Sitting Bull: His Life and Legacy

by Ernie LaPointe

Ernie LaPointe is the great -grandson of the famous Hunkpapa Lakota chief, and he presents the family tales and memories told to him about his great-grandfather. In many ways the oral history differs from what has become the standard and widely accepted biography of Sitting Bull. LaPointe explains the discrepancies, how they occurred, and why he wants to tell his story of Tatanka Iyotake.

Ernie LaPointe, a great-grandson of Sitting Bull, was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He is a Sundancer and lives the traditional way of the Lakota and follows the rules of the sacred pipe. He lives in South Dakota.

The only book on Sitting Bull written by a lineal descendant

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

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Danielle Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit difficult to follow at times not having any previous knowledge about Sitting Bull. I think it would be best for someone who already has a baseline knowledge. This was a quick read so very easy to get through. I would have enjoyed a bit more stories in his life and maybe that would have helped orient myself in the story a bit more but it also may have had me more confused at times and stuck in the middle of a 300 page book. The main things I felt lost over were keeping track of how many people were referenced within a chapter. And that changing chapter to chapter. It had more of a textbook feel up until the last 30 pages, then it felt more like a celebrity memoir, explaining their side/perspective on the family’s betrayal. This isn’t a book I’d recommend to everyone but is definitely worth the read if you’re looking for some non fiction/Sitting Bull’s family perspective on events.

[Aria Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I've been letting this one sit for the last few days, deciding what made me want to read a nonfiction book on vacation, since I usually don't read nonfiction, let alone while on a break. And I think it just comes down to the fact that the book is very palatable.

After all, why do I usally flock to fictitious books instead of biographies? The biography could theoretically have more interesting content because I know its all true, but it is usually presented in a less interesting way.

But with this book, it was short, being just over 120 pages of actual content. And the chapters were short to, around four pages each. It was able to go through Sitting Bull's life in a fast paced way.

But that's not the only thing. Ernie wrote it as if he was talking to me, telling about his family. Not once did a hear a statistic in it. And you think that would be disappointeding, considering the nonfiction nature, but it was as if he turned a nonfiction book into fiction, which is what made it so palatable.

So because of that, I'm giving it 5 stars. It kept my attention, ultimately being the first nonfiction peice that kept me up late in the night, telling myself I would just read just...
one...
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[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very informative read of Sitting Bull, his life and legacy and I am very happy to know that his great grandson was able to tell his story. I hope that Mr LaPointe has all his hopes with his famous ancestor fulfilled.

[Dillon Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buddy read with Danielle. This was an interesting look at Sitting Bull’s life from a unique perspective. It’s obviously biased throughout in that the author presents Sitting Bull as an infallible leader, and to the extent that there are clear family dynamics at play. But I still enjoyed reading the story from Ernie’s point of view. I think a way to really improve this short book would be for the anthropologist Ernie worked with to lace a few chapters in to interpret 19th century Lakota culture for the reader. There are a lot of assumptions of base knowledge that could be fleshed out to support Ernie’s rendition of his family’s oral history.

[Kirstin Dobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
The storyline was a 5. It was both intriguing and yet simple enough to follow. I loved the feel of a written representation of an oral history. The after-story was good, too, but a 4 because it didn't flow as well. This part, I felt, tried to tell the truth and did. However, it also just got too commentary and documentary, not storylike.

[Carmen Redding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sitting Bull was just a name in my history textbook. What little I know about him and the Lakota people has come from the movies and a smattering of information in historical fiction books. So it was gratifying to have a true descendant of the “real” Sitting Bull tell his story.

I was particularly interested in the values and belief system of the Lakota and how this informed the life if it’s leader. It helped me look at history from the Native American perspective. To the Lakota a promise is a promise. Honorable men don’t break a promise or a treaty. And yet “white men” did just that over and over again.

The family is important, the tribe is important. A leader has to be willing to sacrifice himself for his family and his people. Children were precious. If a child is left without parents there is always someone in the tribe to take care of them.

Sitting Bull wants to adhere to these values, but his world was changed. While others embraced the white man’s ways, he held on to what was sacred to him. Because he would not compromise on the “Old Ways”, his people were gradually rebelled against him.

