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Rating: 
Summary: Almost fabulous
Review: A complete, well-researched, well-rounded but dry portrayal of this historic figure and time period. Marrin succeeds in conveying that a Lakota's way of viewing the world and his place in it differed from the white man's, and thus our own. Sitting Bull is portrayed as a great leader and warrior from the viewpoint of his people, but we are led to see how his actions were understood and portrayed differently by contemporary journalists and historians. Not as moving as Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, but evokes the same sense of remorseful wonder at the needless pain, suffering and loss of life imposed on Native Americans by the United States' "Manifest Destiny" policy and those who carried it out.
Rating:
Summary: Almost fabulous
Review: A complete, well-researched, well-rounded but dry portrayal of this historic figure and time period. Marrin succeeds in conveying that a Lakota's way of viewing the world and his place in it differed from the white man's, and thus our own. Sitting Bull is portrayed as a great leader and warrior from the viewpoint of his people, but we are led to see how his actions were understood and portrayed differently by contemporary journalists and historians. Not as moving as Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, but evokes the same sense of remorseful wonder at the needless pain, suffering and loss of life imposed on Native Americans by the United States' "Manifest Destiny" policy and those who carried it out.
Rating: 
Summary: A Heartwarming Biography
Review: I thought that this book was a very good book. You could read this book and never put it down. This was a great book for an assignment or just for fun. They tell a lot about his biggest battle " The Little-Bighorn". If you like really good books you should read this.
Rating:
Summary: A Heartwarming Biography
Review: I thought that this book was a very good book. You could read this book and never put it down. This was a great book for an assignment or just for fun. They tell a lot about his biggest battle " The Little-Bighorn". If you like really good books you should read this.
Rating: 
Summary: Outdated Sources and Colonial Attitude
Review: Marrin's book makes significant use of outdated sources, many before 1970, as well as romantic photographs and illustrations. Although the book is impressive for a young adult audience, with its bibliography and textbook feel, the lack of current scholarship on Sitting Bull is apparent as one reads through the chapters. I would not recommend this book to any age group. The perpetuation of colonial attitudes is prevalent in Marrin's book. As well, the lack of Native voice is apparent. Marrin often negates Lakota spirituality and projects the romantic, utopic Indian with phrases like "Oh no! He was none other than the buffalo god!" The heavy (and skewed) emphasis on war and killing in the middle chapters begs for historical qualification- and makes for barbarism for children who have little frame of reference. This book suceeds in keeping American Indian people in the colonial time warp and does little to portray Sitting Bull in an humanistic fashion.
Rating:
Summary: A Heartwarming Biography
Review: This is a fine history book for Young Adults, in the tradition of Russell Freedman's prizewinning photobiographies. Carefully researched and footnoted, the book also includes a list of further readings and an index. The body of the book is clearly written and substantial - indeed, adults interested in the subject would also do well with this one. It contains many direct quotes from primary sources, along with many fascinating photographs of the people involved, and hand-drawn illustrations by Sioux people who witnessed these events. The facts are presented in a straightforward manner, and while there is natural sympathy towards the unjustly dispossessed tribes herein, overall the book is remarkably balanced. Depth is given to people such as Custer and Major James Walsh. I like the way readers may draw their own conclusions rather than having them forced. There are few clear heroes or villains here, rather there is historical truth and tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough
Review: This is a fine history book for Young Adults, in the tradition of Russell Freedman's prizewinning photobiographies. Carefully researched and footnoted, the book also includes a list of further readings and an index. The body of the book is clearly written and substantial - indeed, adults interested in the subject would also do well with this one. It contains many direct quotes from primary sources, along with many fascinating photographs of the people involved, and hand-drawn illustrations by Sioux people who witnessed these events. The facts are presented in a straightforward manner, and while there is natural sympathy towards the unjustly dispossessed tribes herein, overall the book is remarkably balanced. Depth is given to people such as Custer and Major James Walsh. I like the way readers may draw their own conclusions rather than having them forced. There are few clear heroes or villains here, rather there is historical truth and tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: In-depth, thought-provoking, excellent biography
Review: This is the most balanced and in depth book I have ever read about Sitting Bull, and, in fact, about his people. I read a lot of children's books, and I feel this one deserves an award for the well-balanced look at both the Native American and the expanding USA nation view of the place of the American Indians in the new culture. Incredibly well researched and well written, fascinating throughout.
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