The Last Days of the Sioux Nation (The Lamar Series in Western History) [Paperback]

Robert M. Utley (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Lamar Series in Western History | Publication Date: September 10, 1966

Recounts the role of the Ghost Dance religion in the final confrontation between the Sioux nation and the army of Wounded Knee Creek.

Product Details

• Paperback: 349 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (September 10, 1966)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300002459
• ISBN-13: 978-0300002454
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #801,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Standing the Test of Time as the best book on Pine Ridge Ghost Dance of 1890, July 9, 2008

By 

John D. Mackintosh (LEXINGTON, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Days of the Sioux Nation (The Lamar Series in Western History) (Paperback)

Although it has been many years since I read this book, I have continued to reference it. The books relating to Wounded Knee that have come along since LAST DAYS was published in the 1960s don't measure up in terms of dispassionate and balanced analysis, nor in exploring the sources to the extent that Mr. Utley does. In fact, this book could be used in Historiography classes as an examples of how to write objective history and shown to students in all fields of history as a stellar example of such.

Utley explores the underlying causes that gave rise to the Ghose Dance religion, from the Dawes Act to the actions of an immoral Congress that reneged on food allotments for the Lakota and then turned an indifferent eye to their plight. He examines the military build up at Pine Ridge and the Lakota response, detailing especially the Seventh Cavalry which I found most useful. All of this culminates with the tragedy at Wounded Knee. It is especially noteworthy that he then includes an entire chapter on the Drexel Mission battle that happened the day after Wounded Knee and is generally overlooked in other treatments of the Pine Ridge campaign. The early 1891 death of Lt. Casey is also covered. Also recommended: Rex Alan Smith's MOON OF THE POPPING TREES and the recently published VOICES OF THE AMERICAN WEST, the two volumes of the compiled interview notes of Judge Eli Ricker who talked to soldiers, settlers and Indians about Wounded Knee.

7 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wounded Knee in historical & military perspective, August 23, 2001

By 

DAVID GROESBECK (WEST MONROE,NY.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Days of the Sioux Nation (The Lamar Series in Western History) (Paperback)

ONE USUALLY SEARCHES IN VAIN FOR AN AN EVEN HANDED NON PARTISAN ACCOUNT OF THIS SAD EVENT. MR. UTLEY APPEARS TO DO JUST THIS IN HIS 1963 PRESENTATION WHICH IS EMPATHETIC YET FACT DRIVEN. HE PROVIDES DIRECT EVIDENCE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT BIG FOOT'S WARRIORS WERE WELL ARMED & DID INDEED COMMENCE FIRE ON FORSYTH'S 7TH CAVALRY AT POINT BLANK RANGE. MILITARY ARCHIVAL DATA PROVIDES LITTLE SUPPORT FOR THE WIDESPREAD MYTH THAT MOST MILITARY CASUALTIES WERE INFLICTED BY FRIENDLY FIRE. SIOUX COMBATANTS INFLICTED DEATH BY GUNFIRE ON 25 7TH CAVALRY TROOPERS. A FACT SELDOM REPORTED BY "MASSACRE" PROPONENTS WAS THAT SIOUX COMBATANTS WERE INTERSPERSED WITH NON COMBATANTS DURING THE MELEE. ONLY ONE OF FOUR AVAILABLE HOTCHKISS ARTILLERY PIECES WERE EMPLOYED TO CONTAIN THE RAPIDLY EXPANDING BATTLE. THE SIOUX DID IN FACT APPEAR TO BE "PLAYERS" IN THIS BATTLE.