Publishers Weekly
10/25/2021
In an engaging dual biography format, author-illustrator Nelson (who is Lakota) profiles Lakota Chief Crazy Horse and Army Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, drawing parallels between these historic figures’ short but infamous lives. Both embraced a warrior lifestyle, loved to fight, and were fearless and physically gifted, as relayed in accessible prose: “The two youths were taught that personal glory could be won through violent conflict.” Crazy Horse gained notoriety amid fights with other tribes, while Custer became famous for his hell-bent leadership during the Civil War. Their racial divides led to them becoming fierce enemies: Crazy Horse despised Euro-Americans killing Native people for their land; Custer believed that privileged whites led the pecking order, and people of color could never rise to the same level. The text is lean and straightforward, even when describing the atrocities of war. A mixture of historic photos and paintings augment the text, while the author’s ledger-style drawings—rendered in ink, colored pencils, and acrylic paint—successfully honor Lakota artwork of the late 1880s. An evenhanded examination acknowledging both figures as “flawed human beings and triumphant, yet tragic, heroes.” Back matter includes an author’s note on his background, art notes, historical context, a timeline, quote notes, selected bibliography, art credits, and an index. Ages 10–up. (Nov.)
award-winning author of Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Nancy Bo Flood
With startling beauty and immediacy, two hero-boys born into opposing cultures become alive on the pages of S.D. Nelson’s Crazy Horse and Custer, Born Enemies. Nelson presents two clashing historical views and takes readers on a profound and fascinating journey. A page-turner, an eye-opener, both beautiful and tragic.
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Historical context is tightly woven throughout the trim text, and the rapid toggling between Custer and Crazy Horse, and between Lakota and U.S. Army campaigns, builds narrative tension that keeps the pages flying."
journalist and author of Geronimo and Sitting Bull Bill Markley
S. D. Nelson’s richly illustrated book brings to life traditional Lakota culture and that of a young, expanding United States, both presented through the lives of their most celebrated warriors: Crazy Horse and George Armstrong Custer. Nelson uses word images, historic paintings and photographs as well as his own magical illustrations to weave a tapestry of life and conflict in the West of Nineteenth Century America. A magnificent book.
celebrated Abenaki writer and author of One Real A Dr. Joseph Bruchac
I can think of no other book that does a better job of helping the reader experience the complexity of this period in American history, not just from the Euro-American point of view but also from that of the indigenous nations of the Great Plains. The fact that SD Nelson avoids demonizing or deifying either of these two men is truly remarkable. At this time when so many things are being said, written, and done that divide us as a nation we need more books with the balance of Crazy Horse and Custer: Born Enemies.
Sicangu Lakota author and National Humanities Meda Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
SD Nelson’s depiction of two of America’s historic figures, shows the humanity of both men in their personal desires and conflicting values. An intriguing read for young people.
Booklist
**STARRED REVIEW** "Nelson’s original art, done in the style of early Lakota ledger drawings, captivates, with horses splashing across the pages. . . An exemplary history."
award-winning author of This Strange Wilderness Nancy Plain
What a storyteller Nelson is! With clear prose that reads at times like poetry and with his own glorious artwork, he shines a light on two worlds—the Lakota’s free life on the plains and the whites’ society as it pushes toward its ‘Manifest Destiny.’ This book is a treasure—profound, informative, and a delight to read.
Shelf Awareness
"The parallel presentation of the men's actions and their perspectives of the events that lead to their final confrontation is as gripping as any novel."
