Red Hawk's Account of Custer's Last Battle: The Battle of the Little Bighorn, 25 June 1876

by Paul Goble

A Sioux warrior's account of the events surrounding the Battle of the Little Bighorn

Genres: History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, American History

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Paul Goble was an award winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has won both the Caldecott Medal and The Library of Congress' Children's Book of the Year Award.
He gave his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.
Goble, a native of England, studied at the Central School of Art in London. He became a United States citizen in 1984. Goble's life-long fascination with Native Americans of the plains began during his childhood when he became intrigued with their spirituality and culture.
His illustrations accurately depict Native American clothing, customs and surroundings in brilliant color and detail. Goble researched ancient stories and retold them for his young audiences in a manner sympathetic to Native American ways.
Goble lived with his wife in Rapid City, SD.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to play cowboys and Indians with my brothers when I was a kid. I always pretended to be Indian because they wore brighter colors. Of course, since I was a girl, the Indians always lost. But it’s pleasing now, as an adult, to find a children’s book that relates the true story of a real and famous battle, from the viewpoint of a real Indian narrator. Who knew? They did indeed wear brighter colors, and they didn’t always lose.

Paul Goble’s beautiful book offers enticing images, drawn in an intriguingly linear style and full of complex details. The text combines a fictional first-person account with historical interludes to create a simple and complete retelling of Custer’s Last Battle. Together, the art and writing form a book designed to be read to children age six and up. The pictures will hold their interest for years to come, at least until they’re old enough to read the story themselves, making this the sort of book that becomes a favorite treasure through the years.

The book begins with a short message from 98-year-old Joe Medicine Crow, whose grandfather was a scout in the battle. The author gives his own introduction on the next page, describing the research and motivation behind his book, and proving it truly is well-founded and well-researched. After a brief reminder of the background to the events—useful for adult readers like myself who may not be too familiar with what really happened or why—the fictional Red Hawk begins his tale.
“I am Oglala,” he says. “I was fifteen winters old when Long Hair attacked our camp… I was in that fight.” And so, straight away, young listeners are pulled into a world of tipis arrayed in circles, children playing, and horses grazing on the hills.

Comments in italics provide background to a story told with a convincing voice and vivid detail. The language is simple. The thoughts are authentic. And the wise child will listen and learn while being entertained. A story that invites us to see our past and present through more than one eye, to recognize depth in our sharing of the land, and to value family and home, loyalty and love, this tale treats friend and enemy with equal respect, paying homage to all who made North America their own.

A valuable addition to any child’s library, or adult collection of books to read with children, this book combines wise introspection with honest research and turns an already exciting tale into a lesson for all.

Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher with a request for my honest review.

[cloudyskye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very impressive, with beautiful pictures. I read it in one go, and I'm sure my mad-about-Indians 8-year-old nephew will enjoy it, too.
(We side with the Indians, of course. ;))

[Kim Childress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally appeared on ChildressInk.com, on Multicultural Children's Book Day #ReadYourWorld2017

I am honored to have been asked to share these titles and give tribute to an author and artist who will be missed in children's publishing. I only just learned of his passing, and even before then, one of the reasons I love the updated edition of Custer's Last Battle is to see the book as the author and artist, Paul Goble, first envisioned. Goble was able to revise his text and completely re-illustrate this edition, as he, the artist, originally envisioned. Goble's passion for the American Indian, traditional, way of life shines through in both the story and art, which resembles drawings similar to found by Native Americans of the time period. His artistic vision, combined with decades of additional experience writing and illustrating, make this a wonderful collection to libraries. This updated edition also includes a foreword by Joe Medicine Crow, whose grandfather was one of Custer's own scouts.

The story of the Battle of Little Bighorn is told by a fictional character, "Red Hawk," a Lakota warrior, who relays the events of that infamous day from the point of view of a young, Native American about to become a "warrior". Throughout the fictional narrative, sidebars relay factual information about what happened that day, including actual battle details (which I found fascinating). Early chapter book readers and young middle grade readers will appreciate this retelling, with high appeal for reluctant readers and boys! Older readers will appreciate learning how the old battle formations failed against the ways of the Native Americans--which were later adopted by the Colonial Army.

While exploring, be sure to check out other books by Paul Goble and published by Wisdom Tales, like Horse Raid: The Making of a Warrior and Caldecott winner, The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses.

Custer's Last Battle: Red Hawk's Account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Written and Illustrated by Paul Goble, Wisdom Tales, New edition, August 2013, $16.95 (HC)

Age Range: 6 - 9 years
Genre: Blend of fiction and nonfiction, Native American Life, Battle of Little Bighorn, Custer, Native American and American History, Crazy Horse
ISBN-13: 978-1937786113

[Jessi · Rating 1 out of 5]

So let me get this straight. A white guy feels "drawn" to Indian culture and writes a bunch of children's books borrowing said culture, stereotypes of narrative voice, and alllllll these things that aren't his, taking work from Indigenous authors....and wins prizes for it. In the 21st century. Very cool.
Oh wait, no, that is dumb.
For more information, including cultural and historical inaccuracies in the book, please check out this post (this website is such a great resource!)

https://americanindiansinchildrenslit...

