Hundred in the Hand (Lakota Westerns) [Audio CD]

Marshall (Author), Joseph M. III (Author, Editor), read by: Marshall (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Lakota Westerns | Publication Date: April 1, 2008

Beautifully written and reminiscent of the oral tradition, Hundred in the Hand brings a new slant to the traditional Western: historical fiction written from the Native American viewpoint.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a story that belongs to all of us...This Western transcends its genre. Highly recommended." -- Historical Novels Review, February 2008

"...a suspenseful story that brings readers an important perspective to a defining event in the history of the American West." -- The Denver Post

"...a swift, compelling read. If you like Westerns, you'll love this one." -- Washington Post, November 25, 2007

"...filled with suspense, action, pathos, and the novelty of telling a true story where the Indians came out on top." -- Roses & Thorns, November 21, 2007

"...has succeeded where other great western novels have failed, due to lack of understanding of a different culture." -- Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, January 2008

"Marshall uses several point-of-view characters on both sides of combat...the battle scenes swirl with action." -- Albuquerque Journal, March 16, 2008

..."a fine historical novel in a class with Larry McMurtry's tales of life on the Western frontier. Highly recommended..." -- Library Journal, September 15, 2007

Finalist in the Popular Fiction category -- Benjamin Franklin Award 2008

Silver Medalist in the Historical Fiction category -- Independent Publisher Awards 2008

[Marshall] has woven historical facts with a touching story of a young white woman who was raised by the Sioux and married a young warrior women whom she loved dearly. This is a story of young love and fierce battles and is a very moving novel. --Bella Online, Native American Site by Phyliis Doyle Burns --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and holds a PhD from the reservation university, which he helped to establish. The award-winning author of ten books, including Hundred in the Hand, The Lakota Way, and The Journey of Crazy Horse, he has also contributed to various publications.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks, Inc.; Unabridged edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143322982X
• ISBN-13: 978-1433229824
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,312,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and holds a PhD from the reservation university, which he helped to establish. The award-winning author of ten books, including Hundred in the Hand, The Lakota Way, and The Journey of Crazy Horse, he has also contributed to various publications and written several screenplays. His first language is Lakota, he handcrafts primitive Lakota bows and arrows, and he is a specialist in wilderness survival. Marshall's work as a cultural and historical consultant can be seen and heard in the Turner Network Television and Dreamworks epic television miniseries Into the West.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars THIS 'CLOUD' HAS A SILVER LINING AND A MEMORY THAT'S PURE GOLD, April 1, 2008

By 

Red Rock Bookworm (St. George Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hundred in the Hand: A Novel (Lakota Westerns) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

Long before the Little Bighorn and George Armstrong Custer's ignominious end at hands of Chief Crazy Horse there was the Fetterman Massacre of 1866 (known to the Lakota as the Battle of the Hundred in Hand). In this novel of the 19th century American West, author Joseph M. Marshall III, himself a Lakota Sioux, tells the tale of an intrepid band of Lakota's bent on closing the Bozeman Trail to all white men.

While many of the events that pepper the novel are true and some of the characters portrayed are actual historical figures, like Crazy Horse, most of the other participants in this story are creations of the authors' fertile imagination. The story is told from the Indian perspective and offers lessons in the Indian culture, their history, and the geography of the area before the "civilized world" began its steady and inevitable march West.

Marshall has a definite talent for searching out the truth beneath the myths, and deftly leading us to examine each situation and character for ourselves. His passion for his subject matter is evident in his writing. His style is easy and natural, the vocabulary simple. His Lakota characters are an assortment of individuals ranging from loving family men, to aggressive warriors, to ambitious would-be leaders, all desperately trying to agree on a solution to their problem in an attempt to hold on to their values and their land. (The faces may have changed but the moral to this tale is that, in reality, not much else has changed over the past two centuries).

Marshall has taken the Western novel to the next level by eliminating the stereotypical Indian characters that usually make their appearance in these offerings and giving us real people with real problems and real emotions. You like these folks, you can picture their battle in your mind and you discover that your happy with the outcome of "The Battle of the Hundred in the Hand".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating perspective of a story we thought we knew, March 28, 2008

By 

Modern Blue Argonaut - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hundred in the Hand: A Novel (Lakota Westerns) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

Many years ago I went through my "westerns" phase reading several different westerns about how America was settled. I always wondered about the Native American perspective, and I was very eager to read this book. As far as I know, this is the first historical fiction novel about the west as told from the Native American perspective.

The story is told through a fictitious Lakota Indian named Cloud. The story is about the Fetterman Massacre, a battle that took place on Dec. 21, 1866, also known as Hundred in the Hand by the Lakota. For the most part, I began to relate to the Lakota's since the story is told from their viewpoint, but occassionally the author throws in a perspective from the white side for balance.

It was refreshing to see the Lakota as everyday people like you and me, rather than then savages portrayed by western film and literature I am familiar with. It was also very interesting to me that the cover art work displays the white man as blue silhouettes but the Lakota are in full color. The author definately knew what he was doing, had a goal in mind when writing this book, and ultimately accomplished his goal.

One thing I really liked about this book is the included glossary, calendar, and maps. So often historical fiction novels leave these important features out.

The publisher says this is a first in a series of novels, and I expect them to do very well, and I look forward to reading more by this author.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming story in the American West, October 9, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hundred in the Hand: A Novel (Lakota Westerns) (Paperback)

"With swift but unhurried motions" the Lakota turned the pages of history as they triumphed in the battle of the Hundred in the Hand, also known as the Fetterman Massacre of 1866. Told in the oral tradition through the eyes of Cloud, a brave young Lakota warrior who fought alongside the famed Crazy Horse, this dramatic western tale brings the reader into the midst of the Old West and Native American life.

The Lakota have long lived as brothers and sisters with nature and Mother Earth. Now, their lifestyles and homes are being threatened by the insurgence of Long Knives who are intruding upon their homeland, killing huge numbers of game and changing the landscape with the construction of forts and towns. As the Lakota elders come to the realization that these intruders are here to stay, warriors from several tribes band together to reclaim their territory and protect the land that they love.

Fighting not only for his people and culture but also for his young red-haired bride, Cloud finds himself caught in battles that are both physical and emotional. Unable to know whether he will safely return to see the birth of his first child, he struggles to focus on the battle at hand while his thoughts wander continually back to his wife and lodge in the village.

A heartwarming story of loyalty and faith, combined with adventure and a touch of romance, Hundred in the Hand brings a new and fresh perspective to the history of the American west.

Author Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, with Lakota being his first language. Growing up in a traditional Native American household, he learned the art of sharing history through oral storytelling. Joseph has creatively combined that art with his own talents and continues to express the oral tradition in his written works.

Armchair Interviews says: Wonderfully told story from our nation's history.