History Happy Hour

Crazy Horse the Lakota Warrior’s Life and Legacy, Th Edward Clown Family with William Matson Fascinating biography of this Native American warrior from his direct descendants. Probably the closes we will ever come to an autobiography of this famous figure. Reading the history of the American West through the eyes of the native peoples is a fascinating-and troubling-way to consider westward expansion. Highly recommended.

Crazy Horse and Custer: The Parallel Live of Two American Warriors, Stephen Ambrose Best known for his World War II histories, in Crazy Horse and Custer, Ambrose brings his mastery of historical narrative to the American West. Really enjoyed this account of these two pivotal figures and was intrigued by the similarities in the lives of these soldiers.  

Sitting Bull: The Life and Times of an American Patriot, Robert Utley The New York Times Review of Books said, “Mr. Utley transforms Sitting Bull, the abstract, romanticized icon and symbol, into a flesh-and-blood person with a down-to-earth story.” A great book by a fantastic historian of the American West. Even though western history is not, as a rule, “my bag,” Utley made this story very interesting and accessible to me.  

The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull and the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Nathanial Philbrick Philbrick is known for his well-written and accessible books of American history. Usually writing about sailing and the sea, his account of the Battle of the Little Big Horn is wonderfully clear and concise.