The full story of what led Crazy Horse and Custer to that fateful day at the Little Bighorn; from bestselling historian Stephen E. Ambrose. On the sparkling morning of June 25; 1876; 611 U.S. Army soldiers rode toward the banks of the Little Bighorn in the Montana Territory; where 3;000 Indians stood waiting for battle. The lives of two great warriors would soon be forever linked throughout history: Crazy Horse; leader of the Oglala Sioux; and General George Armstrong Custer of the Seventh Cavalry. Both were men of aggression and supreme courage. Both had become leaders in their societies at very early ages; both had been stripped of power; and in disgrace had worked to earn back the respect of their people. And to both of them; the unspoiled grandeur of the Great Plains of North America was an irresistible challenge. Their parallel lives would pave the way; in a manner unknown to either; for an inevitable clash between two nations fighting for possession of the open prairie.
#20688 in Books Crown Forum 2013-10-22 2013-10-22Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.54 x 1.29 x 6.57l; 1.50 #File Name: 0385349173400 pages
Review
706 of 747 people found the following review helpful. Expected to hate this book; was pleasantly surprisedBy George WatersI admit it: I got it wrong in my opinion of Charles Krauthammer. I thought he was just an unoriginal talking head mimicking the latest right-wing rhetoric. After reading this compilation of some three decades of his writing; I see that Krauthammer is a thoughtful intellectual. I may at times disagree with his perspective; but I can absolutely see now how gets to said perspective. The highly personal introduction is fascinating and sets the table for the writings that follow. His sense of humor and his sense of humanity come through in many passages. At times I actually laughed out loud at his writings; at other times I was enthralled by his ability to "paint with words" (most noticeably his column of September 12; 2001). Krauthammer is generally not divisive in his politics and; in fact; has evolved some of his beliefs over time as any reasonable person often does. He also has a real knack for taking difficult and at times abstract concepts and boiling them down to a comprehensible essence. Approach this book with an open mind; you just might find yourself enjoying it.13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Krauthammer's work is wonderful. His brillianceBy katie merrittMr. Krauthammer's work is wonderful. His brilliance; wit; wisdom and fairness shine through in each of his marvelous yarns and they reveal the things that really do matter in life - the many aspects of love - whether in appreciation of dogs or of baseball or of political super heroes. Mr. Krauthammer is a super hero of encouragement and brilliance to the tired; old hippy that I am.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The Best of a Top-Shelf ColumnistBy Eric MayforthCharles Krauthammer has been a leading voice for conservatism during the Obama years; but his run as a superlative columnist stretches back to the 1980s. "Things That Matter" is a collection of Krauthammer's best columns and essays of the last few decades.Krauthammer was a liberal when he was younger; but recounts his journey across the political spectrum and his path from medicine to journalism. While he says that the topics that most captivate the human mind are not political; he reminds us that a society must get politics right if everything else is to flourish; providing Nazi Germany as an example of how demented politics can destroy a society that was advanced in so many other areas.This collection includes some of the author's most hard-hitting columns of the Obama years in which Krauthammer spells out how liberal policies are weakening America both domestically and internationally. In addition to these columns on topical issues; other columns take a wider view in examining the importance of having conservative domestic and foreign policies. Krauthammer also looks back at figures such as Winston Churchill; Franklin Roosevelt; and Martin Luther King; as well as at events such as the French Revolution and the Cold War.While Krauthammer is known as a political columnist; he applies his superb insights into life and human nature across many other arenas as well—there are fascinating columns in this collection on chess; dogs; baseball; science; mathematics; and much more.Those who are familiar with the author's work are likely to know that he was paralyzed in an accident when he was young. The volume shows his strength of character in that he touches only lightly on the topic and asserts that one can have a very good life in spite of paralysis. Krauthammer's writing style is nothing short of phenomenal; and this superb amalgam of topical and timeless columns by one of the Right's leading voices will likely be read avidly even decades from now.
