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The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History Paperback – September 27, 2005
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Most of the world remembers Crazy Horse as a peerless warrior who brought the U.S. Army to its knees at the Battle of Little Bighorn. But to his fellow Lakota Indians, he was a dutiful son and humble fighting man who—with valor, spirit, respect, and unparalleled leadership—fought for his people’s land, livelihood, and honor. In this fascinating biography, Joseph M. Marshall, himself a Lakota Indian, creates a vibrant portrait of the man, his times, and his legacy.
Thanks to firsthand research and his culture’s rich oral tradition (rarely shared outside the Native American community), Marshall reveals many aspects of Crazy Horse’s life, including details of the powerful vision that convinced him of his duty to help preserve the Lakota homeland—a vision that changed the course of Crazy Horse’s life and spurred him confidently into battle time and time again.
The Journey of Crazy Horse is the true story of how one man’s fight for his people’s survival roused his true genius as a strategist, commander, and trusted leader. And it is an unforgettable portrayal of a revered human being and a profound celebration of a culture, a community, and an enduring way of life.
"Those wishing to understand Crazy Horse as the Lakota know him won't find a better accout than Marshall's." -San Francisco Chronicle
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPenguin Books
- Publication dateSeptember 27, 2005
- Dimensions5.12 x 0.66 x 7.77 inches
- ISBN-100143036211
- ISBN-13978-0143036210
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"Marshall's gloriously poetic and sweeping chronicle ushers in a new genre of American history . . . a tour de force." -Peter Nabokov, author of Native American Testimony
"A remarkable portrait of a remarkable man." -Colin G. Calloway, professor of history and Samson Occom Professor of Native American Studies, Dartmouth College
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Penguin Books; Reprint edition (September 27, 2005)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0143036211
- ISBN-13 : 978-0143036210
- Item Weight : 8.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.12 x 0.66 x 7.77 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #37,364 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and holds a PhD from the reservation university, which he helped to establish. The award-winning author of ten books, including Hundred in the Hand, The Lakota Way, and The Journey of Crazy Horse, he has also contributed to various publications and written several screenplays. His first language is Lakota, he handcrafts primitive Lakota bows and arrows, and he is a specialist in wilderness survival. Marshall's work as a cultural and historical consultant can be seen and heard in the Turner Network Television and Dreamworks epic television miniseries Into the West.
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Mr. Marshall tells the story of the life of Crazy Horse from his birth to his death. We see how the Lakota Spirituality, Mores and Customs were critical in the development of the Man, Crazy Horse. We see Crazy Horse, not as a legendary hero, but as a man. The leader, Crazy Horse, is well presented. We see his anguish with losing a way of life. We see his successes. We see his failures. We follow his heart and spirit through his life. Mr. Marshall does an excellent job of bringing this all to life.
The story is well told, as befits a story teller author from a story telling tradition. The writing is clear and strong. The detail is amazing, but the oral tradition it comes from is even more amazing. The book reads well, but requires some background in Native American Traditions and Lore to fully comprehend, or at least an open mind to listen to another culture's viewpoints and characteristics.
This is the stuff of epics, with echos in Beowolf, Alexander the Great, Romulas, The Iliad, The Odyssey, and the other great epics. The difference is that the hero of this epic was on the losing side. We hear this epic from the Heart of Crazy Horse, its last leader. The story is sad and celebrates a way of life condemned by changes beyond his control. Mr. Marshall puts all this in perspective very well. Read this way, not as a white history of a warrior, but as the epic of losing a culture and a way of life, this book is truly outstanding.
Update: Company replaced the book and it is fine, all in order. Changed my stars back to 5.