From the Publisher
SD Nelson’s depiction of two of America’s historic figures, shows the humanity of both men in their personal desires and conflicting values. An intriguing read for young people.”—Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, Sicangu Lakota author and National Humanities Medal recipient
“I can think of no other book that does a better job of helping the reader experience the complexity of this period in American history, not just from the Euro-American point of view but also from that of the indigenous nations of the Great Plains. The fact that SD Nelson avoids demonizing or deifying either of these two men is truly remarkable. At this time when so many things are being said, written, and done that divide us as a nation we need more books with the balance of Crazy Horse and Custer: Born Enemies.”—Dr. Joseph Bruchac, celebrated Abenaki writer and author of One Real American
“With startling beauty and immediacy, two hero-boys born into opposing cultures become alive on the pages of S.D. Nelson’s Crazy Horse and Custer, Born Enemies. Nelson presents two clashing historical views and takes readers on a profound and fascinating journey. A page-turner, an eye-opener, both beautiful and tragic.”—Nancy Bo Flood, award-winning author of Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo
“What a storyteller Nelson is! With clear prose that reads at times like poetry and with his own glorious artwork, he shines a light on two worlds—the Lakota’s free life on the plains and the whites’ society as it pushes toward its ‘Manifest Destiny.’ This book is a treasure—profound, informative, and a delight to read.”—Nancy Plain, award-winning author of This Strange Wilderness
“S. D. Nelson’s richly illustrated book brings to life traditional Lakota culture and that of a young, expanding United States, both presented through the lives of their most celebrated warriors: Crazy Horse and George Armstrong Custer. Nelson uses word images, historic paintings and photographs as well as his own magical illustrations to weave a tapestry of life and conflict in the West of Nineteenth Century America. A magnificent book.”—Bill Markley, journalist and author of Geronimo and Sitting Bull: Leaders of the Legendary West
**STARRED REVIEW** "Nelson’s ledger-style drawings combine with archival photographs and paintings to add drama to the already-gripping text. Historic nonfiction that reads like an adventure novel."—Kirkus Reviews
**STARRED REVIEW** "Nelson’s original art, done in the style of early Lakota ledger drawings, captivates, with horses splashing across the pages. . . An exemplary history." —Booklist
"Historical context is tightly woven throughout the trim text, and the rapid toggling between Custer and Crazy Horse, and between Lakota and U.S. Army campaigns, builds narrative tension that keeps the pages flying." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The taut writing and short chapters are the perfect vehicle for presenting the epic conflict between the war leaders and make this a great selection for reluctant readers." —School Library Journal
"An engaging dual biography. . .A mixture of historic photos and paintings augment the text, while the author’s ledger-style drawings—rendered in ink, colored pencils, and acrylic paint—successfully honor Lakota artwork of the late 1880s." —Publishers Weekly
"The parallel presentation of the men's actions and their perspectives of the events that lead to their final confrontation is as gripping as any novel." —Shelf Awareness
School Library Journal
10/01/2021
Gr 5 Up—A thorough treatment of the complicated histories of Lakota, white people, land, and the American westward expansion. In a parallel format, the book follows Crazy Horse and George Armstrong Custer from childhood to their deaths. It adeptly delves into their histories through engaging archival photographs, artwork, quotes, maps, and time lines. Nelson's breathaking illustrations were created with ink, watercolor, and acrylic paint on cotton paper. The taut writing and short chapters are the perfect vehicle for presenting the epic conflict between the war leaders and make this a great selection for reluctant readers. Nelson, who is Standing Rock Sioux, shares his lineage in the back matter and offers his insight about piecing the work together. Because history is often told by the victors, Nelson focused his research on parsing the facts from myth, as he explains in an author's note. The back matter also includes an extensive bibliography, notes, and suggestions for further reading. For sensitive readers, there is one graphic historical photograph depicting deceased individuals. VERDICT Recommend for all libraries.—Danielle Burbank, Farmington, NM
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2021-08-18
Legendary warriors Crazy Horse and Custer are brought to life in this impeccably researched story by Lakota author/illustrator Nelson.
Born a year apart, the White settler boy George Armstrong Custer and the Lakota boy initially named Light Hair both enjoyed the “pounding of their horses’ hooves on the earth and the rush of wind in their hair.” As youngsters, they were “taught that personal glory could be won through violent conflict.” Custer found his glory leading Union Army troops during the Civil War. Quoting a Custer biographer, Nelson tells readers that “he plunged in the onrushing mass of enemy cavalry” time and again. His fearlessness catapulted him up through the ranks. After the war ended, he became an “Indian Fighter.” When the Lakota battled their enemies, Light Hair rode into battle “stripped to his breechclout and moccasins, his hair loose,” according to a Lakota historian. He painted his body with lightning and hailstones. His leadership was honored by his father, who renamed him Crazy Horse. Weaving quotes from sources both contemporary and modern into his narrative and supplying necessary historical context, Nelson traces the parallel lives of these two men, ending with their deaths: Betrayed by fellow officers, Custer died at the Battle of Little Bighorn, and one year later, Crazy Horse was killed, betrayed by his own people. Nelson’s ledger-style drawings combine with archival photographs and paintings to add drama to the already-gripping text. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Historic nonfiction that reads like an adventure novel. (author's note, timeline, source notes, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 8-12)