Ernie LaPointe does a great job of telling his ancestor’s story and clearing up the misconceptions about his grandfather’s character, circumstances and legacy. If you want to understand Native American history a little better. I recommend this book.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great grandson of Sitting Bull endeavored to turn Lakota oral history into a written history and to also have the truth be known about his great grandfather. A written narrative was different as many Lakota words do not translate into English. "Sitting Bull" as Tatanka Iyotake was called should have translated into Buffalo Bull Who Sits Down. A compelling history of this famous man are the essence of the oral histories told to Ernie and explain the discrepancies in his grandfather's life and how they occurred. A remarkable little book.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the personal perspective of the author, this biography feels intensely vivid. The life and death of Sitting Bull was both inspirational and uniquely sad. I recommend this book, especially since the Lakota Souix settlement of Standing Rock is a reminder that the struggle for existence of the Native Americans continues.

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here at last is the true story of Sitting Bull. Books about him with sources of men like Stanley Vestal are all false and based on fabrication. Stanley Vestal had a story to write and it didn't matter whether anything was accurate or not. When he interviewed a relative of Sitting Bull, by the name of One Bull, that man was not a direct relation and further more was the man to betray Sitting Bull. He was the direct cause of Sitting Bull and companions murders. It is a very short book, can much be revealed in such a brief book? More here is known of Sitting Bull than any numerous written accounts by learned men and women, who have followed the course of an original book of untruths. Henceforth it will be best for accuracy and honesty to read books that doesn't have the citations of Stanley Vestal or people who later on cited Stanley Vestal.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read all the books you want about Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, but if you don't include in that list accounts written by indigenous authors from the same culture, you will miss the point of their lives. Just as Joseph M. Marshall's book "The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History" reveals the origins and cultural context of this great Native American warrior, so Ernie LaPointe's book adds flesh and blood to a powerful but remote icon who symbolizes heroic resistance against the inevitable forces that brought his way of life to an end.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

not your average biography very easy read that flowed, and a truthful by a direct descendant of Sitting Bull. i learned a lot and appreciate the author and his aancestry and culture even more so now.

[Michael Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great narrative of the life of the Native American hero from the perspective of one of his lineal descendants, his great grandson.

[AF Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I half expected that when I ordered this book, that I would find some venomous repudiation of the previously told tales of the eminent and highly regarded Sitting Bull.
There wasn’t any nastiness sprinkled throughout, just the truth of family history passed from one generation to another.
The thoughts of a family being cursed for 4 generations is to most of the folks in this country the stuff of faerie tales. To the Lakota this sort of a thing is real and for Mr. LaPointe’s family a real and present danger, and one that must be changed so his family lives on. He has taken on a huge responsibility. In these efforts, I wish him well.
Sitting Bulls story is simply and well told. There was. No pumping up of the mythical and legendary parts. Rather the Dragnet type of telling lets the reader know the truth in the writer’s heart and life as he battles to take ownership of his family names and history and break the generations long curse.
Even if nonfiction is not your usual cuppa tea, do take the time to read this story. The truth rings clear and true. It will make you think and consider what was done to a magnificent group of peoples who wanted nothing more but truth, honor and justice and be allowed to keep their homes and ways of life.

[Joe Keefhaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short, interesting book written by Sitting Bull's great-grandson. While it is based on stories that were handed down within the family, I didn't find much material that was that new or insightful. Sitting Bull was a gifted leader who did what he could for his people, both in war and in peace. Had he been a white man, there is no telling how far he could have gone. But the defeat and despair the Lakota faced caused jealousies and divisions to fester within the tribe. In the end, many Lakota did not respect Sitting Bull. I had read about this aspect of the story before, and LaPointe's book dwells on animosities that apparently persist even to this day. It's not a pretty picture, and I was disappointed to read about it.

