Posted by Rich on October 30, 2000 at 14:56:29:
In Reply to: Re: Off & On The Topic posted by Beth on October 30, 2000 at 11:58:13:
: Beautiful cover, Rich-you folks really do a good job! If I did it, it would look like road kill. As for your commentary, everyone has their own opinions, drawn from their own circumstances and experiences. No need on this end to explain your beliefs-but it was cool to hear you explain them. The best part is that you like Crazy Horse, too! Any good books you would like to recommend for a budding student?
Thanks, Beth ...
The cover is purely Elaine's work, though I took the photos (save the Huron lodge, which comes courtesy of Diana S.) ... I LOVE it!
OK ... as for Crazy Horse ...
The best book has got to be "Crazy Horse, The Strange Man of the Oglalas," by Mari Sandoz (University of Nebraska Press). Sandoz is a brilliant writer with a knack for capturing the essence of things. Another superb book by the same author is "Cheyenne Autumn." Read 'em both if you are able. On the negative side, she does embellish her works, as she writes in a novelized style. It works pretty well in these two books; is a God-awful failure in her "Battle of the Little Bighorn," so wrought with errors that it is rendered virtually useless. "Crazy Horse," is based on interviews with various contemporaries given to Eleanor H. Hinman in 1930 (available as a little booklet entitled, "Oglala Sources on the Life of Crazy Horse" [Nebraska State Historical Society]), among them Crazy Horse's lifetime friend, He Dog. I remember Selo reading that pamphlet ... he was fascinated with it!
Another good book, dealing with Crazy Horse's untimely death, is "The Killing of Chief Crazy Horse," edited by Robert A. Clark (University of Nebraska Press). Though limited in its focus, it features three eye-witness accounts of his death ... He Dog, Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy, the attending physician, and guide/interpreter William Clark.
Finally, "To Kill An Eagle: Indian Views on the Last Days of Crazy Horse," by Edward & Mabell Kadlececk (Johnson Books) ... I don't know about this one. Rather dubious, if you ask me, but some stuff of interest, including various photos purported to be of Crazy Horse (not!) ... I recall having a book that delved into these photos, but either I misplaced it, am blind, or lent it to someone who never gave it back, for, lo & behold, I CAN'T FIND IT!!!
Oh, yeah ... one more ... this is a gigantic, coffee table-type book, called "Crazy Horse," by Jan & Bill Moeller (Beautiful America Publishing) ... I don't know if it's still available. The book has gorgeous color photographs of nearly all the historic places associated with the man.
As for the TNT movie ... it covers the known historical facts of the man fairly accurately.