A New York Times bestseller from the author of Band of Brothers: The biography of two fighters forever linked by history and the battle at Little Bighorn. On the sparkling morning of June 25, 1876, 611 men of the United States 7th Cavalry rode toward the banks of Little Bighorn in the Montana Territory, where three thousand Indians stood waiting for battle. The lives of two great warriors would … lives of two great warriors would soon be forever linked throughout history: Crazy Horse, leader of the Oglala Sioux, and General George Armstrong Custer. Both were men of aggression and supreme courage. Both became leaders in their societies at very early ages. Both were stripped of power, in disgrace, and worked to earn back the respect of their people. And to both of them, the unspoiled grandeur of the Great Plains of North America was an irresistible challenge. Their parallel lives would pave the way, in a manner unknown to either, for an inevitable clash between two nations fighting for possession of the open prairie.
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These two warriors share many similarities. Ambrose gives detailed descriptions of two of America’s greatest legends.
I learned a lot from this book. The author has a very balanced view of this sad part of our history. A lot of craziness and betrayal went on, but there were powerful forces behind some of the bad decisions that were made, and it was a real education to follow the trail of greed and pride and desperation.
Great book for those interested in the full story of Custer, Crazy Horse, and the historic and cultural background preceding the battle of the Little Big Horn. The battle in many ways is insignificant when one considers the cultural environment preceding the actual battle.
I have been to the Little Big Horn. This book brought to life action and suffering that took place there.The autobiographical information on General Custer and the Native Americans involved in this battle told the story of what it was like for both sides.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in “real” American history.
Read this book before a trip to Custer’s Battlefield. Made the trip better as we then visited many other battlefields in the area, Fort Fetterman, Wood Box, Rosebud and many museums. Book was very helpful in putting it all together. I recommend the book and the trip!
At first i thought this comparison might be contrived but was more convinced of the human similarities at the end. Having read other books about the Little Big Horn, and watched history shows, i thought this book did by far the best job of explaining the Sioux’s various perspectives and why their tactics here could not be replicated.
Compelling comparison of two iconic figures from the white-man’s western migration and displacement of native Americans reveals fatal flaws and yet inspirational character.
You will learn things about the Indian culture that you were never taught in school. Excellently written, and a book for anyone interested in history.
If you haven’t read a Stephen Ambrose book pick one up, he is an excellent writer.
Best Custer book of ten I have read!
This is my favorite Steven Ambrose book. I have read it multiple times and am never disappointed. If you love the history of the American West, you won’t want to miss this book. SUPER.
Some of the information is not the latest, but this really is a good look at both men and an excellent way to understand both viewpoints.
Telling a sad event in great wording. Could not stop reading.
very well written, interesting, more people should know about this book
This is remarkable tale of two men, who lived very similar lives, that fate brought together tragically at Little Big Horn. I knew of some of the atrocities that the army and the settlers inflicted on the Native Americans, but I didn’t know all that transpired. It is a humbling account of these two men and of American history.
The book was highly informative. It was painful to read if you feel any remorse about the way the USA treated the Indians.
I did enjoy reading this and picking up some history.
However. I would be reluctant to pick up any more of Mr Ambrose’s work, as personally, I found his opinions towards the Native Americans to be rather disturbing. Other people don’t seem to have had this same issue with it, judging from some reviews I’ve seen; however there were several …
Gives details as to how the Indians lived, raised their families.
I was always fascinated about the Sioux, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull and of course George Armstrong Custer.
What I didn’t know was how the two men, G A Custer and Crazy Horse paralleled each other. Both great leaders. Both somewhat impulsive. Both were heroes to their societies.
And of course there was much to learn about the two boys growing up …
Classic Ambrose. Impeccably researched and wonderfully written.