The Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting Bull

Reviled by the United States government as a troublemaker and a coward, revered by his people as a great war chief, Sitting Bull has long been one of the most fascinating and misunderstood figures in American history. Now, distinguished historian Robert M. Utley has forged a compelling new portrait of Sitting Bull, viewing the man from the Lakota perspective for the very first time to render the most unbiased and historically accurate biography of Sitting Bull to date.

Tatanka Iyotaka (1831-1890)

Sitting Bull, Sioux chief, born about 1831.  He was the principal chief of the Dakota Sioux, who were driven from their reservation in the Black Hills by miners in 1876, and took up arms against the whites and friendly Indians, refusing to be transported to the Indian territory. In June, 1876, they defeated and massacred Gen. George A. Custer's advance party of Gen. Alfred H. Terry's column, which was sent against them, on Little Big Horn River.  They were pursued northward by General Terry.

Sitting Bull, with a part of his band, made his escape into British Territory, and, through the mediation of Dominion officials, surrendered on a promise of pardon in 1880. In July and August, 1888, in a conference at Standing Rock, Dakota, he influenced his tribe to refuse to relinquish Indian lands. 
He died in 1890 when followers tried to rescue him from the reservation police.

About the Author

Robert M. Utley is a former chief historian of the National Park Service and the author of many books and articles on western history, including biographies of General Custer and Sitting Bull.

Website Links:

www.sittingbull.org
PBS-The West