Sitting Bull, Champion of the Sioux: A Biography

by Stanley Vestal

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Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Westerns, Native American, American History

384 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1957

About the author

Walter Stanley Vestal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley...

Reviews

[Vic Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vestal's bio suffers from what so many books about Native Americans suffer from; everything is interpreted through the lens of the author, namely a white scholar and/or writer. Many of the stories related contain quotes, feelings, and actions the author could not have any first-hand knowledge of leaving the line between biography and fiction blurred. The basic facts are, of course, included but it is left a complete mystery how the author could possibly "quote" those never interviewed or relate the inner feelings of Sitting Bull or his family and friends. There is a large element of what the author believed, or wanted to believe, instead of solid research. I was given this book by a family member along with several boxes off similar books on various famous Native Americans written in the 50's, 60's, and 70' that follow a similar pattern. I intend to read as many as possible. Hopefully, they don't all flounder on these same shoals.

[Petter Nordal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has two great virtues not often found together in history books:

First, the author has taken great pains not only to be historically accurate even when others have written slander and lies, but he explains how he came to the conclusions he drew. This book could not have been written today, since Vestal could not have interviewed so many people who were witnesses.

Second, it is beautifully readable. The story is engaging enough, but the prose is lucid and lively as well.

If you want to know who Sitting Bull was, you will need to read this book.

[Jessica DeWitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book primarily to scan it for genealogical information. The book is more of a collection of chronological narrative short stories about Sitting Bull's life (particularly in the first half) than a traditional biography. It should be noted that Walter Stanley Campbell (pen name Stanley Vestal) did have personal relationships with Sitting Bull's nephews and other Dakota and Lakota and did consult them directly for much of the text. This book should be read critically though. Originally published in 1932, Campbell's biography should be considered both a biography of Sitting Bull and as an example of settler writing on Indigenous peoples from the first half of the twentieth century.

[Brook Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book, based upon research and interviews done by writer Stanley Vestal in the first half of the 20th century. Vestal became close to Sitting Bull's aging nephews and interviewed them exhaustively to compile this work.

Both the history of westward expansion as it pertains to Native Americans as well described traditions are touched upon. Though I was reading it for my own research, I found it to be both helpful and most intriguing.

History has always belonged to the winners, but Vestal has presented the Indians' own story to balance out the narrative.

Well-written and well-done.

[Isabelle Zazaboum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une biographie qu’il faut prendre le temps de lire ! L’auteur a fait un travail de recherche admirable et toutes ses sources semblaient plutôt fiables. Très intéressante et qui donne une autre vision des SIoux, elle reste malgré tout complexe ne serait-ce que par le fait que les indiens changeaient de nom selon avec qui ils étaient, leur âge et la tribu dans laquelle ils séjournaient !

Manifestement Sitting Bull était un homme qui sortait de l’ordinaire par son magnanisme, son charisme et sa sagesse ! Il n’était en rien manichéen, à l’inverse de beaucoup d’autres chefs et savait faire la différence entre les blancs agressifs et ceux dont ils ne risquaient rien.

Tout ça ne l’empêchait en rien d’attaquer en tête, de tuer et de scalper ! Il y a une chose que je retiens et qui m’a énormément étonnée, c’est que la bravoure des Sioux est mesurée en fonction des “coups” portés aux ennemis ! Non pas en tirant, mais en frappant l’ennemi avec l’arme ou à main nue, donc en arriver à une situation de corps à corps.

Pacifiste avant tout, tant que les traités étaient respectés, il était aussi le Grand Chef des indiens des plaines capable de lancer des attaques d’envergures pour faire valoir ses droits. Ce qui pour nous était la tribu Sioux s’avère être un amalgame fluctuant de tribus avec des particularités distinctes.

Cette biographie est aussi l’histoire de ce peuple qui a été trahi, massacré, vendu et affamé alors qu’avec un chef comme Sitting Bull la cohabitation aurait été possible mais, s’il n’a pas été le seul à vouloir la paix, l’envie, le profit et le mépris des indiens ont été plus forts !

#SittingBull #NetGalleyFrance

[Kt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting, but author does romanticize his writing about Sitting Bull. Would definitely recommend this book.

[Lyric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting take on the life and times of the great Indian chief.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I liked this the best of the more than several books I've read on Sitting Bull.

[Brian Littlehale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vestal did a great job reseaching and writing this from sioux perspective. It also shows the dispicable lack of understanding of our government. A great read!

[Ruth Ellen]

I liked this story much better than the other one. It was a smoother read. I wish Sitting Bull has lived longer. He was an very interesting man.

[Ravi Pulipaka · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was very interesting to know about the Indian chief Sitting Bull