The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend [J0397]

2013 PB in nice clean condition. This acclaimed New York Times bestselling biography of the legendary Sioux warrior Red Cloud, is “a page-turner with remarkable immediacy…and the narrative sweep of a great Western” (The Boston Globe). Red Cloud was the only American Indian in history to defeat the United States Army in a war, forcing the government to sue for peace on his terms. At the peak of Red Cloud’s powers the Sioux could claim control of one-fifth of the contiguous United States and the loyalty of thousands of fierce fighters. But the fog of history has left Red Cloud strangely obscured. Now, thanks to the rediscovery of a lost autobiography, and painstaking research by two award-winning authors, the story of the nineteenth century’s most powerful and successful Indian warrior can finally be told. Bob Drury and Tom Clavin restore Red Cloud to his rightful place in American history in a sweeping and dramatic narrative based on years of primary research. As they trace the events leading to Red Cloud’s War, they provide intimate portraits of the many lives Red Cloud touched—mountain men such as Jim Bridger; US generals like William Tecumseh Sherman, who were charged with annihilating the Sioux; fearless explorers, such as the dashing John Bozeman; and the memorable warriors whom Red Cloud groomed, like the legendary Crazy Horse. And at the center of the story is Red Cloud, fighting for the very existence of the Indian way of life.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "It does a good job of being balanced and not just run into the two major myths of the 'Peaceful Savage' or 'Dishonorable Savage.' "; "Excellently written. Great historic narrative, not only of Red Cloud, but of the Native American culture and society. Dispels much of what we were taught in school about the "taming of the west" and what we saw in western themed movies and TV shows. A bit graphic on the depiction of the American/European and Native American killings, but necessary for the narrative."; "Wow! What a great book for anyone who loves history, especially that of warriors. This was an easy-read and easy to follow the characters."; "Great read about a great man. It goes into details of the progression of the Souix nation and sub tribes. Some history books tend to be boring but I could not put this down."