Crazy Horse and Custer

The Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 20 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

On the sparkling morning of June 25, 1876, 611 men of the US 7th Cavalry rode toward the banks of the Little Bighorn in the Montana Territory, where 3,000 Indians stood waiting for battle. The lives of two great warriors would soon be forever linked throughout history: Crazy Horse, leader of the Oglala Sioux, and General George Armstrong Custer. Both were men of aggression and supreme courage. Both became leaders in their societies at very early ages; both were stripped of power, in disgrace, and worked to earn back the respect of their people. And to both of them, the unspoiled grandeur of the Great Plains of North America was an irresistible challenge. Their parallel lives would pave the way, in a manner unknown to either, for an inevitable clash between two nations fighting for possession of the open prairie.

©2016 Random House Audio (P)2016 Stephen E. Ambrose

Critic reviews

"Movingly told and well written...a fine contribution, one that will be read with pleasure and admiration by general reader, student and scholar alike. Ambrose has breathed new life into the familiar facts." ( Library Journal)

"An epic and accurate retelling of one of our country's most tragic periods." ( Baltimore Sun)

Another great one by Ambrose

Ambrose always puts together a historical event as a story and interjects details that make it entertain and inform.

pretty darn good

I enjoyed it 3 times. informative and fair. one of the better ones I have read

Read before going to Little Big Horn monument

Illuminates the nature of the parties to the battle and clarifies what actually happened to the the 7th Calvary and the tribes that day.

Never Enough American History

I enjoyed this audio book quite a bit. Always fascinated by what transpired at Little Bighorn back in 1876. Our past reflects our future back towards us, like a mirror. Our failure to embrace one another and overlook our differences is still a major issue, even now. This work brings to light the pathetic treatment of nearly all native tribes. I hope somehow their destiny will be turned in a more positive direction.

A change in thinking

Ambrose was accused of plagiarism. I found this book original in the extreme.
The juxtaposition between Custer and Crazy Horse makes me question the very values of Western civilization.
Maybe, that is why they attacked Ambrose.
Something is fundamentally wrong with us and it can not end well.
What we were given, we have eroded.
Our concept of God must be erroneous, a terrible reflection of ourselves.
This is more than a book; it is a cry for sanity.

Great historic comparison.

Ambrose lays out the lives of two men who’s paths crossed in one of the more famous incidents in western history. They can be studied separately but this study is truly a better way to learn about these important figures in history.

Fascinating pre-wokeism account

Crazy Horse & Custer

Stephen Ambrose

Published in 1975, this account of the lives of the two leaders involved in the Battle of the Little Bighorn is valuable as a pre-wokeism narrative.

Ambrose, as usual, doesn’t hold back. You learn about the successes and failings of both men, and the people around them. You learn about internal politics of not just the US Army, but the tribes.

Ambrose does judge actions and people (so and so was a boot licker, etc) but he is able to back his judgments up with facts.

I really enjoyed this book. The author was able to treat both men with respect, telling of their lives before the battle, without ignoring their faults.

That is why this book is fascinating; the battle itself is only one brief chapter near the end. It is the lives they led before 1876 which are intriguing.

Interesting read, I enjoyed it!

I'm sure every American knows who George Custer is. But ,the details behind the legend are far murkier than most realize. Ambrose has written a great book in this work. I particularly enjoyed the fact he gave a glimpse of the Native American mind set that ultimately led to the demise of the Indian nations of the last century. Getting to know some of the Great Chiefs who led their people in a time of such change was inspiring as well. Ultimately I took away the fact that, people are people whomever they are. The "Civilized" Indians sold out the "renegade hold outs" as fast as any white man could have. The native tribes took land and pushed out their tribal neighbors as well as any white man could have. Occasionally the tribes were able to work together to make a stand against the encroaching settlers, but it was the exception rather than the rule. Fascinating topic, well written. I highly recommend the book.

good piece of history to hear.

I thought is was done very well. narrator did a good job. liked how the story told the story of both Crazy Horse and Custer.

Review

This novel felt like i was taken back in time to witness the complicated and detailed events of that time. I feel like I am more connected with my history. Thank you.