In 1866, the Civil War was over and the gold rush was in full swing. Prospectors headed West and demanded protection from their government on the trail. But the trail to Montana’s gold rush territory went straight through lands belonging to the Oglala Lakota. And Red Cloud had no desire to see his people further hounded from the lands first given to them. The nation sought peace, but not peace at any price. Paul Goble’s simply told story offers insight into the price that would be paid.

Told through the eyes of the fictional nineteen-year-old Brave Eagle, Red Cloud’s War invites young readers and listeners into the heart of a camp filled with talking and arguing, into the lives of chiefs and warriors who might desire peace and the white man’s gifts, but will not sell their heritage, and into the darkness of mistrust and war on ancient hunting grounds. Complex ideas are simply told and brought to life. Nicely drawn maps reveal what’s promised and denied. And the fighting that ensues is vividly described, frightening, cruel and implacable as white man’s boast meets a warrior’s determination.

There’s no reveling in death and destruction in this tale, and no heavily weighted scorn for past mistakes. Rather it’s a nicely nuanced, well-told account, offered with convincing voice, and beautifully illustrated with images to capture the smallest and largest child’s attention. The author’s attention to detail is just as pure and convincing in his invitation to the Sun Dance as in the uniting of tribes for battle. Likewise, sorrow for the past is pleasingly balanced with genuine humanity and hope.

A lovely book to read and share with children, this is a treasure for adults as well, revealing a past too often obscured or turned to myth and TV excitement. I really enjoyed reading it.

Disclosure: I was given a free copy by the publisher and read it straight away with eager delight. ( )