little Big Horn, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, and the warriors who were inspired to follow them, fought the last stand of the Sioux, a fierce and proud nation that had ruled the Great Plains for decades. It was their greatest victory, but it was also the beginning of the end for their treasured and sacred way of life. And in the years to come, both Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, defiant to the end, would meet tragic--and eerily similar--fates.
An essential new addition to the canon of Indigenous American history and literature of the West, The Earth Is All That Lasts is a grand saga, both triumphant and tragic, of two fascinating and heroic leaders struggling to maintain the freedom of their people against impossible odds.
560 pages, Hardcover
First published June 21, 2022
194 people are currently reading
1543 people want to read
About the author
Mark Lee Gardner
24 books156 followersMark Lee Gardner grew up in rural Missouri in the small town of Breckenridge (pop. 500), in the heart of historic Jesse James country. He's written extensively about the American West, on subjects such as the Santa Fe Trail, George Armstrong Custer, Bent's Old Fort, Geronimo, Billy the Kid, and Crazy Horse. His book on the 1876 Northfield raid by the notorious James-Younger gang, Shot All To Hell, received the Western Writers of America Spur Award for best western nonfiction historical book, the Best Book Award from the Wild West History Association, and the Milton F. Perry Award for Best Nonfiction Book. His Rough Riders, published in 2016, received the Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award, the Father Thomas J. Steele Award for History, and the Colorado Book Award for Biography.
Mark's most recent book is The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation (Mariner Books). Mark spent five years researching and writing this dual biography, examining rare documents and artifacts in archives and museums across the country, from Chicago's Newberry Library to Cody's Buffalo Bill Center of the West. And he visited numerous historic sites all over the northern plains, even crossing the "holy line" into Canada, where Sitting Bull and his followers spent four years in exile.
True West magazine proclaimed The Earth Is All That Lasts the "Best Historical Nonfiction Book" of 2022. The book also won the 2023 Colorado Book Award for best history/biography and the 2023 John M. Carroll Literary Award from the Little Big Horn Associates.
In addition to his historical research and writing, Mark is also a performer of the historic music of the American West. His most recent CD is Outlaws: Songs of Robbers, Rustlers, and Rogues.
Mark's passions include rare books and ephemera; historic photography; old-time, bluegrass, and classic country music; and hunting, mainly calling up gobblers in the spring.
Mark is the 2024 recipient of the Frank Waters Award for Literary Excellence. He holds a master's degree in American Studies from the University of Wyoming and a bachelor's degree in history and journalism (double major) from Northwest Missouri State University. He's married with two children and lives with his family at the foot of majestic Pikes Peak.
Follow Mark on Instagram: mark_lee_gardner
Mark's most recent book is The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation (Mariner Books). Mark spent five years researching and writing this dual biography, examining rare documents and artifacts in archives and museums across the country, from Chicago's Newberry Library to Cody's Buffalo Bill Center of the West. And he visited numerous historic sites all over the northern plains, even crossing the "holy line" into Canada, where Sitting Bull and his followers spent four years in exile.
True West magazine proclaimed The Earth Is All That Lasts the "Best Historical Nonfiction Book" of 2022. The book also won the 2023 Colorado Book Award for best history/biography and the 2023 John M. Carroll Literary Award from the Little Big Horn Associates.
In addition to his historical research and writing, Mark is also a performer of the historic music of the American West. His most recent CD is Outlaws: Songs of Robbers, Rustlers, and Rogues.
Mark's passions include rare books and ephemera; historic photography; old-time, bluegrass, and classic country music; and hunting, mainly calling up gobblers in the spring.
Mark is the 2024 recipient of the Frank Waters Award for Literary Excellence. He holds a master's degree in American Studies from the University of Wyoming and a bachelor's degree in history and journalism (double major) from Northwest Missouri State University. He's married with two children and lives with his family at the foot of majestic Pikes Peak.
Follow Mark on Instagram: mark_lee_gardner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
February 26, 2026
The Earth Is All That Lasts is exactly my kind of Western history book — one told from the perspective of the Sioux rather than the conquerors. Mark Lee Gardner delivers a gripping dual biography of Sitting Bull, the spiritual and political heart of his people, and Crazy Horse, the nearly mythical warrior whose courage and battlefield brilliance became legendary. Together, their stories form a moving portrait of a culture fighting for survival.
