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The Journey of Crazy Horse  By  cover art

The Journey of Crazy Horse

By: Joseph M. Marshall III
Narrated by: Joseph M. Marshall III
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Publisher's summary

Most of the world remembers Crazy Horse as a peerless warrior who brought the U.S. Army to its knees at the Battle of Little Bighorn. But to his fellow Lakota Indians, he was a dutiful son and humble fighting man who, with valor, spirit, respect, and unparalleled leadership, fought for his people's land, livelihood, and honor. In this fascinating biography, Joseph Marshall, himself a Lakota Indian, creates a vibrant portrait of the man, his times, and his legacy.

Drawing on firsthand research and his culture's rich oral tradition (rarely shared outside the Native American community), Marshall reveals many aspects of Crazy Horse's life, including details of the powerful vision that convinced him of his duty to help preserve the Lakota homeland, a vision that changed the course of Crazy Horse's life and spurred him confidently into battle time and time again.

The Journey of Crazy Horse is the true story of how one man's fight for his people's survival roused his true genius as a strategist, commander, and trusted leader. And it is an unforgettable portrayal of a revered human being and a profound celebration of a culture, a community, and an enduring way of life.

©2004 Joseph M. Marshall III (P)2004 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"A vivid, haunting biography that acknowledges the author's boyhood hero worship but avoids hagiography....This book adds spirit and life to our understanding of this enigmatic and important man." (Publishers Weekly)
"Marshall does a good job of bringing Crazy Horse to life by examining all his milestones....A highly readable, as-accurate-as-the-record-allows study of the nineteenth-century's best-known Lakota chief." (Booklist)

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What listeners say about The Journey of Crazy Horse

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent

I have only one thing to add to "ibakidd41's" review. Most authors don't have the voice nessecary to be good readers of audio books, however Mr. Marshall gives an excellent reading. I was compelled by his voice to feel and see what he had written. Don't miss this experience.

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55 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Whitewashed story with rose colored glasses.

:-/ Somewhat disappointing. In my opinion, the author did not capture the full essence of the Sioux culture and the pride the Sioux people had in those days. After reading other reviews, I now understand what other reviewers meant about this book being politically correct. For example, the author mentions some very horrific acts of violence the white man did to Indian women and children which I am confident are true based on other books I have read. However, at the same time the author makes it seem as if that was the first time Crazy Horse saw these horrific acts of violence. Back then many tribes, including the Sioux, did many unthinkable things to torture their enemies which is why their actions were called savagery(white men were no different). There are other books that explain the cultural differences between white men and Indians, and provides a deeper understanding as to why there was never ending conflict.

I will say, I really enjoyed the author reading the book. Very authentic. Loved when he spoke in the Sioux language.

If you want to read outstanding Indian history depicting the challenges the Indians faced as white men expanded west read:
• The Heart of Everything That Is. The Untold Legend of Red Cloud
• Earth is Weeping
• Empire of the Summer Moon. Comanche's - Quanah Parker
• Undaunted Courage - Lewis and Clark expedition
• Frontiersman
• Thunder in the Mountains - Nez Pierce Tribe/ Chief Joseph
• Blood and Thunder - Kit Carson

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54 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Journey of Crazy Horse

This book will give you a perspective on Crazy Horse that you won't find anyplace else.It gives a true picture as to who Crazy Horse was and the things that compelled him to greatness. You don't get this side of the story in American history class. I found it to be very compelling and informative. I recommend this book to anybody who is interested in knowing the whole story of western history and how we got to where we are today.

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51 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

great

All I want to add to what the other reviewers had to say is that this is the best narration of any book I have listened to and I have listened to a great many. His voice and pacing fit perfectly for this book. It would not be nearly so interesting or compelling without him. Its a fascinating book but the narration raises it to another level and brings home as no regular narrator could the true meaning of his words

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42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic story and narration

This is a great audio book. It challenged my ideas of leadership and history. There will never be another Crazy Horse, but we can all learn something from his story. I find the narration greatly enhanced the listening experience. I listened to the start of this on a 6 hour drive and when I reached my destination I sat in the parking lot for another hour because I just couldn't stop listening. I'll read (or hopefully) listen to anything else Mr. Marshall shares with us!

