Warpath;: The true story of the fighting Sioux told in a biography of Chief White Bull

by Stanley Vestal

In 1932 White Bull (identified as the warrior who killed Custer) related his life story to Vestal, who corroborated the details from other sources and prepared this biography. The manuscript was then double-checked by White Bull. "All that I told him is straight and true," said White Bull.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Native American

285 pages, Unknown Binding

First published June 1, 1984

About the author

Walter Stanley Vestal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley...

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, but the narrator got in the way too frequently. I prefer verbatim memoirs like those of Yellow Wolf, Two Leggings, and Plenty Coups.

[John Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative read. Provided good insight of the plains Indian culture and the importance for a man to prove himself in battle. Counting coup, stealing horses and killing enemies were portrayed as a necessary rite of passage if a Sioux man was to have honor and good standing in the tribe. Conversely, I was somewhat surprised to learn that Indian wives were treated like chattel. Fidelity and monogamy, at least for White Bull, were values not readily subscribed to. White Bull had 15 wives over the course of his life. Still, it appeared the Sioux family structure was strong. Would recommend this book to anyone wanting a good historical reference dealing with plains Indian warfare and culture.

[John Kimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone with a slight interest in the history of the American West should read this book. A perspective from an overlooked Sioux chief that brings to light the way Tribes of the Plains went to war.

[Hugh Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a puzzling book. I would love to hear what professional historians of Native American history think.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first-hand recounts of the Little Bighorn battle were fascinating; White Bull's narrative of the fight from a Sioux/Cheyenne perspective added small details I had not know before now. For instance White Bull was fighting along side Crazy Horse and he asked him if he was going to lead a small charge into on of the enemy positions. When Crazy Horse said no, White Bull replied "Then I will!" and took off on his pony at a callop.

[Jeremy H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whitebull- my online ego- comes from this book....