This was a powerful read — and at times, a difficult one. Gardner does not soften the brutal reality of how the Sioux were treated. The displacement, broken promises, and systematic destruction of Native life are presented with honesty and clarity. There were moments I had to slow down and sit with the injustice, but that discomfort is part of what makes this book so important.
One of the highlights is the outstanding account of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Gardner captures both the strategy and the human stakes of the conflict, showing why it became such a symbolic victory for Native resistance — even though it ultimately provoked an overwhelming response from the U.S. Army. I also appreciated the nuanced portrayal of Custer, including his complicated ties to Native communities and the fact that he fathered a child with an Indigenous woman — a reminder that history is rarely as simple as hero versus villain.
What struck me most is the tragic inevitability that hangs over the story. The Sioux fought with extraordinary resilience and unity, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the relentless pressure of settlers, gold seekers, railroad expansion, and federal power. Gardner makes it clear: this was not just a military defeat — it was the unraveling of an entire way of life.
This book succeeds because it centers Indigenous voices, values, and leadership. Sitting Bull’s spiritual authority and Crazy Horse’s quiet intensity complement each other beautifully, offering two distinct models of leadership in a moment of existential crisis.
The Earth Is All That Lasts is not just history — it’s a reckoning. It deepened my understanding of the American West and reminded me that the land, culture, and people who first called it home deserve to be remembered with honesty and respect. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a fuller, truer version of this chapter of American history. I can’t wait to check out some of his other books!!!
This was a powerful read — and at times, a difficult one. Gardner does not soften the brutal reality of how the Sioux were treated. The displacement, broken promises, and systematic destruction of Native life are presented with honesty and clarity. There were moments I had to slow down and sit with the injustice, but that discomfort is part of what makes this book so important.
One of the highlights is the outstanding account of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Gardner captures both the strategy and the human stakes of the conflict, showing why it became such a symbolic victory for Native resistance — even though it ultimately provoked an overwhelming response from the U.S. Army. I also appreciated the nuanced portrayal of Custer, including his complicated ties to Native communities and the fact that he fathered a child with an Indigenous woman — a reminder that history is rarely as simple as hero versus villain.
What struck me most is the tragic inevitability that hangs over the story. The Sioux fought with extraordinary resilience and unity, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the relentless pressure of settlers, gold seekers, railroad expansion, and federal power. Gardner makes it clear: this was not just a military defeat — it was the unraveling of an entire way of life.
This book succeeds because it centers Indigenous voices, values, and leadership. Sitting Bull’s spiritual authority and Crazy Horse’s quiet intensity complement each other beautifully, offering two distinct models of leadership in a moment of existential crisis.
The Earth Is All That Lasts is not just history — it’s a reckoning. It deepened my understanding of the American West and reminded me that the land, culture, and people who first called it home deserve to be remembered with honesty and respect. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a fuller, truer version of this chapter of American history. I can’t wait to check out some of his other books!!!
July 12, 2022
I have read lots of books about this era but this one puts together a lot of those stories into a dual biography of two famous Americans. It's not always comfortable reading because white settlers stole not only the land of the indigenous people but massacred and desecrated sacred lands. Don't miss this one if you have an interest in our early history. An epilogue provides answers to many questions about what happened to main characters in the story. There's also a list of American Indian Informants and extensive notes at the end.
May 18, 2023
Reads like a novel.
August 8, 2022
Like all books about war, the sheer volume of battle & violence being chronicled tends to send my eyes into the back of my head from the sheer, overwhelming intensity and detail. But there is no denying this is a detailed, rich & damning account in the long chapter of crimes committed against the aboriginal population of North America. The American treatment of Lakota and Cheyenne is genocide featuring breathtaking levels of duplicity and cunning, and lays bare the naked racism and avarice of the Manifest Destiny brigade.
August 22, 2022
Reads like a great fiction but is real.
