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Wooden Leg
389 pages, 2003
This is the adventurous story of Wooden Leg, a warrior who fought alongside Lakotas in their battle against Custer at Little Bighorn. Wooden Leg shares his experiences growing up on the Great Plains and learning how to be a Cheyenne man.
We hear from him about Cheyenne courtship, camp life, spirituality, and hunting; of skirmishes with Crows, Pawnees, and Shoshones; as well as of the Cheyennes' valiant but doomed resistance against the army of the United States.
In particular, Wooden Leg recalls the fight against Custer at Little Bighorn with great detail and conviction—a controversial contribution that stands as one of the first published Native accounts of that battle. As an old man in his seventies, Wooden Leg related his story to Thomas B. Marquis (1865-1928), an agency physician for Northern Cheyennes.
In Wooden Leg, Thomas Bailey Marquis gives us a deep insight into the life and culture of the Native Americans. He explores their traditions, beliefs, and way of life, providing a unique perspective that is often overlooked in history books. This book is a great resource if you want to learn more about Native American culture.
One of the key events in the book is the Battle of Little Bighorn. Marquis provides a detailed account of this historical event from the perspective of Wooden Leg, a Native American warrior. This gives readers a chance to see the battle from a different viewpoint, which is both enlightening and thought-provoking.
Wooden Leg also explores the impact of colonization on the Native American tribes. The author doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of how the arrival of settlers disrupted the lives of the indigenous people. This book encourages readers to research and understand the effects of colonization on indigenous cultures.
Thomas Bailey Marquis uses the personal narrative of Wooden Leg to tell the story. This approach makes the book more engaging and relatable. It's a reminder of the power of personal narratives in understanding history and different cultures.
The book is not just about history and culture, it's also a story of resilience and survival. Despite the challenges and hardships, Wooden Leg and his people managed to survive and preserve their culture. This book inspires readers to look into their own resilience and learn from the strength of others.
