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American Carnage: Wounded Knee, 1890 Kindle Edition

by Jerome A. Greene (Author), Thomas Powers (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 44 ratings
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As the year 1890 wound to a close, a band of more than three hundred Lakota Sioux Indians led by Chief Big Foot made their way toward South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation to join other Lakotas seeking peace. Fearing that Big Foot’s band was headed instead to join “hostile” Lakotas, U.S. troops surrounded the group on Wounded Knee Creek. Tensions mounted, and on the morning of December 29, as the Lakotas prepared to give up their arms, disaster struck. Accounts vary on what triggered the violence as Indians and soldiers unleashed thunderous gunfire at each other, but the consequences were horrific: some 200 innocent Lakota men, women, and children were slaughtered. American Carnage—the first comprehensive account of Wounded Knee to appear in more than fifty years—explores the complex events preceding the tragedy, the killings, and their troubled legacy.

In this gripping tale, Jerome A. Greene—renowned specialist on the Indian wars—explores why the bloody engagement happened and demonstrates how it became a brutal massacre. Drawing on a wealth of sources, including previously unknown testimonies, Greene examines the events from both Native and non-Native perspectives, explaining the significance of treaties, white settlement, political disputes, and the Ghost Dance as influential factors in what eventually took place. He addresses controversial questions: Was the action premeditated? Was the Seventh Cavalry motivated by revenge after its humiliating defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn? Should soldiers have received Medals of Honor? He also recounts the futile efforts of Lakota survivors and their descendants to gain recognition for their terrible losses.

Epic in scope and poignant in its recounting of human suffering, American Carnage presents the reality—and denial—of our nation’s last frontier massacre. It will leave an indelible mark on our understanding of American history.

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  1. Print length
    625 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    University of Oklahoma Press
  5. Publication date
    April 11, 2014
  6. File size
    22877 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Much has been written about the confrontation at Wounded Knee, but with its meticulous research, evenhanded coverage, and masterful prose, Greene’s book ranks among the best and most complete accounts of this American tragedy.”—Choice

“Wounded Knee is an inordinately complex story. Jerome A. Greene’s thoughtful, artful, passionately written story is destined to become its new foundational history.”—Paul L. Hedren, author of After Custer: Loss and Transformation in Sioux Country

“Jerome Greene is uniquely qualified to take on this controversial topic. His long record of publication demonstrates the highest standards of scholarship and guarantees the solidity of his treatment of Wounded Knee.”—ROBERT M . U T L E Y, author of Sitting Bull: The Life and Times of an American Patriot

“The story of Wounded Knee has been told many times, yet never from the vantage of such a wealth of new sources. Jerome A. Greene provides the definitive last word in this masterfully told account.”—R. Eli Paul, author of Blue Water Creek and the First Sioux War, 1854–1856

“American Carnage is an excellent book on a complex and controversial subject. Thoroughly researched and incisively written, it is as balanced as any work on the Wounded Knee tragedy can possibly be." —Army History

“American Carnage is an important addition to the body of work on Wounded Knee. Greene’s hefty volume furnishes a comprehensive discussion of the U.S. Army’s most infamous massacre of indigenous people.”—Western Historical Quarterly

“Jerome Greene’s retelling of Wounded Knee is simply kili (awesome). Please read and understand.”—Her Many Horses, Michael, Wounded Knee community member

About the Author

Jerome A. Greene is retired as Research Historian for the National Park Service. He is the author of numerous books, including Stricken Field: The Little Bighorn since 1876, Battles and Skirmishes of the Great Sioux War, 1876–1877: The Military View; Lakota and Cheyenne: Indian Views of the Great Sioux War, 1876–1877; and Morning Star Dawn: The Powder River Expedition and the Northern Cheyennes, 1876, all published by the University of Oklahoma Press.



Thomas Powers is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist. His most recent book is The Killing of Crazy Horse.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JPUMYEQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Oklahoma Press (April 11, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 11, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 22877 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 625 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0806144483
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 44 ratings

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Jerome A. Greene

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
44 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Samuel L. Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book on Wounded Knee that I have ever read, and I've read most all of them.
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2014
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This is an absolutely masterful work of historical research and reporting. Jerome A. Greene took on the highly controversial subject of the Wounded Knee tragedy, often a visceral historical topic that a century and a quarter later continues to evoke raw emotion. Walking a careful line between government accounts depicting Wounded Knee as a battle and those Lakota accounts describing it as a brutal massacre, Greene is able to bring to the reader both perspectives, and treats both views with dignity and respect, something that, until now, seemed unattainable.

Moreover, Greene has presented perhaps the most historically accurate and thoroughly researched work to date on this American tragedy. Where Robert M. Utley's Last Days of the Sioux Nation and Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee were landmark works in the 1960s and '70s, Greene's American Carnage is the definitive work that spectacularly melds the two points of view.