[James Zaksek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this version of something that I have been studying for awhile now. With my praise, also comes quite a bit of disappointment for how short this is. There is so much more to unpack in the history of what happened at the Little Bighorn and this book definitely does not do justice to that effect. I would have given this more stars if there was differing accounts offered in the form of stories being told other than Red Hawk's. I want to learn and understand more; this recalling of history from Red Hawk is insightful, I just finished the book wanting more.

[Feiraco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another marvelous book of Paul Goble and Joe Medicine Crow on American natives. I’ve read Brave Eagle's account of the Fetterman fight, which I liked a little better than Custer’s Last Battle. Both books have great illustrations and describe their battle in a personal and understandable way. It is intended for children, but I liked it as an adult. It’s a short read (10-15 minutes), but well worth the purchase if you like the subject.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Goble's illustrations, he explains his style in the author's introduction to this book. While this is technically a fiction story, Goble has taken generated his account from many Native sources. Up until he wrote this book, there was not a Native accounting of the battle that had been published. While it doesn't begin to encompass all aspects of the battle, it is a children's book and gives a general accounting as told through the eyes of a fictional young Sioux warrior.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of Custer’s last battle as told by Red Hawk (a fictional composite of historical accounts), which describes the greatest triumph of Native Americans over Anglo aggressors—a necessary narrative which corrects false accounts that portray Custer as the hero at The Battle of Little Bighorn. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull deserve that honor, if warfare merits such recognition.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book!

[PottWab Regional Library]

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[K.L. Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning about history is interesting and quite fulfilling. Award winning author Paul Goble takes readers on a journey through American history which involves a battle between Native Americans and the Seventh U.S. Cavalry in 1876. This battle took place on the Little Bighorn River.

This retelling is based from actual accounts of witnesses and Native American resources. Joe Medicine Crow, at 98 years, was alive and met with Cheyenne, Arapaho, Sioux, and the Crow scouts who were at the battle. His grandfather, White Man Runs Him, was an Indian scout for George Armstrong Custer, a national hero of the Civil War.

“Sitting Bull had his circle of Hunkpapas at the southern end of the encampment. Black Moon and Gall were with him. That summer Sitting Bull was chief over all the others and he led us to the valley to get away from the soldiers whom he knew were somewhere looking for our camp. Sitting Bull was no coward. But fighting is for warriors and his first thoughts were for the safety of the women and children.”

Along with this amazing story are colorful illustrations. The artwork provides a sense of the battle withholding the gore that would have accompanied the actual events. Readers will learn Native American terms as the story unfolds from a fictitious character named Oglala. Parents and teachers can utilize this tool to open up dialogue about American history, Native American history and the culture that exists even today.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a commemorative edition that has a foreword by Joe Medicine Crow, whose grandfather was one of Custer's scouts and was present at the battle. This edition also has an introduction by the author that explains how he pieced together details from many different first-hand accounts to create the book. Mr. Goble used published accounts of Native Americans who had taken part in the battle and blended them into a narrative told by his fictional character, Red Hawk. This approach makes the story seem to be a tribal tale told over and over, working with what the teller himself experienced and what he has been told by others who were there. The illustrations are also done in a style that mimics tribal artwork Mr. Goble had seen in museums. The style is called "ledgerbook art" because it was originally created in books or ledgers made to record the accounts of traders out west.

I would recommend this book to students interested in American History, Native Americans, or military history. It would work well in a social studies unit on westward expansion or for art teachers covering Native American arts and crafts.

The e-book copy I read was provided as an advance copy from the publishers through NetGalley.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully bound book - for public and private libraries

Gorgeous ledger-book artwork and an exciting accounting of Custer's Last Battle, are all done very well by Paul Goble. I could envision the artwork decorating tipis or war gear of the different Sioux tribes.

The fictionalized story is narrated by 15 year old Red Hawk, an Oglala Sioux, and feels very true-to-life.

Red Hawk's story is told in regular print in the book and in italicized print is the supposed happenings from the soldiers' point of view.

I especially liked the foreword of the book, written by 98 year old Joe Medicine Crow, whose grandfather, White Man Runs Him, was a scout for Custer at the battle.

I do wish there were page numbers in the book (none). It would be easier to reference back to if a child/adult was using this book as reference material.

Also, the vocabulary and some of the scenes during battle might not be appropriate for younger children. I would say that the book is better targeted to children 8 years old and above.

