The true life of Crazy Horse is plagued with questions. He did not leave any letters or diaries nor are there any records of speeches he made. Most notably, it is still unclear whether his death was an accident or a murder. Nevertheless, Crazy Horse is considered a gripping symbol of freedom, dignity, and the American West. He was the unfathomable leader for the Lakota tribe and was looked upon for protection by his people. But as whites invaded the Lakota lands and the buffalo herds shrank, many Lakota were forced to relocate to reservations. But not all, for Crazy Horse was determined to fight for his home.

Rejecting the reservation system and negotiations with the white invaders, he guided the Lakota in two of the most monumental defeats ever suffered by the US Army: the Fetterman Fight in 1866, and the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, which was fought against the infamous General George Armstrong Custer. Over twenty illustrations and photographs help kids better understand this crucial figure and pivotal moment in nineteenth-century American history. Crazy Horse, part of the Wild West for Kids series, is a must-read for any young historian hoping to learn about a mysterious man who played an influential role in the Native American battles in the West.

 

This book has been graded for interest at 8-12 years.

There are 160 pages in this book. This book was published 2014 by Skyhorse Publishing .

Jon Sterngass, Ph. D. , is a freelance writer and former visiting assistant professor at Union College. He is the author of several children's books and numerous textbook chapters. He lives in Saratoga Springs, New York.