A Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History

Book: A Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History
Author: Joseph M Marshall III

As a brilliant leader of a desperate cause and one of the most perennially fascinating figures of the American West, Crazy Horse crushed Custer's 7th Cavalry and brought the United States Army to its knees. Now, with the help of celebrated historian Joseph Marshall, we finally have the opportunity to know Crazy Horse as his fellow Lakota Indians knew him.

Drawing on extensive research and a rich oral tradition that it rarely shared outside Native American circles, Marshall - himself a descendent of the Lakota community that raised Crazy Horse - creates a vibrant portrait of the man, his times, and his legacy. From the powerful vision that spurred him into battle to the woman he loved but lost to duty and circumstance, this is a compelling celebration of a culture, an enduring way of life, and the unforgettable hero who remains a legend among legends.-Goodreads

Review: This is an absolutely fascinating biography (of sorts) of the legendary Lakota Indian, Crazy Horse. The author, historian Joseph Marshall III, is a Lakota Indian and did a wonderful job researching Crazy Horse, primarily through stories told through generations of Lakota. Did the dialogue happen exactly how it's  portrayed in this book and do we know exactly what Crazy Horse was thinking in his moments of solitude? No, as there was no written record at the time. But Marshall brought Crazy Horse to life as a man and did his best to recreate situations based on the oral record as passed down for generations. Readers expecting a detailed account of the battle that ended Custer will be disappointed as this wasn't a focal point in the book but Crazy Horse's life was so interesting that was not an issue for me. 

Overall-fantastic read. 

Grade: 4.5/5