| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| paazau |
Posted - April 20 2006 : 8:02:30 PM
I've just finished reading a fabulous book, "Autobiography of Red Cloud: War Leader of the Oglalas" edited by R. Eli Paul, published by Montana Historical Society Press. The story of how Red Cloud's autobiography came to be is as interesting (although a bit bogged-down in spots) as Red Cloud's lifestory. Truly worth reading IMHO.
Here is a review from Amazon.com:
The first biography in many years of Sioux chief Red Cloud was Robert Larson's Red Cloud (LJ 4/1/97). Now comes Red Cloud's autobiography. Editor Paul, the historian of the Nebraska State Historical Society, recounts the strange twists of fate that overtook this document. In 1893, Red Cloud was encouraged to give an account of his life, which was then recorded by others. The manuscript was given to Addison Sheldon, then director of the Nebraska State Historical Society, who did nothing with it except have it copied in 1932 by his assistant, Mari Sandoz. Because of its obscure background, its ending in the early 1860s, and the negative images of Red Cloud (Sandoz, for instance, cast him as a villain in her Crazy Horse, published in 1942), the manuscript continued to languish. The autobiography is an exciting glimpse of the life of the Plains Indians before their defeat and removal to reservation life. |
| 1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| joseph wiggs |
Posted - February 10 2007 : 9:43:02 PM
I believe that Red Cloud exemplified the best characteristics of his people which was the antithesis of the "Hollywood" genre that delegated the "Red man" with the lowly attributes of a Neanderthal Man, only capable of responding vocally with a series of "grunts" and "Ughs."
On June 6th., at a Peace Council, Red Cloud had the following to say:
"Yesterday we talked about small matters, and today we want to talk about big matters. My people on both sides of the road have bows and arrows, and we came in here and told you all you wanted. We are 21 bands. ALL WE WANT IS PEACE! We have come here for YOU to give us instructions that we MAY live!
Subject to the might of the U. S. military, this man simply wished that he and his people would be left alone to live their lives as they wish. Is that not the wish of all mankind? |
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![The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]](images/wwwboard.gif "The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]")