July 4, 2022
In preparation for a momentous trip out west to visit many of the sites involving Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull I read as many books as possible on the subject. This book was a surprise review copy I got just before departing Florida. It is fitting I finished reading it just as I was about to exit South Dakota and head for the wooded plains of Minnesota and northern Michigan for personal reasons. On this trip with my wife of almost forty years we visited, in conjunction with my Lakota Sioux study, the states of Nebraska and South Dakota including points of interest that numbered Fort Robinson, The Black Hills, Wounded Knee, and The Badlands. I have written quite extensively in my blog about the pertinent places pertaining to these men. As I write this review from my trailer parked in the Left Trailrace Campground in Fort Thompson I still feel pangs of sadness and shame associated with our side trip to Wounded Knee, the very last place we visited associated with this book. Please read the rest of my review here:
https://rogueliterarysociety.com/f/th...
https://rogueliterarysociety.com/f/th...
January 9, 2023
Truly one of my FAVORITE books of all time. It's rare in my experience to read a book that is ~ 400 pages (the notes inflate the total count) and never loses momentum. I find that in historical biographies, the first part of the book is often a drag. This is generally because the beginning of a person's life, although important, is usually not why we are reading a book about them. In this case, the author does a tremendous job latching the reader onto the beginning of the lives of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
This book is full of information, I have more things underlined and more tabs on it than maybe any of my other books (rivaled only by Adam Schiff's "Midnight in Washington"). I give extra kudos to the author for the research put into this book. In my own graduate school experiences, I have found Native Americans challenging to find information on, even for modern day issues (like sex trafficking on reservations).
5/5, a great way to start what I hope is a tremendous year of books!
This book is full of information, I have more things underlined and more tabs on it than maybe any of my other books (rivaled only by Adam Schiff's "Midnight in Washington"). I give extra kudos to the author for the research put into this book. In my own graduate school experiences, I have found Native Americans challenging to find information on, even for modern day issues (like sex trafficking on reservations).
5/5, a great way to start what I hope is a tremendous year of books!
April 25, 2022
This is an excelled dual biography of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. It covers their early upbringing and the experiences that led to their names and concludes with their deaths. Neither died a peaceful death due to the prevailing cultural attitudes at the time. Contained within the biographies is a clear description of the successes and gradual decline of the Sioux Nation. This is an excellent book for those interested in learning more about the two main individuals and what happened to the Sioux.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.
March 29, 2026
Don't hang on,The written histories of my country's (mis)treatment of its native inhabitants never fails to intrigue and infuriate me.
Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky,
It slips away,
And all your money won't another minute buy.
-- Kansas, "Dust in the Wind"
This one is especially good. It tells the story of the last days of the free-roaming Lakota from the viewpoint of the Lakota themselves. It focuses especially on the lives of the greatest resistance fighters to the white conquest: Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull.
Beautifully told and filled with details I had never known before (despite having read dozens of previous works on the subject), this is one of the very best.
January 23, 2026
Couldn’t really get into this one, unfortunately.
April 19, 2022
My thanks to both NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced copy of this Native American biography and history.
The story of America is one of hardship, deception, self- deception, lies damned lies and omission. History is not only written by the winner, but by the group that controls the narrative, a battle that is currently taking place in our libraries, and in our media. The voice of non- whites throughout history, as been ignored or maligned, though without non- white who would have picked the cotton, or watched the children of plantation owners, built the railroads before being excluded, or in the case of the people in this book, the noble savage, whose land was stolen away. Books telling their story is the least we owe any of these groups, and having a very good writer like Mark Lee Gardner is a very good thing. The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation is a dual biography of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, warrior and mystic and their fight to keep their way of life against the inevitable.
The book begins with the many promises made by the United States Government, promises that since so many tribes had different languages and different sets of values, probably made no sense to either side that "signed" treaties. Promises lasted until people came for grazing land, or that wonderful rock that drives white men to fever gold. From there the book goes to the childhood of both men, following both as they are born, and ascend in both power and respect. Both Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were brave, not only in battle, but for what they thought was right, no matter who got was upset. They were leaders to their people in different ways, but in the end even their greatest victories would lead them and their people to a sad fate, and leave both men to die not on the plains, but in captivity.
