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The Killing of Crazy Horse Audiobook
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(3.07) - 291 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
He was the most feared and loathed Indian of his time, earning his reputation in surprise victories against the troops of Generals Crook and Custer at the Rosebud and Little Bighorn. Despite his enduring reputation, he has remained an enigma (even the whereabouts of his burial place are unknown, and no portrait or photograph of him exists). Now, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Thomas Powers brings Crazy Horse to life in this vivid work of American history.
Powers situates the critical battles won by Crazy Horse within the context of the decades-long conflict between Indian tribes and U.S. Army forces commonly called the Great Sioux Wars. He explores the complicated relationship between the tribes—in particular, Crazy Horse's Lakota Sioux—and the federal authorities. And he makes clear why the few battles won by the Indians—regardless of the fear they left in their wake—did not ultimately help them to stem the tide of settlers, gold seekers, and buffalo hunters that flooded the Great Plains after the Civil War.
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"A good history of life on the plans in the late 19th century. Goes into deep detail on the life of Crazy Horse and his contemporaries. Very informative book esp. On the machinations behind the armies decisions dealing with the Indian tribes. Recommended for American history lovers."
— Jacob (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Powers tells us much that is revealing and often moving about the Sioux in their last days as free warriors.
— The New York Times -
“Narrator John Pruden…[uses] an easygoing style. He breaks up long sentences with strategic pauses and adds a dramatic tone during key scenes, such as the attack on Custer and the death of Crazy Horse. Further, he handles Native American names and words with aplomb. In all, the book is informative and rewarding, and Pruden makes it work in audio.”
— AudioFile -
“A story rife with intrigue, rivalry, factionalism, jealousy, and betrayal. Powers works through this maze with admirable insight…The Killing of Crazy Horse will stand the test of time.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Chilling and unforgettable…A portrait done in the blood of the heartland, a heart still beating after all these years. Powers has given us a great book, a great painting of that still-beating heart.”
— Washington Post -
“A skillfully written, meticulously researched book that covers far more than the chief’s final days and hours.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“There is a sustained feeling of excitement throughout the book, a sense of the historian’s hunt…Powers is determined to untie the knots, to find out how Crazy Horse really died and why.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“[A] landmark history…A well-balanced account of the clash of cultures and civilizations…What Powers has so masterfully portrayed is the political bickering within the Sioux nation and the US Army’s role in one of the most shameful episodes in American history.”
— Army Magazine -
“Nothing short of a masterpiece. Complex and compelling, lurid and lyrical, tragic and transcendent from start to finish.”
— Christian Science Monitor -
“Masterful…A fascinating portrait of the great and mysterious Sioux war chief and of the pivotal era in hour history in which he lived and died…Powers] is not only an accomplished digger of facts but someone who understands that in matters of war and politics there are very few good—or bad—guys.”
