wooden leg

My Wooden Leg book is awesome.



Taken from an interview before he died in 1940, Wooden Leg: A Warrior Who Fought Custer, describes the everyday life of a Northern Cheyenne growing up in the late 1800's. Wooden Leg explains tribal government and society, as well as warfare and life on the plains. This important narrative gives a glimpse into the life of the Cheyenne.

I was immediately surprised to learn about the complex tribal governments and societies that exist within the framework of the tribe. These groups competed with one another, and yet lived in sacred harmony for the common good of the Cheyenne. Wooden Leg describes life the way it was, before the Indian Wars and buffalo began to disappear.

Wooden leg fought against Custer, in defense of his people. His narrative given long after the battle of the Little Bighorn give a perspective overlooked by white society.

Good read.