The book is very well- written and extremely well- sourced. Sadly this does not happen in many of the history books that come out, usually written by reporters who it seems have forgotten how to source a story. If something is written in this book, there is a note telling you where it was from. If two stories contradict each other, Mr. Garndner will print both, and explain in the notes. The writing in powerful, and draining in some places, the reader knows how the story ends for both men and their people, and yet the reader hopes and hopes that somehow it will be different. The general history and the history of the tribes is well done, and very informative.
Highly recommended for history buffs and people who don't want to forget the stories of the people who truly make up the fabric of America. A very good book that will be a great gift for Father's day or for a library or two just to make sure people can read them. There are no heroes in this book, everyone well mostly everyone did horrible things in the name of their people, but this is still an important tale that needs to be told.
The story of America is one of hardship, deception, self- deception, lies damned lies and omission. History is not only written by the winner, but by the group that controls the narrative, a battle that is currently taking place in our libraries, and in our media. The voice of non- whites throughout history, as been ignored or maligned, though without non- white who would have picked the cotton, or watched the children of plantation owners, built the railroads before being excluded, or in the case of the people in this book, the noble savage, whose land was stolen away. Books telling their story is the least we owe any of these groups, and having a very good writer like Mark Lee Gardner is a very good thing. The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation is a dual biography of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, warrior and mystic and their fight to keep their way of life against the inevitable.
The book begins with the many promises made by the United States Government, promises that since so many tribes had different languages and different sets of values, probably made no sense to either side that "signed" treaties. Promises lasted until people came for grazing land, or that wonderful rock that drives white men to fever gold. From there the book goes to the childhood of both men, following both as they are born, and ascend in both power and respect. Both Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were brave, not only in battle, but for what they thought was right, no matter who got was upset. They were leaders to their people in different ways, but in the end even their greatest victories would lead them and their people to a sad fate, and leave both men to die not on the plains, but in captivity.
The book is very well- written and extremely well- sourced. Sadly this does not happen in many of the history books that come out, usually written by reporters who it seems have forgotten how to source a story. If something is written in this book, there is a note telling you where it was from. If two stories contradict each other, Mr. Garndner will print both, and explain in the notes. The writing in powerful, and draining in some places, the reader knows how the story ends for both men and their people, and yet the reader hopes and hopes that somehow it will be different. The general history and the history of the tribes is well done, and very informative.
Highly recommended for history buffs and people who don't want to forget the stories of the people who truly make up the fabric of America. A very good book that will be a great gift for Father's day or for a library or two just to make sure people can read them. There are no heroes in this book, everyone well mostly everyone did horrible things in the name of their people, but this is still an important tale that needs to be told.
January 7, 2024
The author does a good job of making the Indians three dimensional characters, not portraying them as simply brute savages - while not ignoring or glossing over the savagery and brutality inherent in the various plains tribes. He builds the case for the Sioux being cornered into a savage war with the whites while pointing out that savage war with other tribes of their own kind was inherent to their culture. He does a fair job, though not as intentional, in portraying whites as similarly a mixture of opportunism and those of more humanitarian nature. Until the very last - when it comes very close to devolving into the cliched ‘ bad white man, Noble red man’
February 6, 2024
I knew I would like The Earth is All That Lasts when I found the book about Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. I had read another book (To Hell on a Fast Horse) by the author Mark Lee Gardner that I also found interesting and well written.
Our history lessons, media characterizations and perspectives need an update like this researched story.
Our history lessons, media characterizations and perspectives need an update like this researched story.
August 28, 2024
A dual biography of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, focusing more on their later lives and and eventual deaths than their early lives, as there is not much to go on there.
It is no big secret that the Native Americans have not been treated the best by the federal government at any time in their history, this book was set around the time of these two legendary chiefs and does an extremely good job of staying fair and consistent on both sides, while using Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse as the focus. There are descriptions of major battles pretty much in every chapter, with one even starting 5 pages in. He does such a good job describing these battles, you can almost see them being played out on a screen. Details can be a bit sketchy from those times with no thorough record keeping, but, you can tell that he does an amazing job with his descriptions of these legends, their families as well as their downfalls.
