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 enlarge | Author: Stephen E. Ambrose
Publisher: Anchor
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy Used: $4.20
You Save: $12.75 (75%)
New (34) Used (57) Collectible (1) from $4.20
Avg. Customer Rating:  53 reviews
Sales Rank: 43981
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st Anchor Books Trade Pbk. Ed
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 560
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.2
ISBN: 0385479662
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.820922
EAN: 9780385479660
ASIN: 0385479662
Publication Date: May 1, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Refreshingly old June 6, 2006
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Ambrose' style is mesmerizing, and the detail uncovered by his own research as well as pulled from others is impressive. Alas, he finds some difficulty in maintaining a consistent view of his main characters, and contradictions are numerous.
Still, in spite of its flaws and many simplifications, an enjoyable read, likely to enlighten those have forgotten the price we were willing to pay to conquer the West. Moreover, a subtle reminder for the ones who still feel that the end justifies the means.
 History Jumps Off the Written Page December 6, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Crazy Horse and Custer by Stephen Ambrose tells a story that I just could not put down. Ambrose's details bring many of events (clash of cultures, railroads, politics, social customs, legal affairs, honesty and deceit, bravery and cowardice, on both sides etc.) of the period into attention-demanding focus, as he describes the backgrounds and the values, the goals and the abilities, of the two warriors. While the information about Custer and his wife (and other Army events and personalities) is interesting and provocative, I found Crazy Horse the more sympathetic and admirable of the two men. In fact, I now want to read Crazy Horse: The Strange Man Of The Oglalas by Mari Sandoz to find out more about Crazy Horse and his culture.
The book is excellent for demonstrating the value of understanding the varied viewpoints of the different participants in a common struggle for "doing what they think is right."
This book also cites Frontiersmen in Blue (1973) by Robert M. Utley, a very well done and interesting overview of the U.S. Army and their efforts to push aside Native Americans in the name of American progress. This is a book that I read many years ago, but enjoyed pulling it out for reference as I read Ambrose's work recently.
It has been three years since Ambrose died; though I wish that we could have had him as an historian "longer," I am glad for what he has left us in the form of his excellent historical storytelling.
I recommend that you read this book; Ambrose will make your "peek into the past" exciting, vivid, and compelling.
History October 30, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Ambrose has a flare for writing about History. The book was a pleassure to read, and it gave the intimate details of the life of two men (Custer and Crazy Horse). Both warriors had more in common than imaginable. As a historical refernce, it covers both the naidir of the Native American experience and the trials and tribulations of westward expansion. Although critics accuse Ambrose of copying other authors' works; I still say it's worth reading.
enjoyable read September 18, 2005
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
In this book Ambrose is not attempting to break new ground in historical research. He begins with an interesting premise; Crazy Horse and Custer are the two most recognizable figures of the Indian Wars. How did their lives lead to this intersection of men and historical event. This creates an interesting , if artificial framework for the events leading to Custer's Last Stand.
Perhaps the most interesting thing to me was how both Custer and Crazy Horse were products of their cultures and were unable to understand the culture of the other. Custer in particular was doomed by the inability of the Army to understand the reality of life on the plains with the Indians and their insistence in placing incompetents in charge, and their refusal to listen to anyone who told them different opinions than what they wanted to hear. Perhaps just as jarring was their indifference to getting it right. Sound familiar anyone?
An enjoyable read
Two American Heros Match Up July 10, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I was very impressed with Ambrose's book. He is meticulous about the details and gives such a great glimpse of what was happening in the lives of George Armstrong Custer and Crazy Horse, from childhood to their deaths. Each man was very interesting, charismatic, and fearless. They came together, both believing they were invincible, at the Little Big Horn. They had been invincible before on numerous occasions, but this time, someone had to lose. I really appreciate Ambrose as he lets the reader know when he is giving facts that are backed up by historical evidence, and when he is simply speculating. The idea of Custer desiring a run at the presidency was very interesting to me. I recommend this book to any reader. Whether you are interested in History or not, you will find many things enjoyable about this book.
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