Custer's Last Battle: Red Hawk's Account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn

by Paul Goble, Joe Medicine Crow (Foreword by)

Overview

On the morning of June 25, 1876, a force of 700 men from the 7th US Calvary led by General George Armstrong Custer attacked an Indian encampment on the banks of the Little Big Horn River. Unbeknownst to Custer, he faced the combined might of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, led by their greatest chiefs, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Advised by his Indian scouts not to attack, the foolhardy general ignored their warnings and trusted to "Custer's luck" one last time. . .

In this commemorative edition of his first published book, Goble recounts the tale of Custer's last battle through the eyes of Red Hawk, a fictional young Lakota warrior. Presented in the shorter format that Goble originally intended, and combined with a new author's introduction and a foreword by Joe Medicine Crow, the Crow tribal historian whose grandfather was one of Custer's own scouts, readers will marvel at this tale of honor and bravery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781937786113
Publisher:	Wisdom Tales
Publication date:	08/07/2013
Edition description:	Special Edition
Pages:	44
Sales rank:	154,037
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.45(h) x 0.45(d)
Lexile:	940L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Paul Goble is an award-winning author and illustrator of over 40 children's books. His book, The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses, won the prestigious Caldecott Medal. He lives with his wife in Rapid City, SD.

Dr. Joe Medicine Crow is the Crow Tribal Historian and the oldest living man of the Crow tribe. Also an author, his books include, A Handbook of Crow Indian Laws and Treaties, and From the Heart of Crow Country. In 2009, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. He lives on the Crow Reservation in Lodge Grass, Montana.

Editorial Reviews

[It is] beautifully illustrated and written with verve and authenticity.... The pictures are among the best I've seen in any children's history, and the realities conveyed to the young readers are the closest to the final layer of truth that one can hope for.

The New York Times

Goble writes with respect and authenticity.

San Francisco Chronicle

Custer’s Last Battle is a gorgeously illustrated, fictionalized yet well-researched account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn told from the point of view of a fifteen-year-old Ogala Sioux warrior. Though brief, each of the forty-four pages is enlivened by beautifully rendered, full-color ledger-book art, with drawings presented in a relatively bloodless manner suitable for the youthful audience at which it is aimed.… First published more than forty years ago, this new version by Wisdom Tales includes not only revised and updated text but also a brighter, more brilliant remastering of the illustrations.… Although aimed at a young market, and described by the publisher as suitable for children as young as six, Custer’s Last Battle is a must for collectors or interested readers of books.

ForeWord Reviews

Custer's Last Battle: Red Hawk's Account Of The Battle Of The Little Bighorn provides a fine new edition of Goble's first published book, and uses a fictional young Lakota warrior to explain and retell the Indian side of the battle. This edition features the original layout intended in the author's initial design, includes full digitized color for the first time, scanned from the original artwork housed among collections in the South Dakota Art Museum, and includes a revised, updated narrative and new introduction. The result is a top pick for any picturebook reader at grades 5-6 who holds good reading skills but retains an affection for the picturebook format.

Midwest Book Review

Custer’s Last Battle is a gorgeously illustrated, fictionalized yet well-researched account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn told from the point of view of a fifteen-year-old Ogala Sioux warrior. Though brief, each of the forty-four pages is enlivened by beautifully rendered, full-color ledger-book art, with drawings presented in a relatively bloodless manner suitable for the youthful audience at which it is aimed.… First published more than forty years ago, this new version by Wisdom Tales includes not only revised and updated text but also a brighter, more brilliant remastering of the illustrations.… Although aimed at a young market, and described by the publisher as suitable for children as young as six, Custer’s Last Battle is a must for collectors or interested readers of books.

Foreword Reviews

10/01/2013
Gr 4–8—In this stunning new edition of Goble's Red Hawk's Account of Custer's Last Battle (Univ. of Nebraska, 1969), the author has modified the text to reflect the changing opinions of the battle and the benefit of new research. Punctuated by italicized explanations, Red Hawk's account of his encounter with General Custer and his white soldiers draws readers in and keeps a hold on them throughout the entire battle. Joe Medicine Crow's compelling foreword gives a strong Indian perspective and lends accuracy to the many versions of the events of that day. New digitized illustrations, done in the ledger-book style that Goble has beautifully mastered, add brilliant color and detail to the compelling and riveting tale. While a work of fiction, Red Hawk's narrative is based on the compilation of many witnesses to the battle and is told in an honest and direct voice. A refreshing update that retains its original passion and bravery.—Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

School Library Journal

"Beautifully illustrated and written with verve and authenticity. . . . The pictures are among the best I’ve seen in any children’s history, and the realities conveyed to the young readers are the closest to the final layer of truth that one can hope for."—New York Times

New York Times