The Backdrop of Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse unfolds across the sweeping years from 1844 to 1877, weaving through pivotal moments of history. The tumultuous 1849 gold rush ignites the flames of Sioux rebellion. The narrative captures the 1854 Grattan Massacre, the thrilling dawn of the Pony Express, and the tumultuous years of the Civil War. It portrays fierce confrontations over the Bozeman Trail and the tragic crescendo of the Custer Massacre. The saga of Crazy Horse reaches its poignant end with his assassination, and the Nez Perce's struggle in 1877 further echoes the themes of resistance.

Set against the vast expanse of the American Great Plains, the story traces the Sioux nation's breadth, stretching from the northern reaches of Nebraska through the rugged Big Horn Mountains of western Wyoming, and extending into the mysterious Black Hills and harsh badlands of South Dakota. On a grander, symbolic scale, the narrative encapsulates the American West, illustrating the Sioux's defeat and Crazy Horse's death as harbingers of the Nez Perce's plight in 1877, and the struggles of Geronimo and the Apaches by 1886.

In a twist of fate, General George Custer's final stand became a mirrored last stand for the Sioux. After their victory over Custer, their fragmentation into smaller groups made them vulnerable, leading to their eventual subjugation and confinement to reservations. Ultimately, the story's unfolding events and their landscapes are emblematic of the definitive conquest of the West and the inexorable advance of white civilization that would irreversibly alter the land's destiny.

Bringing History to Life

In Crazy Horse, Garst deftly weaves together the sparse threads of history to weave a tapestry of the Sioux warrior's life. She enriches the skeletal facts with vivid, imagined scenes, painting a lively portrait that immerses the reader in bygone eras. This narrative technique breathes vitality into the annals of history, much like Cornelius Ryan's stirring account in The Longest Day, capturing the pivotal Allied invasion of France during World War II, or Walter Lord's poignant retelling in A Night to Remember, chronicling the tragic descent of the Titanic.

The Rites of Passage

Crazy Horse also finds its place among novels dedicated to exploring the transformative journeys of maturation. This narrative style often charts the protagonist's metamorphosis from youth to adulthood, and sometimes, even to the twilight of life. Exemplars of this storytelling tradition include Charles Dickens's immortal works, David Copperfield and Great Expectations.

Within the pages of Crazy Horse, young Haska embarks on a series of formative adventures that mold him into the figure he is destined to become. His trials range from skirmishes with wasps and grizzly bears to the challenge of selecting and taming his own horse, each experience fueling his quest for valorous acclaim. These episodes are stepping stones in his journey of self-discovery. For instance, when stung by wasps, his cries set the stage for a conflict with No Water, which teaches Crazy Horse the power of silent endurance in the face of insult, fortifying his character.

Crazy Horse's initiation into adulthood is further marked by his encounters with white settlers and soldiers. Through these trials, he learns that the foreign way of life brings hardship to his people and that justice, as dispensed by the newcomers, is tainted with inequity. Armed with this knowledge, he emerges as a staunch defender of his people, a legendary Sioux warrior, and a leader of great renown.

The profound injustice meted out to Native Americans by the U.S. government and white settlers has imbued any narrative about them with a wealth of socially sensitive issues. When the vibrant cultures of the Native Americans collided with the encroaching ambitions of settlers,...

Garst has penned captivating tales that delve into the lives of iconic figures who have indelibly shaped the tapestry of American history. Her repertoire includes the legendary Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickok, Jim Bridger, Will Rogers, and Amelia Earhart. In works like Crazy Horse: Great Warrior of the Sioux, she meticulously chronicles their journeys from the dawn of their existence to their final moments. Though her storytelling often follows similar arcs and employs consistent narrative styles, each novel stands apart, celebrating the unique essence of its central figure.

In Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, Garst's narrative echoes the structure of Crazy Horse. Both stories portray the protagonists as they demonstrate their courage, mastering the wild spirit of their steeds. The novels vividly capture the young heroes as they embark on their inaugural coups, participate in thrilling buffalo hunts, and engage with white settlers, leading to inevitable conflicts. The tales follow Crazy Horse and Chief Joseph as they rise to become illustrious leaders, face injustice at the hands of the U.S. government, and ultimately meet their fateful ends.

Anderson, John A., Henry W. Hamilton, and Jean Tyree Hamilton. The Sioux of the Rosebud: A History in Pictures. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971. This captivating collection of images and narratives unveils the life of the Sioux on the Rosebud Reservation in the years following the legendary Crazy Horse.

Brown, Dee. Fort Phil Kearny: An American Saga. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1962. Richly illustrated and meticulously referenced, this engaging historical narrative captures the life and times of Fort Phil Kearny from April 1867 through January 1868 with clarity and historical fidelity.

Showdown at Little Big Horn. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1964. Crafted with young readers in mind, Brown's book vividly recounts the dramatic battle and the warriors who shaped its outcome.

Connell, Evan S. Son of the Morning Star. San Francisco: North Point Press, 1984. Through a tapestry of well-researched historical facts, Connell weaves an accessible and compelling account of Custer and the fateful clash at Little Big Horn, marking it as the definitive modern exploration of this event.

Custer, Elizabeth B. Boots and Saddles; or, Life in Dakota with General Custer. New York: Harper and Row, 1913. Through the eyes of Custer's wife, readers are given a vivid glimpse into the domestic sphere of an army family, complete with their joys, duties, and the stark solitude of their frontier existence.

Hassrick, Royal B. The Sioux: Life and Customs of a Warrior Society. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1964. Enriched with illustrations and photographs, this volume complements Garst's Crazy Horse by offering a more comprehensive understanding of the Sioux's vibrant culture and traditions.

Johnston, Charles L. Famous Indian Chiefs: Their Battles, Treaties, Sieges, and Struggles with the Whites for Possession of America. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1971. This compact chronicle narrates the sagas of great Native American leaders, from Powhatan's era in 1603 to the legendary figures of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse in 1876.

O'Connor, Richard. Sitting Bull: War Chief of the Sioux. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1968. Paralleling Garst's style, O'Connor delves into the life and legacy of Sitting Bull, painting a detailed portrait of his enduring influence.

Sandoz, Mari. Cheyenne Autumn. New York: Avon Books, 1953. An evocative and poignant narrative, this book tells of the Cheyenne's brave journey from the confines of a reservation back to their Yellowstone River homeland, capturing their alliance with the Sioux and Crazy Horse.

Standing Bear, Luther. My People the Sioux. Edited by E. A. Brininstool. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1975. With the assertion that "no one is able to understand the Indian race like an Indian," Chief Standing Bear offers a profound exploration of the Sioux's interactions with the U.S. government while unveiling the intricacies of their rich cultural tapestry.