Killing Crazy Horse: The Merciless Indian Wars in America (Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series)

I have thoroughly enjoyed Bill O'Reilly's and Martin Dugard's "Killing" series. "Killing Crazy Horse," the ninth installment, did not disappoint. The authors tell a captivating story of persistent conflict in 19th Century America's western territories between white settlers and Native Americans. Writing in the present tense, as is their style, brings yet another period of U.S. history to life in this engaging read. In "Killing Crazy Horse," O'Reilly and Dugard focus on the period between the Creek War (1813-1814) and the 1877 surrender of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe in the Montana Territory. Interspersing battlefield accounts of the most significant engagements, the authors ensure an eminently readable book. The result of thorough research is a no-holds-barred chronicle of what happened in the American Frontier Wars. What draws me to the "Killing" series is the authors' aim to demystify a period of history experiencing a renewed interest in contemporary American society. In their quest to separate fact from fiction in 19th century America, a period of significant growth and change, they ensure informative, exciting reading. But their ability to "go the extra mile" makes all the difference. Indeed, O'Reilly and Dugard include little fact nuggets, often in the book's footnotes, that make the reader inwardly exclaim, "Oh, I see, this is what that means!" Or "Oh, that is why we call it that!" Or "Oh, that is where that tradition comes from!" As well, by humanizing such prominent Native American tribal leaders as Chiefs Blackhawk, Geronimo, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull, they offer readers another perspective on an exceedingly fraught period in our nation's history. Exploring the reasons for the storied battles between the settlers, U.S. Army troops – both professionals and volunteers – and Indian tribes such as the Blackhawk, Cherokee, Chiricahua Apache, and Sioux as the nation realizes its "manifest destiny" is also where the authors excel. Just as with their previous works, I found myself unable to put "Killing Crazy Horse" down. The final chapters of the book, in particular, drew me in. To mine and I suspect others' reading satisfaction, the authors save the best for last. Combining the series of events leading to the controversial Battle of the Little Bighorn with descriptions of the antagonists' personalities enables the reader to understand better, even anticipate, the outcome. Beyond the enjoyment "Killing Crazy Horse" brought me, the book struck an emotional chord. It exposed the poignant eviction of the Native American from his tribal lands. As the United States annexed land in its inexorable territorial expansion, conflict was inevitable. Indigenous peoples inhabiting those lands for centuries would not give them up quickly or easily. A sort of pathos permeates much of "Killing Crazy Horse." The authors often describe slaughter in vivid detail, including atrocities committed on both sides. Additionally, O'Reilly and Dugard document the U.S. government's sometimes feeble attempts at negotiation. More often than not, America finds itself relentlessly waging war against the Plains tribes anyway. While their battlefield depictions can be gruesome, the authors are generally even-handed in their treatment of U.S. Army soldiers and Native American warriors. They portray both as determined and courageous but often brutal in their methods, for example, routinely taking the scalps of their adversary. In depicting the lives of white settlers and the actions of the U.S. government, O’Reilly's and Dugard's writing is especially compelling. Intent on surviving both the Indians' savagery and harsh conditions, the bold and adventurous settlers eke out an existence on the frontier while fighting for their lives. Along with their Mexican counterparts, American politicians sanction merciless raids into Native American lands, revenge seemingly the only motive in U.S. Army attacks on encampments of tribes and sub-tribes. In some cases, government officials justify U.S. Cavalry depredations with a "commitment" to securing their adversary's safety on reservations. Covering a period of American history that extends from the late 18th century to the early 20th century in only 281 pages inevitably exposes O’Reilly and Dugard to criticism. But, as they perhaps have with the authors' previous works, the critics miss the point of "Killing Crazy Horse." The authors zero in on what they believe are the most momentous (and interesting) events of the American Frontier Wars and reveal what happened and why. By so doing, they popularize history. They take a bland subject and bring it to life, thus inspiring a generation of readers to understand better and embrace our nation's past. With O'Reilly's and Dugard's books, those who found high school U.S. history boring can have another bite at the apple! I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of the "Killing" series. Illuminating facts while popularizing history is what the authors do best!