The Journey Of Crazy Horse
By: Joseph M. Marshall III
Publisher: Penguin Books, 2004, New York, NY
To the Lakota and Plains tribes of the Dakotas, Nebraska and Wyoming, the name Crazy Horse rings with heroic and almost mythical meaning. For many years academics and traditional historians had written the only widely known accounts of Crazy Horse but Marshall wanted to create an account that was uniquely Lakotan. As Marshall describes in a speech given at the 2011 South Dakota Festival of Books, he wanted to create a book that shared the story of Crazy Horse in a way that was traditional to the Lakota people, he wanted to tell a “hero story.” (18:00) Marshall states in the introduction “… a Lakota viewpoint about Crazy Horse needs to put in front of those who have only a narrow view.” (introduction xx) In the “hero story” written by Marshall, between the various narratives there are essays entitled “Reflections” (introduction xxii) which help to enforce or clarify ideas perhaps only lightly stated in the narratives. We will look at this “hero story” and how we can better understand Crazy Horse and also the Lakota people. Secondly we will examine some of the weaker characteristics of the book. Finally, we will end on the positive aspects that Marshall was able to drive home with great skill.
While The Journey Of Crazy Horse is rich in detail, to help narrow the focus I have chosen three portions of this book to highlight in this brief summary; Crazy Horse’s boyhood, his vision and his leadership leading to his death. We are introduced to Crazy Horse by his boyhood name of Light Hair. At a young age Light Hair’s mother passes leaving him to be cared for by extended family and community members. The passing of a parent was not unusual for a Lakota child but Marshall writes, “Later he would realize that his mother’s time on Earth had been much too short.” (10) Light Hair grows and learns from all of the members of his tribe but it is the relationship with his father where Marshall points out Light Hair’s difficulty. “A father who was a medicine man and didn’t do the things all men did caused the boy to feel all the more different.” (14) Doing his best to fill the void left by the untimely death of his mother and also seeing that he was not such a typical Lakota boy, Light Hair continued to grow and learn the Lakota ways. From mastering the bow to tracking and hunting animals to provide for the tribe, Light Hair met every expectation of a Lakota boy. In these early years Light Hair would also encounter white settlers making their way through sacred and highly valued Lakota land. During these formative years Light Hair would be molded to become the man we later meet as Crazy Horse.
Visions and mysticism are commonly thought of when thinking about first Nations’ culture and legend. Light Hair lives out this cultural tradition many times throughout the book. However, one of the most notable portions of this book is Light Hair’s vision. In the most iconic vision ever spoken of with regards to Light Hair, there are several points to take note of. “The dream began at a lake…” “a horse and its rider broke through the surface and road across the land. The rider was a man, a slender man who wore his hair loose. A stone was tied behind his left ear, reddish brown stone. A lightning mark was paint across his face.” “Bullets and arrows suddenly filled the air flying at the horse and rider, but they all passed without touching them.” “People, his own kind, suddenly rose up all around and grabbed the rider, pulling him down from behind. And the dream ended.” (71-72)
Was this vision in fact a message from the ancestors or the gods? Marshall and fellow Lakota would be inclined to tell you “yes.” What about Light Hair prepared him for such a vision, or better yet why was he the one chosen for such a vision? As word of this vision passed through the different branches of the Lakota tribe this only proves to deepen the notoriety and mythical nature surrounding Light Hair. “Word of Light Hair’s dream had quietly spread among the fighting men. Sooner or later, some said, the boy would have to put his medicine to the test.” (75) Soon after this vision Light Hair indeed has the opportunity to prove his medicine. After heroically fighting in battle against a group of white settlers, Light Hair was given perhaps the greatest gift of his life. “I give my first son a new name in this day.” “I have heard the story of the brave things he did.” Light Hair’s father says, “From this day forward I will call him Crazy Horse!” (84) With the support of his father and the tribal elders Crazy Horse would go on to secure his places as a Lakota authority figure. Crazy Horse would also continue to demonstrate his leadership abilities and battle prowess throughout his middle age.
“Crazy Horse’s vision had told him he would be a fighting man, and, thus far, he had honored that foretelling, and would do so for as long as he could. But the vision had shown nothing about shouldering the cares and welfare of others. Even in the best of times, it was difficult to do the right thing for oneself; now he must do the right things to show others how it must be done. Perhaps that is why the Thunders were in his vision his father and others had suggested.” (141) As Crazy Horse grew and evolved from a simple battle warrior to a tribal figurehead he continued to struggle. However, he remained resilient and did not turn away from the authority position set upon him.