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful book; made for audio format.

I read the reviews of a book to see if there is anything that I can add to what has already been written. Some liked the narration some did not. I loved it and cannot think of anyone who could have made the book more meaningful than the author himself. The voice and the book it narrates not only did not put me to sleep, they have not allowed me to sleep soundly for days.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Boise Idaho

This story is so apropos in light of recent world events. It gives an idea of how power corrupts those that lust after it and how people are capable of changing loyalties in the blink of an eye. The author did an excellent job of illustrating the idealism of Crazy Horse and his committment to what was best for "The People". Even though it was a committment he did not wish or strive for. I have read many books about Crazy Horse but this one went into detail that brought Crazy Horse to life. As others have said, I will listen to it more than once or twice.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I strongly recommend this book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I thought that it brought some balanced to the many other treatments of Crazy Horse. Marshall made real for me the lives, intrinsic humanity and basic good values of this nation of Mothers, Fathers, children, and extended families in a culture that for centuries was based on hunting, gathering and defending their homes for survival. Marshal dealt with elegance and sensitivity the incredibly difficult issues facing the Lakota during this period. The tragic nature of many of these issues was evidenced by the lack of effective solutions available to the Lakota nation, and the obviousness to the people at the time that their way of life was irreparably changing for the worse. I've read some reviews here reflecting the view that the author should not have read the book. I most strongly disagree with this view. In my view, no one could have conveyed the rich oral history, family and cultural values of the Lakota people, as well as the poignancy of their plight better than one borne into that culture and steeped from birth in its history and values. I particularly appreciated Marshall's view and focus on what it takes to be a truly great leader in any society. After the book I have a new appreciation of how Crazy Horse became the inspiring leader he was to the Lakota people, not by words and oration, but by example and leading! I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding this period of time in our history from the point of view of the Lakota.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Noble Man


After reading the reviews for this book, written over the years, I realize I probably would have to qualify my interest in the history of Native Americans as passionate, but less than strictly historical (in the sense of documentation and facts only). I read quite a few books on Native American history and I've found as much *honesty* in what the summary here refers to as Marshall's "culture's rich oral tradition" as I have in most of the heavily documented pieces of American Native histories that I've read. No doubt, scholars on the subject may find inaccuracies in this kind of a book, but they can't deny the heart or spirit that is missing in bare bones facts (and here could be a whole discussion on *facts*). Marshall captures that spirit beautifully with a reverence and sincerity that has to be included with these people's history, and this man's heroism.

I read Crazy Horse: The Strange Man of the Oglalas (by Mari Sandoz) probably 20 yrs. ago and plan on reading it again for a more timely comparison, but The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History felt more connected to the Oglala Sioux man than primarily the warrior. It felt like a peaceful reflection of a man and a philosophy, and Marshall's narration definitely added to that feeling.

There were serious issues with the recording I downloaded (which was too bad because I really enjoyed this). Several passages were repeated towards the last third of the book, almost verbatim. The repetition was distracting and even worse, gave the flow a jerky, out of context feel. I listened again, and the same thing happened; one minute CH was turning over his weapons and horse, and the next he was pulling a knife on Little Big Man and riding off on that horse. I think my recording may have also been missing parts, as there was next to nothing on the Battle at Little BigHorn. Hopefully it was just my copy.


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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Moving

I felt moved by this book. Don't know how much is historically correct and I don't think that it matters. I felt as if I was there. It is not a fun book. It is about a great man who in his time had the strength and purpose to continually fight against overwhelming odds. If I was Euro American I would have a sense of shame.

Reading is one tone but I thought effective. Some special effects of thunder were great.

A great book.

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11 people found this helpful