Sitting Bull: The Life and Times of an American Patriot [Paperback]

Robert M. Utley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2008

The definitive, award–winning biography of the legendary chief and his dramatic role in the history of westward expansion

Reviled by the United States government as a troublemaker and a coward, revered by his people as a great warrior chief, Sitting Bull has long been one of the most fascinating and misunderstood figures in American history. Distinguished historian Robert M. Utley has forged a compelling portrait of Sitting Bull, presenting the Lakota perspective for the first time and rendering the most unbiased, historically accurate, and vivid portrait of the man to date.

The Sitting Bull who emerges in this fast-paced narrative is a complex, towering figure: a great warrior whose skill and bravery in battle were unparalleled; the spiritual leader of his people; a dignified but ultimately tragically stubborn defender of the traditional ways against the steadfast and unwelcome encroachment of the white man.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert M. Utley, a former chief historian of the National Park Service, specializes in the history of the American West and is the author of many distinguished works of history and biography. He lives in Georgetown, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; First Edition edition (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080508830X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805088304
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Biography!, July 6, 2011

By 

Eric Sierra-Franco (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sitting Bull: The Life and Times of an American Patriot (Paperback)

Robert Utley's "Sitting Bull:The Life And Times Of An American Patriot" is a splendid biography of the eminent Hunkpapa Sioux leader. Utley covers the full span of Sitting Bull's life using primarily primary(firsthand) sources and deftly manages to paint a portrait of a tangible "flesh & blood" human being. Utley, one of the greatest historians of the American West and the former chief historian of the National Park Service, treats his subject with deep sympathy and fairness but fairly explicates Sitting Bull's strengths and weaknesses and offers analysis and conclusions that are sober and well informed. The real strength of this biography is post-Little Bighorn because Sitting Bull's life became far more complicated at this point, and Utley does an admirable job of explaining the myriad complications of the Indian chief's life on the run from a vengeful U.S. Army, in sanctuary in Canada which created diplomatic pressures between the United States and Canada and Great Britain, and his capitulation(and sad realization)that his people(and all plains Indians) nomadic lifestyles had come to an end, to Sitting Bulls embrace of the Ghost Dance which ultimately led to his demise. Superb and first rate!!!!

Incidentally, the original title of this work(and the one Utley prefers) is "The Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting Bull". If one looks up the original title of this work on Amazon they will find many more reviews of this very same book(save the title). Additionally, as a companion to this fine biography the interested reader may also want to read Utley's excellent biography of George Armstrong Custer titled "Cavalier in Buckskin: George Armstrong Custer and the Western Military Frontier".