But, overall, this is a beautifully crafted book and tells the "other" side of Custer's Last Battle - the side we don't see too often in history books.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Wisdom Tales, in exchange for my honest review.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this thing sure is an interesting artifact. I was intrigued by the description of the book, so I entered a GoodReads Giveaway for a copy and was lucky enough to win.

This is structured as a children's book -- short, straightforward text with each 2-page layout dominated by stimulating imagery with comparatively less verbal content. It is not a very detailed story, and there's nothing I would call truly original about its actual content according to my own perspective and experience with related history and adult historical fiction.

However, the story is not an oversimplified or facile one. The reader gets a historically informed fictional account from an underrepresented perspective. And, this perspective speaks directly about big picture issues -- how events were shaped and interpreted by the narrator and his community. These interpretations, implicitly if not explicitly, are clearly depicted as being rooted in particular culture and history.

Make what you will of that. It's not like most books, I don't think, and nothing like my typical reading.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Hawk's Account of Custer's Last Battle
Goble, Paul
Colorful art, and historical information given from the Native Americans point of view. Paul Goble is one of the best children's authors on native american stories. He researched and found the story of the Native American survivors of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. How the assault was upon a large encampment of people attempting to avoid the white soldiers. And how the heat of battle can confuse the story. The information about the native point of view is hard to find in the history of the travels to the west. The fact that their story was over looked by history is not strange, but shows the ethnocentric ideals of the Westward movement.
This is a great book for teaching history, and the perceptions of those who record history.
The art work is based on native american drawings, and has many detailed cultural aspects that would have been overlooked by Non-Native artists.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a reformatted edition of Paul Goble's first book 'Red Hawk's Account of Custer's Last Battle.' Beautifully written, and of course , enhanced with the detailed and perfectly executed illustrations that Goble is known for. In this edition , the illustrations align to the text.
The account of the battle is told by the fictional Oglala, Red Hawk, and interspersed with the account of the battle from historians, who wrote from the General Reno and Custer perspective. The book concludes with a very good bibliography of books about the battle and the Cheyenne. There is an introduction from the author.
This is a wonderful book to teach an event in American history that has been so distorted by movies and authors who glamorized Custer. Reading Red Hawk's thoughts and emotions as the battle played out can be a lesson from the past that reaches into the future.

[Katie Bathke]

In the first page of the book is the authors note and then it gives you the background and then information on General Custer. The story begins with “Red Hawk begins” and he tells the rest of the story. There are not a lot of pictures in the book. It is mostly words. I would to recommend that the age group of children to read this book would be upper middle school like eighth grade. It is a lot of information and probably wouldn’t be an enjoyable book unless the child is very interested in General Custer. This book would be good to have if you are a history teacher in middle school.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I LOVED this account of the battle as told from a Lakota 15 year old warrior until I read the inside cover that the warrior was fictional?! The account of what happened seems accurate and thorough but why a fictional narrator whose Grandfather did NOT actually say "only the earth survives" as he handed his grandson his bow and arrows to go fight? I feel ripped off now! I got teary-eyed for nuthin!:)

[Jeff Bjorgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well illustrated children's book taking on the story of Custer's last stand from a young Lakotan Brave's perspective. Although the illustrations lose a bit of luster in its e-book format, they were still compelling to view, and the story was a page turner, leaving the reader with a sense of sadness on all accounts when considering the cost of ambition and arrogance.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An artistically pleasing historical telling of Cowboys and Indians. I was lucky enough to win this through Goodread's Giveaways for a friend of mine who is passionate on the subject. But even reading through this children's book I was delightfully entertained and would recommend it to readers of all ages.

[Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully illustrated children's history book! The reading was easy for my nephew to read, and he insisted I read it when he was done because he enjoyed it so much! I am glad I did because the writing is just as wonderful as the artwork! It was informative and interesting :)

I am so lucky to have won this book on goodreads!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nobody illustrates Native American tales like Paul Goble. How wonderful it is to see this book, Goble’s first, back in print! The fictionalized story of Custer’s Last Battle, told from the point of view of the Native American.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I opened this book, I wondered if Red Hawk had studied the Battle of Hastings and seen the Bayeux Tapestry or Japanese Samurai artwork of their battles. An impressive collection of work that should be in every US class where history is taught.

[Dalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from netgalley. I read this to my grandson and we had fun with it. It was a nice telling with nice illustrations. We enjoyed the story.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. This is a fairly in depth description of the battle from the perspective of one of the Indians. It made history come alive for my son.

[Michelle's Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book cover is on my Pinterest board and my blog, Michelle Dragalin’s Journey.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book produced from the first person accounting of these historical events is interesting. The artwork sets the mood and the details of the story flow like a storyteller would present them.