Crazy Horse and Custer: The Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors

Indeed the underlying premise that these were two great warriors destined to meet on the field of battle is the stuff that drama, not real history, is made of. By all accounts the Indians didn't even know Custer was there until the fighting was over, and while Crazy Horse was known as a great warrior amongst his people, there were many respected warriors on the field that day. Crazy Horse was, at most, a first among equals.

Indeed, in trying to popularize his history, Ambrose makes the common mistake of portraying Crazy Horse as a general leading his troops into battle. Phrases like "Crazy Horse stuck to his command post," may help to bring the battle to life for WWII veterans, but it is not a truly accurate rendering of how Indians fought.

Ambose does do a good job in the first two chapters of showing the vast differences in the cultures these to men grew up in. For this I give the book two stars. It's also not a bad introduction for someone who has no previous knowledge of the topic. Only, however, if it encourages them to go on to read better and more accurate works.


Really caught my imagination   June 16, 2000
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I read this book back in 1990 and it absolutely floored me. The one overall impression I had then as I have now when I revisit this novel, is that of wonderment. This book is absolutely overwhelming in historical facts and knowledge, while it draws you in like a book of fiction. It is so well written that by the end, you feel like you have read a roaring western. I have read most of Ambroses books, and they continue to impress me, but this book, with its indepth knowledge into the two main characters, continues to overwhelm me.


Two excellent biographies in one book   May 22, 2000
 6 out of 9 found this review helpful

Stephen Ambrose is a military historian, so it is notsurprising that he focusses on the talents of his two protagonists asleaders both on and off the battlefield. Along the way he draws comparisons between them that are quite striking. Both held considerable power in their societies at a relatively young age, were disgraced and yet were able to overcome. Both also met a tragic end, though Crazy Horse's was far more so than Custer; who at least died doing what he enjoyed. Also appreciated is Ambrose's take on the forcible relocating of the Plains tribes to reservations that is an honest assessment free from any "liberal guilt." This is an important work from one of America's best history authors.


Very Disappointed   January 16, 2000
 12 out of 14 found this review helpful

Clearly, this book is not Ambrose's finest work. It added nothing new to the library of books written about these two characters; rather, Ambrose's portrayal was fatalistic, over-romanticized, unrealistic, and in places, inaccurate. If you are looking for information about Custer, Crazy Horse, and the Little Bighorn, there are much better sources.

I've given the book two stars, but only because Ambrose deserves the benefit of the doubt -- this was one of his earlier works and his later titles, including "Undaunted Courage", "Band of Brothers", and "D-Day" are excellent.


Must read, entertaining history!   April 30, 1999
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I really enjoyed this book! In my opinion, much better than his WW2 book, "Band of Brothers" I am unfamiliar with US western history & this account left me wanting to know more. Ambrose deals with both central characters with an admirable objectivity. Rare in this type of "comparative" history. The war & battle sequences are described in a clear & exciting manner. The heavier political, social, historical developments are presented without detracting from the entertaining & fast moving account. Ambrose has a tendency towards a delivery that is occasionally too melodramatic & an over useage of colloquial language that seems slightly inappropriate for a serious history. Over all I found the book very well researched, gripping & an absolute delight to read. Highly recommended for lovers of military history. Deduct one star rating for the inclusion of the worst, smallest & almost uninterpretable maps I have encountered in print. Why did you let this happen Mr. Ambrose?