To a lesser extent, he also talks about the two generals (William Tecumseh Sherman and George Armstrong Custer) who were the highest profile anti- native american soldiers. Their egos and ignorance caused both of their downfalls. The best part of this book is the complete breakdown of Little Big Horn (aka Custer's Last Stand), which he breaks down completely from soup to nuts including details of what Custer's thought process and reasoning were.
These were admirable, if not flawed men, victims of bad advice and false promises from a government that use greed to bully their way into Native American lands.
B+ This is the history that needs to be taught in schools. This shows what our government is capable of doing in the name of land and money. Future generations need to be taught the truth, bells, whistles, warts and all, not the whitewashed fluff we are raised to believe. This author is really good and this is a great resource for gaining an understanding of that time.
It is no big secret that the Native Americans have not been treated the best by the federal government at any time in their history, this book was set around the time of these two legendary chiefs and does an extremely good job of staying fair and consistent on both sides, while using Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse as the focus. There are descriptions of major battles pretty much in every chapter, with one even starting 5 pages in. He does such a good job describing these battles, you can almost see them being played out on a screen. Details can be a bit sketchy from those times with no thorough record keeping, but, you can tell that he does an amazing job with his descriptions of these legends, their families as well as their downfalls.
To a lesser extent, he also talks about the two generals (William Tecumseh Sherman and George Armstrong Custer) who were the highest profile anti- native american soldiers. Their egos and ignorance caused both of their downfalls. The best part of this book is the complete breakdown of Little Big Horn (aka Custer's Last Stand), which he breaks down completely from soup to nuts including details of what Custer's thought process and reasoning were.
These were admirable, if not flawed men, victims of bad advice and false promises from a government that use greed to bully their way into Native American lands.
B+ This is the history that needs to be taught in schools. This shows what our government is capable of doing in the name of land and money. Future generations need to be taught the truth, bells, whistles, warts and all, not the whitewashed fluff we are raised to believe. This author is really good and this is a great resource for gaining an understanding of that time.
November 19, 2024
I began reading this as part of many of the books I borrowed from the library for Native American History Month. All Native Americans hold a special place in my heart and they deserve better than what they were and still are subjected to. My great grandfather was Cherokee and even though I have little of his blood I still have it and enjoy connecting to that part. Theirs was a simple life and everything they needed they had. This book went over the lives of 2 great Native American Chiefs who are well known to this day. Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Both Sioux but from different bands but still had the same idea to protect their land and their people from the government taking control.
The author did a great job piecing together all the information and I have say that both Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were both very special in their own ways and it would have been an honor to meet them but they were both cut down unnecessarily. All they wanted was peace to live with their families and people and for the white men to leave them alone, neither wanted to fight. I’ve been watching movies and reading other books to learn about both of these amazing men and what they did for their people.
And at the end of this book the author put something in there that really speaks loud and clear and that I couldn’t agree more:
“ It shouldn’t be forgotten that the immigrant people, Euro-Americans, who displaced the Plains Indians always held themselves up as civilized, as vastly superior to the Lakota and other native tribes. And yet there was nothing civilized in the way the U.S. government, its Indian Agents, and its citizens lied to and stole from the Lakotas. There was nothing civilized in the way the U.S. Army attacked Indian villages, killing and maiming women and children. There was nothing civilized in the deaths of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull.”
True to the end. They deserved so much better and their descendants alive today from all tribes deserve better.
The author did a great job piecing together all the information and I have say that both Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were both very special in their own ways and it would have been an honor to meet them but they were both cut down unnecessarily. All they wanted was peace to live with their families and people and for the white men to leave them alone, neither wanted to fight. I’ve been watching movies and reading other books to learn about both of these amazing men and what they did for their people.
And at the end of this book the author put something in there that really speaks loud and clear and that I couldn’t agree more:
“ It shouldn’t be forgotten that the immigrant people, Euro-Americans, who displaced the Plains Indians always held themselves up as civilized, as vastly superior to the Lakota and other native tribes. And yet there was nothing civilized in the way the U.S. government, its Indian Agents, and its citizens lied to and stole from the Lakotas. There was nothing civilized in the way the U.S. Army attacked Indian villages, killing and maiming women and children. There was nothing civilized in the deaths of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull.”