— St. Petersburg Times
Awards
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A Washington Post Best Audiobook of 2010
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Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography
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Winner of the 2011 Spur Award for Best Historical Nonfiction
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Winner of the 2010 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for History
The Killing of Crazy Horse Listener Reviews
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" I enjoyed this book but it took many detours (interesting ones) along the way. The final chapters that actually chronicle the death of Crazy Horse are well done and worth reading. "
— John, 2/20/2014 -
" Very thoroughly researched book, which describes Crazy Horse, the Sioux, and the conflicts of that time in our history. "
— Lucinda, 2/11/2014 -
" Another great example of what can go horribly wrong with history writing. This book is extremely well researched and that is probably its greatest weakness. The author feels he has to put in something about every item he researched, regardless as to whether it advances the story. You get the back story of nearly every minor character which just slows things down too much. The parts directly about Crazy Horse and his people and customs are well-written and interesting. It's just a shame that it gets bogged down in so much other minutiae. "
— Benjamin, 2/4/2014 -
" Ah, the treachery. "
— Emily, 2/1/2014 -
" Thomas Powers did an excellent job of retelling the life story of Crazy Horse from his battlefield exploits to his betrayal by his Sioux tribesmen. Powers used his research and documentation very well to make the participants come alive for the reader. Well done. "
— Margaret, 1/10/2014 -
" Wow. If you want a comprehensive tale of the last generation of plains indians, and how their downfall was accomplished by the US, this is probably one of the best. It shows the legends in their humanity, and their greatness. "
— Joshua, 12/31/2013 -
" Very readable history, and a worthwhile companion to "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee." "
— Debbie, 12/28/2013 -
" Interesting, in depth analysis of Crazy Horse's murder. At times it almost reads as if he is a Christ-like figure, heading to the cross. In some ways no doubt he was. "
— Joseph, 12/27/2013 -
" Could have used a better editor. He often repeats himself throughout the course of the book. I don't think it was intentional. "
— Laura, 12/12/2013 -
" I've read many books on Native Americans and particularly on the Plains Indians. This book is the best of them all. It is very well researched and engagingly written. "
— David, 12/8/2013 -
" I listened to this book, and it read like a novel. It was very comprehensive: discussing the period, the personal lives of the main characters, the cultural influences of the American Indians and the white American soldiers. REALLY good read (listen)! "
— Dcall, 11/22/2013 -
" Best book on this Indian hero to date. "
— Laura, 10/29/2013 -
" This book is hard to judge because there aren't many books on this topic and I was very interested in reading a popular biography about Crazy Horse. I think the writing was a little dry and long-winded, but it was well-thought-out and a needed book. "
— Melissa, 10/16/2013 -
" It was interesting...though a bit repetitive to me. But that may just be because I read so many history books. "
— Ashley, 6/20/2013 -
" Wonderful, tragic, and true. Meticulous research. A must read for anyone who wants to understand the history of the Western United States. "
— Michael, 6/5/2013 -
" Crazy Horse always said he would never be killed by a bullet, and he wasn't. But just like a trick prophecy in a fantasy novel, it doesn't play out exactly the way you'd expect--or want. A good read overall. "
— Greg, 4/12/2013 -
" Really good, straightforward description of a charismatic leader and warrior and the unfortunate events and double-dealing that lead to his death. "
— Marcia, 3/7/2013 -
" I am interested in reading this just before I venture into Wyoming. This summer was an experience as I read of the indigenous wars while working in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming. This is another treatment of the same. "
— Timothy, 10/7/2012 -
" I probably should rate this higher, but I just couldn't quite get interested. Which is odd, because I really do enjoy Native American history--I have ever since I was a little girl--but somehow I never clicked with this book. It's well-written, though, and impressively researched. "
— Gayla, 10/16/2011 -
" It was interesting...though a bit repetitive to me. But that may just be because I read so many history books. "
— Ashley, 4/28/2011 -
" Could have used a better editor. He often repeats himself throughout the course of the book. I don't think it was intentional. "
— Laura, 4/27/2011 -
" Interesting, in depth analysis of Crazy Horse's murder. At times it almost reads as if he is a Christ-like figure, heading to the cross. In some ways no doubt he was. "
— Joseph, 1/12/2011 -
" Powers' account of the Battle of the Little Big Horn is one of the clearest I have ever read. <br/>And his account of Crazy Horse's death makes one want to weep. "
— Barbara, 12/20/2010
About Thomas Powers
Thomas Powers is the author of The Man Who Kept the Secrets: Richard Helms and the CIA; Heisenberg’s War: The Secret History of the German Bomb; Thinking About the Next War; The War at Home: Vietnam and the American People; and Diana: The Making of a Terrorist. He is also the author of the novel The Confirmation. Powers has won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting, and his work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, the New York Times Book Review, Harper’s, the Nation, Commonweal, the Atlantic, and Rolling Stone.
About John Pruden
John Pruden is an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. His exposure to many people, places, and experiences throughout his life provides a deep creative well from which he draws his narrative and vocal characterizations. His narration of The Killing of Crazy Horse by Thomas Powers was chosen by the Washington Post as a Best Audiobook of 2010.