That Jerome Greene has presented what I now consider the definitive work on Wounded Knee, I am hesitant to point out two minor, even trivial, inaccuracies, and do so only to ensure historical purity. On page 288, Greene states, "Beyond Lieutenant Godfrey and the men who committed that desolately conspicuous deed [referring to the tragedy at White Horse Creek], no witnesses survived." Edward Settle Godfrey on 29 December 1890 of course was a captain, not a lieutenant, having risen to that rank on 9 December 1876, a full fourteen years before Wounded Knee. Greene accurately portrays Godfrey's rank in all other references, and this is certainly just an editorial oversight. Historians more often refer to Godfrey as a lieutenant because that was his rank at the Battle of Little Bighorn, an episode in his career that receives far greater historical attention than that of Wounded Knee.

The other error occurs on page 357, when Greene confuses James W. Forsyth with Edward S. Godfrey. Greene states "Forsyth, who had withstood the humiliation of his brief removal from command of the Seventh Cavalry after Wounded Knee, succeeded to the grade of brigadier general only as he verged on retirement in 1907." James W. Forsyth was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on 9 November 1894 and served as the commanding general of the Department of California, before being promoted to Major General on 11 May 1897 and retiring two days later. He died on 24 October 1906. It was Edward S. Godfrey who was promoted to brigadier general in January 1907, the same year that he was required to retire by law at the age of 64.

<img src="http://armyatwoundedknee.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/cropped-grabill_-_the_fighting_7th_officers.jpg" width="400" alt="description">
<a href="http://armyatwoundedknee.com">Army at Wounded Knee</a>
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Daniel Hurley
5.0 out of 5 stars A Necessary Expansive Telling of the Ghost Dance, Panic and Politics a that Resulted in Wounded Knee
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2014
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Jerome Green is a notable western historian who tells the most detailed history of the Wounded Knee massacre that culminates from the migration of the Ghost Dance to the Dakotas attracting both the Cheyenne and the Lakotas, that created a virtual religious hope among the causing suspicion, tribal divisiveness, and an overreaction to what some would see as a religious experience somewhat similar to a Christian messiah. Greene tells a much broader history then what I have previously read particularly when the Army moves in as local ranchers and towns start to panic and creates a stampede of particular Sioux sub tribes such as the Brules resulting in their fortification of the Stronghold and attempts by the military to move them back to their agency. As Greene notes the unnecessary killing of Sitting Bull, directed by Agent McGillycuddy's distrust of Sitting Bull and concern for his political authority creates even more distrust and movement among the Sioux away from agencies. Greene provides a necessary back drop of information such as the compromising of previous treaties resulting in shrinking reservations, cut backs on food allowances, removal of children to schools away from the reservation and overall distrust for the government. In particular, the reductions of food allowances causing wide spread hunger combined with sickness made the Ghost Dance attractive. Greene provides excellent detail on how the tribes were divided between moderates like Red Cloud and the more traditionalists who embraced the Ghost Dance. Greene covers great detail on the military movements directed by General Miles to contain the tribes that was relatively successful until Spotted Elk (Big Foot) left the escort of a Lieutenant Colonel Sumner resulting in the discovery and virtual capture of the 7th cavalry. Greene provides historic maps of the massacre along with an excellent map with the positioning of the 7th companies that inadvertently lead to a crossfire. The catalyst that sets off the sudden firing is discussed in detail but as it was this then, complexities make it difficult to determine exactly how it started. Multiple bad decisions made the eruption of firing that resulted not only in massive killings of so many tribal members but killed numerous 7th in friendly fire. But the story dies not stop with Wounded Knee but continues with more resistance of Indians firing at agencies, and a second battle with the 7th that requires rescue by the 9th cavalry. The aftermath is well detailed from the criticism of Colonel Forsyth (7th) by Miles to praise from Sherman and commander of the Army Schofield. Greene includes an exhaustive collection of photos of the numerous participants and scenes of the battle and various landscapes. I wish there was one large map showing the location of the agencies and conflict areas. The most compelling photograph in the book is the active burying of the Wounded Knee dead in a mass grave. Greene writes the most complete history of this very sad and unnecessary event.
12 people found this helpful
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Tom Tubman
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Work
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
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Somewhat late to this party, I visited Wounded Knee with Jerry Greene in 2016 along with other members of the LBHA. To have had the opportunity, to pick hi brain to a small degree was an extreme joy.

For those who have not read this book you are missing a great read, but garnering a great deal of research for a very reasonable price.