True to the end. They deserved so much better and their descendants alive today from all tribes deserve better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2023
This book tells the history of the struggle of the Plains Indian tribes to save their home area and way of life. The narrative informs the reader of the culture of the Indians and their religious beliefs and societal structure.
The book details how the Native Americans dealt with white encroachment on their lands and way of life. Conflict was forced on them as whites wanted more of their land and resources. We get biographies of the two main leaders of Indian resistance, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. The author traces their lives as they develop into their leadership roles.
The author follows the trail of broken treaties and promises that led to resistance and war. We learn of the alliances formed by the various tribes to resist white encroachment. The struggle was settled by the total war philosophy of the army as they destroy villages,burn possessions and confiscate food supplies. The army fought winter campaigns when the tribes were most vulnerable.
After the Indians were forced onto reservations,they were still victimized by whites who shorted the promised food and supplies and took more of the reservation lands.
We learn of the tribal politics that led to the murders of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull.This book has a good chance of being banned in school and public libraries as it casts a bad image on white American treatment of Indigenous populations.
The book details how the Native Americans dealt with white encroachment on their lands and way of life. Conflict was forced on them as whites wanted more of their land and resources. We get biographies of the two main leaders of Indian resistance, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. The author traces their lives as they develop into their leadership roles.
The author follows the trail of broken treaties and promises that led to resistance and war. We learn of the alliances formed by the various tribes to resist white encroachment. The struggle was settled by the total war philosophy of the army as they destroy villages,burn possessions and confiscate food supplies. The army fought winter campaigns when the tribes were most vulnerable.
After the Indians were forced onto reservations,they were still victimized by whites who shorted the promised food and supplies and took more of the reservation lands.
We learn of the tribal politics that led to the murders of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull.This book has a good chance of being banned in school and public libraries as it casts a bad image on white American treatment of Indigenous populations.
March 8, 2026
"The Earth Is All That Lasts" by Mark Lee Gardner is a dual biography of Lakota leaders Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, documenting their fight against U.S. expansion in the 1870s. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull: Their names are iconic, their significance in American history undeniable. It chronicles their lives, leadership styles. It highlights their refusal to sign treaties and their efforts to protect their land and culture from white settlers, miners, and the U.S. Army.
This book was definitely written with a Native slant to it. By the way, that is not a complaint. I like the overall point of view, being taken from the legendary and probably best-know chiefs of the Lakota people of the 19th century, Sitting Bull. The points of view being taken with these two warriors is generalized in this work, with dramatic emphasis being given to the Native point-of-view. As with all historical events that were not well-documented on both sides, the slant here is a very pro-native re-telling of events mostly held in oral history that are well documented by many authors. Gardner has taken these oral histories and vast amount of material and condenses it into an easy to read, free flowing journey of the two titled individuals, two leaders who refused to sign away their lands in treaties that would only be broken. Definitely a great read and highly recommend!
This book was definitely written with a Native slant to it. By the way, that is not a complaint. I like the overall point of view, being taken from the legendary and probably best-know chiefs of the Lakota people of the 19th century, Sitting Bull. The points of view being taken with these two warriors is generalized in this work, with dramatic emphasis being given to the Native point-of-view. As with all historical events that were not well-documented on both sides, the slant here is a very pro-native re-telling of events mostly held in oral history that are well documented by many authors. Gardner has taken these oral histories and vast amount of material and condenses it into an easy to read, free flowing journey of the two titled individuals, two leaders who refused to sign away their lands in treaties that would only be broken. Definitely a great read and highly recommend!