As conflict with the white settlers along the “Holy Road,” or in modern terms the Oregon Trail, the Lakota grew weary. White settlers had drawn the huge populations of roaming Buffalo to dwindling numbers and only a few herds still existed through the plains. “He knew that 200 or so families and his encampment could adjust to life without the buffalo order to keep their free-roaming ways. At least most of them would. Life is always changing, after all.” (174) Marshall makes it evident that Crazy Horse is continuing to struggle between tradition, necessity, and what looks like the unchangeable future of white settlers in the Lakota territory. Settlers continued to encroach upon Lakota territory, breaking prior agreements and moving about with general disregard for the Lakota way of life. Between minor battles and the uncountable raids, Crazy Horse’s weariness turned into determination.
When another Lakota warrior, He Dog, found Crazy Horse after he had gone into the wilderness alone, the two of them shared this exchange. “’What would you do? Asked He Dog. ‘fight to stay free,’ replied Crazy Horse, ’and die a free Lakota if it comes to that. I will never live on an agency, so I will never give up my horse or my gun.’” (235) Determination and steadfast resilience as shown by Crazy Horse in this interaction are what ultimately will lead to his death. In chapter 20 we read the final narrative of Crazy Horse’s life, which involves several dimensions. Marshall divides up these final portions of the life of Crazy Horse and attempts to pair them to the aforementioned vision that Crazy Horse had grown to believe and apply in his life. Crazy Horse is brought to Fort Robinson to be arrested by order of General George Crook, “Three Stars” as the Lakota called Crook, a moment of total chaos ensues. Both of the military men of Three Stars and Lakota tribesmen were there at Fort Robinson to aid in the arrest. As Crazy Horse is pulled from his horse by men from both groups and then escorted to a holding cell he soon realizes what is happening. Remember what was said in the final part of Crazy Horse’s vision? Here is a quick reminder “People, his own kind, suddenly rose up all around and grabbed the rider, pulling him down from behind. And the dream ended.” (71-72) Marshall writes of a confusing, violent, and brief scuffle that is abruptly ended by Crazy Horse being stabbed with a bayonet of a white soldier. (263) Crazy Horse said nothing profound, wise or heroic in those final moments. In this final moment of Crazy Horse’s life he was able to live out what he had said earlier to He Dog, “Fight to stay free… and die a free Lakota…”
In this modern day and age, the history of first Nations and their notable figures is often lost somewhere in between legend and myth. As a young person with first Nations’ blood in my veins, specifically Cherokee, I have often wanted to better understand these cultures and traditions. The Journey Of Crazy Horse is written to portray the life of Crazy Horse but I think that indirectly Marshall was able to help shed a broader light on first Nations and how they have been able to survive so many centuries. There are two qualities that Crazy Horse exudes in the book that aid in the understanding of the Lakota, their respect for elders and wisdom of others and their resilience in difficult situations. Throughout the book I was able to spot numerous examples of Crazy Horse seeking counsel from the elders within his tribe. Whether Crazy Horse was listening to the teachings and instructions on how to shoot his bow and arrow (9) or one of the many times he was advised on the difficult decisions that were needed before preparing for battle or leading the Lakota people (131, 168); there were few examples of Crazy Horse or anyone other Lakota doing things with only themselves in mind. This tradition of seeking wisdom and listening to teaching, although not unique to the Lakota, shows that there was much of value placed on knowledge for the simple necessity of survival. Lakota tribesmen could not live by the phrase ”The best lessons are the ones learned the hard way” as so many young people do today. There would no longer be a Lakota people if every lesson was learned the hard way.
Wisdom, although dangerous in the right hands, is not always a sure fire tool for getting through a challenging situation. This is where Crazy Horse’s ability to demonstrate resilience stands out. One of the most notable ways Crazy Horse demonstrates his resilience is by his willingness to go far and wide to hunt for elk and deer when Buffalo seem almost nonexistent. (172) Marshall also left no stone unturned in writing about all of the struggles and tribulations in which Crazy Horse demonstrated resilience with the westward settlers and the American army slowly pulling the Lakota way of life apart.
