In The Shadow of Wounded Knee: The Untold Final Story of the Indian Wars by: Roger L. Di Silvestro

This book offers a fascinating look into the closing years of the last great wars between the United States, and Native American nations. Not only does it present the events that led up to the tragedy of Wounded Knee, but it also looks at the effects that followed this event. It is beautifully written, and easy to follow -- even if you have little knowledge of the historical background of this era of history.

This is also a great look into one of the first trials of a Native American Lakota, in a "White Man's" court, and his involvement with the American legal system. Accused of the murder of a military officer, Lieutenant Edward Casey -- Plenty Horses was ultimately arrested, and forced to stand trial.

This is an interesting piece of forgotten American History, in that it explores not only the recognition of the Native American Tribes as separate, and independent nations, but it also closely examines the acts of war, and the accountability of those involved in the atrocities that occur during times of war. It offers for consideration the slow, and deliberate attempt to undermine, and ultimately destroy the Native American culture through the forced education of Native American children, the forced transition from a hunting tribe -- to that of a farming community; forced to produce on lands far inferior to the task required of them. It also looks at how these actions led to the rebellion, and reaction of the Native American's in their frantic bid for identity, and salvation of their culture.

The book is generally balanced in its presentation, and it offers an in depth look into the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the Native Americans that created so much fear in the U.S. citizens of the time. It also clearly portrays the state of the Native American Tribes at the time of the Wounded Knee incident -- and places responsibility for this act in the misunderstandings, and miscommunications of both sides of the war.

This is a book that I would strongly recommend for reading. It is an element of the American/Native American history that should not be forgotten.