September 21, 2022
If you are not particularly interested in American History, this book may be a good place for you to begin. It is not only a duel-biography of two leading historical figures - Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. but tells the whole story of the settling of the plains or the largest land grab in American history. Mark Gardner has done a superb job in bringing these two men to life using interviews of the people who knew them and lived during their time. Sitting Bull and Crazay HOrse eft no journals, letters or diaries. Sitting Bull did leave some pictographs. Of the many telling's of the Battle of Little Big Horn, I found Gardner's the most comprehensive and understanding that I have read. He tells the tragic story of the settling of the plains from the Indians point of view, using facts from the US Government to prove the lies and calumny perpetrated on the Indians who lacked any understanding or hope of help in understanding of what were in the treaties that were illegally signed. No wonder they won their suit to regain the Black Hills once they had their day in court with competent legal representation. Gardner is an excellent writer and produced an extremely readable account of the lives of these two men.
February 22, 2026
As an Irish reader, I found myself deeply moved by Mark Lee Gardner’s The Earth Is All That Lasts.
Gardner does more than just recount the history of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse; he breathes life into their world with a prose style that is both atmospheric and visceral.
What struck me most was the profound respect and reverence Gardner shows for the spiritual endurance of the Native American people. His descriptions of the sacred landscapes—from the heights of Bear Butte to the banks of the Little Bighorn—are so picturesque that they feel immediate and real. This book bridged a gap for me, linking a shared history of land and spirit in a way I didn't think possible.
It is rare to find a historical biography that feels this dignified and deeply personal. Whether you are a student of the American West or simply someone seeking a story of immense courage and spiritual strength, this book is essential. It has inspired my own journey to one day stand on these sacred grounds. A truly unforgettable read.
Gardner does more than just recount the history of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse; he breathes life into their world with a prose style that is both atmospheric and visceral.
What struck me most was the profound respect and reverence Gardner shows for the spiritual endurance of the Native American people. His descriptions of the sacred landscapes—from the heights of Bear Butte to the banks of the Little Bighorn—are so picturesque that they feel immediate and real. This book bridged a gap for me, linking a shared history of land and spirit in a way I didn't think possible.
It is rare to find a historical biography that feels this dignified and deeply personal. Whether you are a student of the American West or simply someone seeking a story of immense courage and spiritual strength, this book is essential. It has inspired my own journey to one day stand on these sacred grounds. A truly unforgettable read.
August 31, 2022
This work attempts to reveal the lives of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, two key Native American leaders in the final days of the Indian Wars. They did what thy could to Mai town their respective tribe’s culture while dealing with the every growing power of the (mainly) White Americans. After the slaughter at Little Big Horn, they both became significant enemies, and while Crazy Horse would not live much past that battle, Sitting Bull survived captivity until his murder before the last massacre at Wounded Knee.
This is an interesting dual bio, in that the author really tries to go into tribal sources and not just the “official” accounts. He will refer to key Americans by the designations that the tribes gave them, as well as their regular names.
Much to gain from this work, and worth the read.
This is an interesting dual bio, in that the author really tries to go into tribal sources and not just the “official” accounts. He will refer to key Americans by the designations that the tribes gave them, as well as their regular names.
Much to gain from this work, and worth the read.
Read
January 6, 2023This book focuses on the Sioux nation in the era of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. America does not come off well.
Someone stole my copy of The Last Days of the Sioux Nation, which my father bought for me in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was a region of North America that affected my father powerfully and he returned to many times.
I spent the past month reading this alternate selection about the same era in American and Canadian history.
This book fleshes out more fully the briefer chapters in 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee' - describing the lives of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull as Sioux warriors and chief. It provides more anthropological insight into life and spirituality as a plains Sioux in the 1800s as well as much more focus and detail on the Sioux battle to protect its way of life against the encroaching American border.
Someone stole my copy of The Last Days of the Sioux Nation, which my father bought for me in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was a region of North America that affected my father powerfully and he returned to many times.
I spent the past month reading this alternate selection about the same era in American and Canadian history.
This book fleshes out more fully the briefer chapters in 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee' - describing the lives of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull as Sioux warriors and chief. It provides more anthropological insight into life and spirituality as a plains Sioux in the 1800s as well as much more focus and detail on the Sioux battle to protect its way of life against the encroaching American border.