[Dawne Haase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now my fourth Native American book I’ve read. The book on Crazy Horse was reviewed by his descendants. This book on Sitting Bull was written by his direct lineal descendant, his Great Grandson Mr. Ernie LaPointe. I found this book riveting and learned so much. The previous stories I learned were inaccurate as they were written by a gentlemen that did not get actual information from his decedents. One big factor was the translation of his name that is still used to this day is not correct. His Native name is “Tantanka Iyotake” which means Buffalo Bull Who Sits Down. A definite learning and heart break but such apart of our history. My heart aches for the truth no matter how heart wrenching.

[Ernest Solar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sitting Bull: His Life and Legacy by his great-grandson Ernie LaPointe was a wonderful read. LaPointe provided a different point of view of the life and troubling times that Tatanka Iyotake endured throughout his life. The family stories LaPointe shared were compassionate and moving. It was evident throughout the book that LaPointe deeply respects his great-grandfather’s legacy and wisdom. Tatanka Iyotake was a humble, wise leader for his Lakota people and the author of this book portrays these truths with a sense of modesty. I would recommend this true account of Tatanka Iyotake to anyone who is passionate about learning the truth about the Natives of America.

[Krokki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true account of Tatanka Iyotake (Buffalo Bull Sitting Down, as his name really means) and his life, beautifully told by his closest living relative; Ernie LaPointe.

The book itself, at least the edition I got, is a collectors item in itself. It is cut in some rough paper-material. I dunno, hemp maybe? Anyway, its a great little treasure this one.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new perspective for me about Sitting Bull, specifically a Lakota one. It explains the naming process, about honor and compassion as core values of the Lakota. I no longer am limited to my white view and so appreciative that Ernie LaPointe wrote this book. Sitting Bull is not a one dimensional man. That becomes clear. Yes, he was a warrior, but he was also a thoughtful, spiritual leader.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family history of Great-Grandfather. Well worth reading if the Sioux uprising and the final days of Western expnasion are of interest to you.

It is pretty clear from the last couple of chapters that it is a family memory, and therefore needs to be read as such.

I enjoyed it, but all of this stuff happened within a day's drive of where I live.

[Elliot Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a blood relative of Sitting Bull, this book tells the story of the famous Lakota chieftain. From first hand experience, The Author explains the detail of several Lakota ceremonies.

The final chapter centres around Sitting Bull's murder, which The Author offers his own perspective on.

Interesting and well written.

[Barry Jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Biased

I guess I should have expected this book to be a puff piece for Sitting Bull and it is. I have utmost respect for the American Indians because the US treated them horribly and I imagine if I had been part of their tribe I would have had hatred for the white man that destroyed my way of life

[Martin Micek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very valuable for its content of oral history about Tatanka Iyotake and his genealogy.
It offers a good look into the Lakota society in transition period from free people of the plains to the reservation people, many broken by their adoption of white culture and religion.

[Dick Whittington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read the story of a man like Sitting Bull from the point of view of a direct descendent and to hear the story as it was passed down verbally within the tribe over the past 100+ years.. Short, quick read. Enjoyed it.

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good and important book.

[maureen gontarek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

Very interesting book and very informative. There are many things I didn't know about Sitting Bull. I highly recommend this one.

[Dalene W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having visited the areas talked about in this book last year, this book really brought the life of Sitting Bull to life. It's very well written and should be a must read for high school students.

[Paula Peterson]

It was interesting and reminds me that stories are told from the perspective of the writer.

[Lynn]

Amazing biography of Sitting Bull

It cover the live and legacy of Sitting Bull and the interest of the White man to hide his legacy.

[Kt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, but if you know nothing about Sitting Bull this is not a book you will enjoy. Ernie tells the story in the traditional oral way. Each chapter reveals a different story about his great grandfather from the family's point of view. If you have read nothing about Sitting Bull, it would feel disjointed. If you have, it helps you understand some of the things that he did. I listened to Ernie LaPointe at Ft Buford on the 130th anniversary of Sitting Bull's "surrender". It was an experience to be part of history.

[Joe Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book written by Sitting Bull's Great Grandson. Ernie LaPointe is a personal friend. An American patriot who has courage, honor, and determination. This is a book that is truly worth reading if you want to know how Sitting Bull and his decendents have been treated by their tribe and the fight Ernie has made to restore Sitting Bull's legacy.