First published 1999
Shrouded in mystery, Crazy Horse's story is a tragic tale of a reluctant hero betrayed. As a young Sioux warrior, Crazy Horse's bravery and skill in battle earned him a reputation, but he never sought the mantle of leadership. When the U.S. government's encroachment threatened his people's way of life, Crazy Horse became a symbol of resistance, leading his tribe to victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Yet his refusal to compromise ultimately led to his downfall, as he was lured to his death by false promises of peace. In this sensitive portrait, Larry McMurtry illuminates the complex humanity behind the mythic figure, revealing Crazy Horse as a poignant hero of a vanished era.
Genres: biography, historical-fiction, 20th-century, american, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: reluctant-hero, tragic-hero
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century
148 pages · Paperback · Lipper/Viking