Helpful Score: 1
A very entertaining historical novel, weaving a (fictional?) central character in with actual people and events of the American West. Jack Crabbe encounters Sitting Bull, Wild Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, General Custer and others, and is present at many memorable events.
This was made into a popular movie in 1969 starring Dustin Hoffman.
This was made into a popular movie in 1969 starring Dustin Hoffman.
Much better than the movie.
I love this book. I've already read it 4 times, and hope to reread. Each time I read it, I find a new nugget of information or description. It was the door that led me to exploring more serious works by and about Native Americans.
Excellent novel of the west during the time of Custer, Wild Bill Hickok, and Wyatt Earp. This, of course, is the story of Jack Crabb who was adopted into the Cheyenne tribe as a young boy and went on to be the only white survivor of the Little Bighorn massacre. This novel was made into one of my all-time favorite movies starring Dustin Hoffman. And even though the move was superlative, the novel is even better -- fleshing out the character of Crabb, his life among the Cheyenne, his encounters with Hickok, and his time spent with the 7th Cavalry and the climatic battle at the Little Big Horn. The novel gives some wonderful and accurate descriptions of Cheyenne and frontier life. A very high overall recommendation!
Most people know the movie better (especially the older crowd). However, its a fun book to read even much later.
