Here is the mini-bio of a Native American chief who just wanted his people to be left alone. Please have the wagon trains go away with their ” horses and cattle …[that] ate the grass needed by Sioux ponies.  The loud wagon trains scared away the game. And the whites brought deadly diseases, such as smallpox, measles, and the flu.” (page 16) Some of the Sioux decided to live near the trading post, Red Cloud and others decided to isolate themselves from the whites. Later, when gold was discovered, Red Cloud first talked with Bozeman, then the U.S. government peace commissioner to keep Sioux land away from the gold hunters.

“Red Cloud was unlike most war chiefs. He made long-range plans. No war chief had power to command his men.Red Cloud had to rely on his reputation and oratory to lead his band. Thus he persuaded the warriors to do things his way.” (page 23) … Red Cloud “would not talk of peace until all the soldiers left his hunting grounds.” (page 24)  Meanwhile, other Native American groups further south were giving the whites trouble because of the railroad being built. ” President Andrew Johnson (post-civil war) did not want further fighting.” Army forts were abandoned and Red Cloud had them burnt to the ground.

Author, William R. Sanford makes this an easy read in nine short chapters. Black and white photographs and sketches from the time period are used for illustration, but this book could use some color. The headers for each chapter the two maps, and the purposeful smudge marks on the bottom of most pages could easily be in color! I fear the lack of color will decrease the number of readers choosing to read this book.