The Lance and the Shield summary

The Life of Sitting Bull

In The Lance and the Shield, Robert M. Utley delves into the life of the Hunkpapa Lakota leader, Sitting Bull. The book starts with Sitting Bull's early life, growing up in the northern Great Plains, and his rise to prominence as a fierce warrior and a respected spiritual leader within his tribe. Utley paints a vivid picture of the Lakota way of life, their customs, and the challenges they faced in the wake of white encroachment.

Utley explores the events leading up to the Battle of the Little Bighorn, a pivotal moment in Sitting Bull's life. He provides a detailed account of the battle, highlighting Sitting Bull's strategic prowess and his role in the defeat of General Custer and the 7th Cavalry. The aftermath of the battle, however, marked a turning point for Sitting Bull and his people, as the U.S. government intensified its efforts to subdue the Lakota.

Exile and Return

The narrative then follows Sitting Bull into exile in Canada, where he sought refuge after the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Despite the hardships of living in a foreign land, Sitting Bull continued to advocate for his people's rights and resisted pressure to surrender to the U.S. authorities. Utley emphasizes the deep sense of loss and displacement experienced by Sitting Bull and his followers during their years in exile.

After years of hardship, Sitting Bull and his band eventually returned to the United States, only to find their homeland drastically changed. The once vast hunting grounds of the Lakota had been replaced by farms and ranches, and the bison, their primary source of sustenance, had been nearly exterminated. The plight of his people weighed heavily on Sitting Bull, and he continued to speak out against the encroachment of white settlers and the government's broken promises.

The Final Stand

The book then moves towards the end of Sitting Bull's life, marked by his involvement in the Ghost Dance movement, a spiritual revival that promised the return of the buffalo and the departure of the white settlers. Sitting Bull's association with the movement alarmed the U.S. authorities, who saw it as a potential catalyst for a Native American uprising. In a tragic turn of events, Sitting Bull was arrested, and a confrontation between his supporters and the U.S. Army led to his death.

Utley presents the death of Sitting Bull as a turning point in the U.S. government's policy towards Native Americans, marking the end of armed resistance and the beginning of forced assimilation. Despite his tragic end, Sitting Bull's legacy lived on as a symbol of Native American resistance and resilience.

Legacy of Sitting Bull

In the concluding sections of The Lance and the Shield, Utley reflects on Sitting Bull's enduring legacy. He highlights how Sitting Bull's leadership, military acumen, and unwavering dedication to his people made him a revered figure among the Lakota and a symbol of resistance for Native American rights.

In summary, The Lance and the Shield provides a comprehensive and balanced portrayal of Sitting Bull's life, shedding light on the man behind the legend. Utley's meticulous research and engaging narrative style bring Sitting Bull and the tumultuous era he lived in vividly to life, making this book an essential read for anyone interested in the history of Native American-White relations.