Thanks again, Jerry
2 people found this helpful
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Michael P
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2016
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This is an astonishing read, I could not put it down, a page-turner! The level of detail is quite remarkable. I am not a fan of American history but for personal and religious/spiritual reasons (Ghost Dance history), I had to read this. A must for all Americans, the actions of the Army, War Department, federal and local government is a blueprint of other national and international tragedies. As I read this book, My Lai came into my consciousness, U.S. actions in the Middle East, eerie and foreboding. I fear for the collective karma this country is generating. The image of eye witnesses at Wounded knee will haunt me forever.
3 people found this helpful
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Don Tash
5.0 out of 5 stars THE TRUE STORY
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2018
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Very good reading - tells the true story of the horror that took place resulting from incompetent leadership and poorly trained troops with Mass bloodlust
One person found this helpful
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Timothy L. Raab
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2014
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Read like a textbook, but choke-full of facts.
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cisco
2.0 out of 5 stars woundsed knee 1890
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2014
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This book is a rambling on and on account of the same material..boring. The book should contain 2 chapters and then quit.
2 people found this helpful
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Anit M. Donofrio
5.0 out of 5 stars "American Carnage, Wounded Knee, 1890, " is ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2014
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"American Carnage, Wounded Knee, 1890," is hands down the most comprehensive and balanced telling of an extremely controversial and heartrending chapter in our American history. Mr. Greene's thorough and unbiased research, along with his superb narrative, guides the reader along a trail of broken promises, desperate hopes, personal hubris, and frustrating governmental bureaucracy which culminates in catastrophe.
5 people found this helpful
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Shudras
5.0 out of 5 stars A very thoroughy researched book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2015
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I ordered the hardback version of this book after listening to the unabridged Audible version. I look forward to starting to read this one. I have been interested in Native American history for many years, and found there was so much depth to the content in the audible version, that it warrented studying in print form, in order to do it justice. This book deals with lead up to Wounded Knee, and the aftermath, with details of what happened to the survivors and thier desendants.
One person found this helpful
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Markus
5.0 out of 5 stars Ein tolles amerikanisches Buch zum Nachdenken.
Reviewed in Germany on May 3, 2015
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Ich habe das Lesen dieses Buches in weiten Teilen genossen.
Sehr detailliert und sehr gut recherchiert werden hier die Fakten - soweit verfügbar - um das Drama am Wounded Knee Creek präsentiert und sehr gut und flüssig lesbar dargestellt.
Als sentimental den Opfern der Ureinwohner nahestehend, mache ich mir Gedanken, wenn auch in diesem Buch Begräbnisse von Privates über mehrere Stationen nachverfolgt werden, steifgefrorene Indianerleichen aber relativ kommentarlos irgendwo in der Prärie "beerdigt" werden.
Auch das Statement, dass es zu dieser Zeit, immerhin das ausgehende 19. Jahrhundert, unmöglich und undenkbar wäre, einen Weißen für das Töten eines Ureinwohners zu belangen, spricht für sich.
Es ist ein tolles Buch, aber man sollte auch hier einen kritischen Geist bewahren. Die Darstellung der altbekannten "Hostiles", das Wort selbst ist ja schon abwertend, ist negativ besetzt, man lese das traurige Ende Sitting Bulls. Die Annahme des "weißen" zivilisierten Lebenstils wird propagiert. Diese "Fortschrittlichen", zu denen auch die Indianerpolizei gehört, werden den als eher störrisch feindselig beschriebenen Traditionalisten gegenübergestellt.
Die ganz große Stärke des Buches liegt in der Detailtreue und der Lesbarkeit, überdies sind schöne Fotos zu sehen.
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sam clemens
5.0 out of 5 stars Grundlegendes Werk
Reviewed in Germany on October 9, 2014
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Soweit ich das einschätzen kann, ist dieses Buch die längst überfällige gründliche Bearbeitung der vielen verstreuten Quellen über die Geschehnisse und Entwicklungen, die im Winter des Jahres 1890 zu den Auseinandersetzungen am Wounded Knee führten. Von der Army als Schlacht bezeichnet, von den Natives - und von großen Teilen der zivilen Öffentlichkeit in den USA - als Massaker.

Das Buch zeichnet sich durch den weiten Blickwinkel aus, durch die Einbettung der Analyse des einzelnen Ereignisses in die politische und gesellschaftliche Landschaft der USA des ausgehenden 19. Jahrhunderts. Außerdem hat Greene versucht, den vielen Opfern wieder eine Biographie zu geben, zumindest einen Namen. Völlig zu Recht beurteilt der Autor das Geschehene konsequent aus der Zeit heraus und lässt die Fakten und die Erinnerungen der Beteiligten sprechen. Gerade das Vermeiden jeglichen Pathos' hebt das Traurige hervor. Auch das ist eine großartige Leistung. Unbedingte Kaufempfehlung.
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