September 7, 2022
Mark Lee Gardner's dual biography of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull is as real as it gets. This is the true tale of these great warrior-chiefs, told in a way that brings them to life in the most unflinchingly honest way. Mr. Gardner's research was remarkable and well documented, and he somehow manages to weave the rise and fall of the entire Sioux Nation into the story of his two main subjects. There is no myth-making or sentimental romanticizing here, only the incredibly sad, inspiring, and thought-provoking truth of this tragic clash of cultures. Thankfully Mr. Gardner has done his part to preserve the memory of two incredible human beings who fought to their last breath, against overwhelming odds, to try and preserve a doomed way of life. Well done, sir.
November 19, 2024
One of my favorite genres is Historical Non-fiction, such as this book. I find it fascinating to learn deep into Native American history and the terror they endured by the White man. This great read takes you back into the lives of the lives of Chief Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and many others. Also of the many battles and the killing of Custer and other so-called war heroes, yuck!
Still to this day, I feel great sadness for all tribal nations of this country and how their land was stolen. America will forever be the natives land and they are owed so much.
This author is very thorough in his tellings and did a lot of historical research in writing this book and others that won awards. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn the history.
Still to this day, I feel great sadness for all tribal nations of this country and how their land was stolen. America will forever be the natives land and they are owed so much.
This author is very thorough in his tellings and did a lot of historical research in writing this book and others that won awards. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn the history.
December 30, 2022
I’ve read many stories about the rape of our native Americans. This one has been a very good history of two major Indian leaders. While I have no sympathy for the brutal actions the natives took, I can’t say I blame them a bit. We, (whites) screwed over them time after time. We,(whites) are responsible for the killing and violence perpetrated by the natives. We invaded their country and expected them to fold and accept our terms. Shameful on our part. We have a violent history and I don’t have any doubts about it continuing. We have a violent society
Georgejohansen
Georgejohansen
March 4, 2024
Excellent dual biography of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse is also a history of the Sioux Nation's courageous war to save their land and their way of life from an avaricious and duplicitous US government. Although I know the story well, I'm still appalled by the arrogance, bad faith and cynicism that marked our relations not just with the Sioux but with pretty much all the indigenous tribes.
Gardner writes almost entirely from the Native American point of view which makes these two remarkable men's story and that of their people all the more compelling and tragic.
Gardner writes almost entirely from the Native American point of view which makes these two remarkable men's story and that of their people all the more compelling and tragic.
March 14, 2025
This book confirms what we have already been taught, that we mistreated the Native Americans horribly. I was intrigued by the details of the bogus contracts we made with the Native Americans and their understanding, or lack thereof, when they signed the contracts. I was very interested in the thinking of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse as they tried to save their lands. These chiefs were very intelligent and thoughtful men who normally didn't act rashly. I didn't know how they died so that was new information for me.
September 21, 2022
Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse are arguably two of the most recognized Native leaders in our county's history. While each had unique personalities, both were strong leaders and led their people through turbulent times and met similar fates.
This is a well-written and thoroughly- researched book. It is written in a storybook fashion and I think those casually interested in the subject matter will find it interesting and easy to follow.
This is a well-written and thoroughly- researched book. It is written in a storybook fashion and I think those casually interested in the subject matter will find it interesting and easy to follow.
October 19, 2022
The Earth Is All That Lasts is a wonderful and insightful book into the lives and deaths of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. I was impressed with Mr. Gardner’s research and rich detail of the history and storytelling. The brutality on both sides of the U.S. government and the Indians is such a tragedy. This book opened my teary eyes to how so much was lost for all involved. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the lives of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull and their people.
Hóka Hé!
Hóka Hé!
December 6, 2022
A moving complex story of men of great importance that are written as complex strong figures who have been ignored by some in history. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull are those men who among others bring the story of struggle and war to the pages of a great book by an author who took the time and gives the author what they need and leaves them interested to perhaps explore such characters in book or other forms to learn more. a book I can certainly recommend.
December 30, 2022
A very well researched and written book. This is basically a biography of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. The book covers their lives and the Plains Indian Wars very well. Gardner also does a good job of wrapping things up after both Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse are gone. If you are looking for a book on the Battle of the Little Big Horn this is not it, but it is a great biography about two great leaders of the Lakota Nation.
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