Larry McMurtry has chronicled the Old West in Pulitzer-Prize-winning novels such as Lonesome Dove. This time, he brings his unique, compelling style to a biography of Crazy Horse, the enigmatic Native American leader who helped to defeat Gen.George Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn, or Custer's Last Stand. Less than 150 pages long, the book is a remarkably complete, satisfying look at the legendary Sioux leader. Given the lack of historical documents relating to Crazy Horse (he left behind no memoirs like his contemporary, Black Elk), McMurtry evokes the man's character wonderfully. Yet he does not resort to the kind of groundless conjectures popular with many biographers. For example, in relating Crazy Horse's ill-fated love for a married woman, McMurtry captures the strength of the man's passion without trying to recreate his thoughts, as so many biographers would do. The result is a highly believable account.

Crazy Horse was an individualst who enjoyed spending time alone among the caves of the great plains. He preferred to do things his own way, once going on a vision quest without the traditional prelimiary steps. This vision would influence him throughout his life. It was because of it that he devoted himself to a life of charitable works among his people, dressing simply and "keep[ing] nothing for himself."

Crazy Horse rose to a prominent position among the Plains Indians, but he was not a chief, as most textbooks say. Rather, he was a leader of Indian resistance to white westward expansion. It was in this role that he became famous. Fighting in the Battle of Little Bighorn, he took part in the last major Indian victory.