I love history and I have been to the Little Big Horn battlefield where Custer made his "Last Stand." I lived within a few miles of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Idaho for a few years. I was astonished that any reviewer could give this book a one-star rating. Bill O'Reilly always will be what he was before turning to radio and television - a history teacher. He always makes it interesting and supplies details left out by many others. I didn't know for example that General Custer was shot through his male sex organ as an act of disdain after he was killed at the Little Big Horn, though I did know that he was not scalped as the others and that his ears were pierced by squaws the day after so that he would hear better in the afterlife. The gruesome details of desecration of corpses by both sides shows the level of passion and revenge and hate that was present. One reviewer suggested that there should have been more context though, frankly, there was a lot of context provided. The Panic of 1870 which influenced President Grant's decisions is just one of many examples. We did understand many of the historic conflicts between tribes that caused some to fight against other tribes with enthusiasm. You can always say more. One reviewer suggested five different books that we should read. But, really, that is not the purpose of this book. It is not to say everything but instead to educate the general public in a compelling, interesting, page-turning way that will not possibly bore the reader. In this the writers have wonderfully succeeded. I found the criticism by one reviewer that it had what could be perceived as a "liberal bias" interesting. History is reality. It is a fact that we broke basically every treaty we made with the Indians and that profit by someone other than the Indians was the motive. Yes, they were "in the way" of American progress westward and yes, a solution that was fair was difficult to find. But to learn from history we must be honest about it. This book has given us that.

Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard deftly tackle the complicated issues surrounding Native American relations with a new, emerging nation between 1813 and 1890 or so. And while O'Reilly doesn't invest much time in the relations before the 1800s — when tribal conflicts, the French & Indian War, and Spanish exploitation set a perilous stage for the United States — the authors take an even-handed approach in describing what began with unfortunate conflicts during James Madison's presidency and eventually became unconscionable actions under Ulysses S. Grant's presidency. Specifically, O'Reilly opens with a prologue retelling the story of the massacre at Fort Mimms — a fitting opener given both the leaders in the conflict — the Creek and the head of security of Fort Mimms — are not only of mixed race but from the same Creek clan. The difference between the two men is one of identification. Although one inside Fort Mimms is dark-skinned and half Creek, and the one leading the attack is fair-skinned, and only one-eighth Creek (with a grudge); both the Creek nation (including the half who have no interest in the conflict) and the fledgling United States will suffer for it. Almost everyone at Fort Mimms is slaughtered. And in retaliation, Andrew Jackson, War of 1812 hero and future President, will be solicited to lead the U.S. Army on a second massacre, except the Creek will be slaughtered. From there, O'Reilly cuts into the infamous Monroe doctrine, in which the United States declares it will no longer tolerate the further colonization of the Americas or any puppet monarchs. It was arguably a defining moment for the United States in that it protected the Americas from further exploration by Europe, but it also ignored the indigenous people who were already present — thereby making Native Americans a uniquely American problem. O'Reilly chastises the Monroe doctrine a bit, which feels slightly short-sighted in that colonization would have created even more problems, not fewer, for Native peoples. In fact, throughout much of the book, various tribes describe having fewer issues with United States settlers than they do other tribes, the Mexican government, and remnants of the French. However, these issues will eventually become American issues as the French sold land it technically didn't own, Texas ceded land from Mexico that neither held (although some Native Americans fought alongside Texans for independence from Mexico), and Mexico eventually ceded even more land claims to the United States after the short-lived Spanish-American war. In attempting to navigate these various developments, the solution proposed by the United States was not one of forced assimilation into a caste system (Mexico) or forced absorption by severing Indigenous family and cultural ties (Canada), but separation with the creation of reservations. The concept had merit but was short-lived as settler disputes, tribal disputes, and competition for resources eventually came to an inevitable conclusion — but one made indefensible by Grant for attempting to renegotiate a treaty after gold was discovered in the Black Hills. When renegotiations failed, Grant opted to use force. Although an easy, quick read, Killing Crazy Horse is not for the faint of heart as both sides turned toward brutal and barbaric practices to exact a psychological tool on each other as much as a physical one. It provides a reasonably balanced glimpse into what happened and why, with critical judgments primarily reserved for Monroe and Grant policies. Almost surprisingly, Andrew Jackson is seen much fairer and favorably than many cast him today. And although not explicitly, the book dispels any notion that Mexico is somehow innocent in its affairs with Native Americans. Five stars from a descendant of Native Americans.