The Journey of Crazy Horse was written by Marshall to demonstrate a Lakota perspective of the life of Crazy Horse, and did so quite well. However, I think that this book was perhaps geared more towards someone who already sees the world through Lakota eyes. In the earlier mentioned speech Marshall gave on his book, he speaks about how happy he was to hear that the book had been given to Lakota youth on the reservations throughout the state of South Dakota. (35:00) To be able to understand the tradition of the “hero story” in a genuine manner I believe one must be able to put aside their previous understanding of how history is presently transmitted. Being someone who has learned from both a western and modern form of history transmission, being able to see this book, as a historical text is difficult at times. Marshall even writes about this in his introduction “A wealth of cultural information and historical knowledge has not been made available to non-Indians because of basic suspicion on the part of many Lakota (and other indigenous peoples). The suspicion exists because too many non-Indian noses are turned up at the thought that oral tradition should be considered credible.” (introduction xix) Unfortunately I would say that at times my nose was turned up to this book because of the manner in which the history was conveyed. A few examples that made relating difficult or processing how this history was told would include the use of native names for the months of the year, being generally unfamiliar with a native customs and traditions, and although accurate the use of native names made comprehension and recall of the narratives many characters difficult.
Putting aside my own faults as a reader, Marshall has succeeded with his original goal. Portraying the life, struggles, and successes of Crazy Horse through the eyes of a Lakota native in a manner traditional to the Lakota was the fabric of this book from cover to cover. Another strength in The Journey of Crazy Horse is that for some readers the use of this traditional storytelling method makes the ideas, stories, and examples more tangible. I would say that history oriented books in general have a tendency to make young readers apathetic to the idea of reading because they see them simply as a text book. Marshall has taken the same information often written in textbooks and written them in a manner that some may find more appealing.
While the story of a light haired Lakota warrior may not resonate with most us, I would encourage you to still be inspired and apply the example of Crazy Horse in the most practical way. Do you need to listen to your dreams and follow them out of a job you hate? Do you need to lean back on how you were raised and evaluate the story of your own life to move forward from a difficult rut? Maybe you need to seek wisdom from a friend or family member on difficult choice? Ultimately I believe that The Journey Of Crazy Horse will continue to speak to readers for generations about the life of Crazy Horse in a unique way, which until now no other book has been able to do.
Outline
1. Introduction to book review of The Journey Of Crazy Horse
a. Brief examination of book’s structure
2. Brief summary of The Journey Of Crazy Horse
a. Boyhood in early adolescence of Light Hair
b. Understanding his vision and the maturing process to Crazy Horse
c. Leadership as warrior and authority figure even until death
3. Understanding the Lakota more clearly through the example of Crazy Horse
a. Crazy Horse’s keenness towards tribal wisdom and tradition
b. Crazy Horse’s use of resilience when other tools seemed distant
4. Conclusion
Works Cited
Joseph Marshall III ~ The Journey of the Journey of Crazy Horse. Perf. Joseph M Marshall III. Rapid City Library (rapidcitylibrary), 6 Jan. 2012. Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <https://youtu.be/0xm_7sasJwQ>.
Marshall, Joseph M., III. The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History. New York: Penguin, 2004. Print.
Top reviews from other countries
Der Autor bemüht sich sehr, auch mögliche Hintergründe und Motivationen der Handlungen dieses bemerkenswerten Mannes darzustellen. Er sieht und beschreibt ihn nicht nur als Krieger, sondern als vielschichtigen "normalen" Menschen mit Stärken und Schwächen. Crazy Horse wird als ein Führer präsentiert, der in erster Linie durch sein Beispiel führt und nicht kraft guter Rhetorik oder anderer nach außen gerichteter Qualitäten. Er ist bescheiden und zurückhaltend. Er lebt sein Leben als Thunder Dreamer im Dienst seines Volkes.
Recht gut kommt auch die Gespaltenheit innerhalb der Lakota zum Ausdruck, die letztendlich ganz maßgeblich zum Tod von Crazy Horse beiträgt.
Erwähnen muss ich auch noch die Abschlussgeschichte über den Bogenmacher, die wirklich gut erzählt ist.
Alles in Allem ein nie langweiliges, immer stimmungsvolles Buch, das einen in die Welt der Indianer eintauchen und am Leben des Crazy Horse teilnehmen lässt.