In the Spirit of Crazy Horse

By: Peter Matthiessen

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Here is the story of Leonard Peltier and the FBI's war on the American Indian Movement.

On a hot June morning in 1975, a fatal shoot-out took place between FBI agents and American Indians on a remote property near Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in which an Indian and two federal agents were killed.

Eventually, four members of the American Indian Movement were indicted on murder charges in the deaths of the two agents. Behind this violent chain of events lie issues of great complexity and profound historical resonance, brilliantly explicated by Peter Matthiessen in this controversial book.

©1980 Peter Matthiessen (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A giant of a book...Indescribably touching, extraordinarily intelligent." ( Los Angeles Times)
"The first solidly documented account of the U.S. government's renewed assault upon American Indians that began in the 1970s." (Dee Brown, author of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee)

Interesting part of American history

The narrator’s voice is steady and listenable in this retelling of important AIM events in the 1970s. This book also tells the story of Leonard Pelletier, who has been imprisoned for the deaths of two FBI agents in a standoff and subsequent shootout on Pine Ridge reservation. From testimonies in this book, it sounds like no one knows for sure who actually caused the agents’ deaths, but the FBI was determined to have someone stand for the crime.

The book is very detailed and gives a good account of those events.

Good story

Would you listen to In the Spirit of Crazy Horse again? Why?

Yes. It's a compelling history of government abuse of power

What does Mark Bramhall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Local feel of desolation and the rough hewn life.

Everyone needs to know this story!

This is the story of Leonard Peltier and his conviction for a crime he didn't commit. It's important for all of us to know the underhanded tactics used by the FBI and others that led to his conviction. He must be released from prison!

Free Leonard Peltier!?!?

Tough question to decide upon, no matter how you feel about the issue. He has now spent the majority of his life behind bars for something he may or may not have done. Due to his advancing age, his health issues and basic life behind bars, he may not have much time left to let those of us on the outside work their magic and get clemency for Leonard.
I highly recommend this book to others, so that Leonard Peltier's case can be looked at and people chose for themselves is this a game our government is playing with his life or is he one of the most evil men the FBI has encountered and why they are so determined to keep him locked up?
Good luck on your journey.

informative

As a native person, i needed to hear this book. I've heard of the free Leonard Peltier movement buy never knew what exactly it entailed and how the events unfolded.

free leonard

it is tedious in its length, but all of the details are relevant and necessary if one is trying to understand that tragic event and the Native American struggle.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse

This is a very long book and at times it can be monotonous. It gives a different historical perspective.

Fantastic Reading, Important Story

While I was personally overwhelmed by the sheer contents of this book, I am incredibly grateful to have read it. The material here is incredibly informative!

We still here

Loved it All Disliked Nothing We are still here Pomo Straight Outta Robinson Rancheria

Good Story But Too Much Detail

Very interesting story on a matter that I had not previously heard of, but the book dives into way too much detail on minor points that might be important in a court case, but are not needed for the story or to believe the veracity of the author. Not only does the author state his bias, but it is clear from the start. I have hit the fast forward button several times and was amazed that it left no gaps in my understanding even though I zoomed through a good hour of audio at a time.