Actually a 4.5. Once again these two have created a historical book that is fun to read and yet informative. Note on formatting, if you read the hard copy the foot notes are at the bottom of each page. In the kindle versions the "Footnote Section" is between the primary story and the "Afterword" sections.. To read the "Afterword" you need to get past the "Footnote" section. I know not everyone reads the footnotes. Although the primary title is "Killing Crazy Horse" the subtitle "The Merciless Indian Wars In America" is a more accurate one for content of this book. The book takes the reader from The Fort Minn's massacre by the Redsticks in Alabama in 1813 up to the deaths of the more prominent Native American leaders in the early 1900s. If you still believe that the US Civil War was about states rights and not the rights of southern states to own slaves, this might not be the book for you. It goes into the many atrocities committed by all sides, Americans, Mexicans and Native Americans but does not get into the history of every major incident going back to the first meetings of the groups. I thought there was a good balance of historical people and events. However, like it or not, agree or not, the core issue of 200+ years of conflict between the groups was about land, money and power. The authors put the core issues out in the open, not in a politically correct way but in a historical prospective...... fact driven. I really liked how they gave credit to the Native American leaders for being more than "Cowboy Movie Indians" and how in many cases they just didn't have the resources to continue fighting so they were forced to surrender or die, along with their entire tribe/band. That's what good leaders are forced to do sometimes. I have never liked how Andrew Jackson treated the Native Americans after they had agreed to live peacefully, and did so in many eastern states. However, I had never really thought about the roll/mindset of other presidents that held the office during this period of American history. None of them were particularly kind or understanding when it came down to land for voters vs. Native Americans. The terms "so long as the grass grows and the wind blows" were outweighed by gold strikes, western expansion and cultural differences. If you are looking for a "fair and balanced" history written in an easy to read, enjoyable book format, you will like this book.

Interesting facts about famous characters in history

This reader has long been impressed with the historical series of books by authors Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard. They are exceptionally well-researched and well-written. Having now finished their recently released “Killing Crazy Horse”, this book is in a class by itself and for this reader the top non-fiction book of 2020. What makes the O’Reilly & Dugard book special, is that in 288 pages, one is left with an incredible concise knowledge of that era. Most certainly will reading this book make one want to continue the study of these tribes and events. Interest in Native Americans began for this reader as a young boy, standing with his parents and siblings on the battlefield of Little Bighorn in Montana, where George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry Regiment were defeated by the forces of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. 268 Americans died that day in June, 1876. “Killing Crazy Horse” provides an excellent examination of that battle, especially in what went wrong. This reader was fortunate to have read “Killing Crazy Horse” on the back verandah of his mountain home in Navajo County, Arizona. Within minutes he can be at the Pinetop Safeway or at Eddie’s Country Store in Lakeside shopping with Apaches, Navajo’s and locals. In 50-minutes he can be having lunch at Arrowhead Café on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. What a difference it is from those days in the late 1800s described in this book. At the end of this book, in the Sources section, the authors wisely advise visiting the many landmarks of Native American history, that is so helpful when doing historical research. This reader and his wife have been to many of the locations mentioned in this book, and are especially fond of visiting Apache Pass in Cochise County, Arizona. To stand where Cochise and Geronimo stood and traveled with their warriors is powerful. To stand on the site where the Butterfield Overland Mail Company had their building handling the stage coaches that passed through the Apache Pass, allows one to visualize what it must have been like. The water from a stream that Cochise drank from in the Apache Pass, and later used by the soldiers at Fort Bowie, is still there. The graveyard where Geronimo buried his son is still there. You can enter a wickiup (teepee) that is similar to those used by the Chiricahua Indians. One county over from Cochise County are the ruins of Fort Buchanan, from which Cochise had escaped. This reader’s land is but a short few minutes away, land that it is believed that Cochise had crossed. Fort Buchanan is not opened to the public, as it is on private land, but Fort Bowie is open, although mostly ruins. When finishing this book, one reflects on so many issues from the 1800s. Taking land owned by Native Americans. The constant wars. The federal government going back on agreements. Excessive killing of Native Americans by the federal government (Wounded Knee). Thank you, Mr. O’Reilly. Thank you, Mr. Dugard. I wish this book was required reading in our high schools. It is needed.

As a long time fan, I find nothing new here....just an excellent read. The authors (O'R/D) don't write history, they tell it. This book is another addition in the long established 'Killing' series where the reader is pulled into the storyline very much like the very old CBS History Series 'You Are There'. The reader will gain a very powerful grip on the reality of what was America's westward expansion and the tragedies involved for native Americans. After reading the book, I came away with a much more sympathetic view for native Americans and their horrid treatment by the American government and the American people. The book itself is a very smooth, easy read but loaded with facts and insight nonetheless. The chapters are short and digestible, with plenty of pause points for a more languid reader. Plus, as always, the footnotes are just excellent and add so much to the story.....they are very strategically placed and provide a vivid (human) focus on important details that often escape more academically disposed authors. My only caution.....the authors are not out to 'study' the history in any systematic fashion, so they choose to vault around the entire subject through time and space (geography) with focus on key events and people. But, to be fair, the book very fairly handles many key personalities of the period from all sides of the story. A reader may not appreciate this technique and needs to be prepared for it. Again, this is not a text book but can be a valid addition to any school curriculum if part of a broader study of American history.

Excellent read on the Indian wars and military of the late 1800's. Very factual, concise, and detailed. If you like reading history this is definitely a book for you.