Blood Brothers (Book)

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Blood Brothers: The Story of the Strange Friendship between Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill is a book of literary nonfiction by American author Deanne Stillman, first published in 2017. The book examines the little-known but profound relationship between two legendary figures of the American West—Lakota leader Sitting Bull and showman William "Buffalo Bill" Cody—centered around their brief collaboration in Buffalo Bill's famous Wild West show during 1885.

Overview and Historical Context

The story unfolds with Sitting Bull joining Buffalo Bill's arena show, traveling the country and appearing before crowds. Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bill were presented as "Foes in '76, Friends in '85"—a reference to their adversarial roles in the Battle of Little Bighorn almost a decade earlier – although neither was physically present on the battlefield. Stillman traces both men's earlier lives and their eventual intersection, providing context about the Great Plains, battles between Native Americans and the U.S. military, and the rise of celebrity culture in late 19th-century America. Annie Oakley, sharpshooter and star performer, also plays a prominent role in the narrative and their friendship.

Themes and Style

Stillman's book explores themes of reconciliation, betrayal, cultural clash, and the American mythos surrounding both men – as well as the myth-making machinery itself, of which Buffalo Bill was its primary scribe. Through alternating biographies of Sitting Bull and Cody, and detailed accounts of Annie Oakley's part in their lives, the book examines how their brief alliance reflected broader shifts in U.S. society and Native American rights during the era. Critics have praised the work for its historical research, lively narrative style, and nuanced depiction of these icons, and some reviews note its non-chronological structure and speculative elements regarding the characters' inner lives.

Reception and Awards

Blood Brothers received a starred review in Kirkus, was called "Splendid" in Austin Chronicle, appeared on True West Magazine's, "History Books Not to Miss" list among others, and won the 2018 Ohioana Book Award for Nonfiction. Additionally it was noted for its compelling narrative and new insights into American history through the prism of the West. Reviewers commented on the book's blend of storytelling and history, calling it "a thrilling and elegantly written saga" (Douglas Brinkley in jacket endorsement) and "the right treatment for a subject about which many books have been written before, few so successfully" (Kirkus Reviews). The book's account of Sitting Bull's tragic assassination and Buffalo Bill's reaction is frequently cited as among its most powerful passages.

Author

Deanne Stillman is widely recognized for her works of literary nonfiction about the American condition by way of the modern and historical West, previously publishing landmark books such as Twentynine Palms: A True Story of Murder, Marines, and the Mojave, Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West, and Desert Reckoning: A Town Sheriff, a Mojave Hermit, and the Biggest Manhunt in Modern California History. Her writing has been lauded for deep research, narrative skill, and its ability to illuminate American history's overlooked conflicts and personalities.

References

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