Military historian Ambrose examines the connections between the Indian chief and the cavalry officer who fought at Little Bighorn.
"Movingly told and well written . . . a fine contribution, one that will be read with pleasure and admiration by general reader, student and scholar alike. Ambrose has breathed new life into the familiar facts."--Library Journal

Taking his subjects two parallel lives and decribing them to make a picture of an era, Ambrose makes an entertaining best-seller history. As a whole, the book, according to my limitd knowledge of the subject, gives quite well compiled picture about sioux - whites wars at the time.

What comes to books main theme, the literal portraits of the two well known figures, Ambroses main fault is that these two figures actually aren´t much comparable. Actually nothing much from Crazy Horse as human persona is known, so the rest is mythical. And so, Ambrose keeps portraying him as a nations mythical war hero, not much trying to reson out anything more. And just the opposite, too much about Custer and his fate is known (via his own writings and countless commentaries on Little Big Horn), so let´s stick to the myth (created post mortem) to obscure the too embarrasing facts. And let´s get past real Custer, only occasionally give a hint that maybe he was just as disgusting as his deeds show and just as lousy general as the result shows.

In spite of that, the book is quite readable, if one keeps in mind that relying on Custers own writings is at least controversial (Ambrose notes in the beginning him exarageating and untruth, then goes on to footnoting Custer without questioning though the rest of the book).

Telling about the circumstances and reasons for sioux wars and theft book seems to be quite reliable, it serves well as an introduction to reasons and details in late indian wars (at plains). Of course Ambrose´s viewpoint (of defending Washita village massacre by US troops on the basis of progressive country reaching for forthcoming better future) cannot stand for any critical reading. So...in this book, as often is, more revealing is what is not told than what is... ( )

Crazy Horse and Custer by Ambrose is an excellent book that brings clarity and depth to these characters. Crazy Horse is portrayed as heroic in an impossible situation while Custer is seen as the seriously flawed perpetrator of failed American Indian policy. Ambrose delves into the personal lives of Crazy Horse and Custer and peppers the narrative with superlative anecdotes. The image of Custer shooting his horse while chasing a buffalo is memorable. ( )

Just OK dual biography that suffers from too much already written on Custer and little more than an outline, coupled with informed speculation about Crazy Horse. "Son of the Morning Star" by Evan S. Connell is a better book on a similar subject. ( )

DEN