The Last Frontier

The Last Frontier chronicles the Northern Cheyenne tribe's 1878 escape from forced relocation in Oklahoma and their journey back to their Montana homeland. The 1,500-mile trek became one of the most significant Indigenous resistance actions in American history. Fast reconstructs this historical event through multiple perspectives, including the Cheyenne people, U.S. cavalry officers, settlers, and government officials. The narrative follows both the physical journey north and the complex political situation surrounding Native American rights in the post-Civil War era. The story centers on the leadership of Chiefs Little Wolf and Dull Knife as they guide their people through harsh winter conditions while evading military pursuit. Interactions between the Cheyenne and various military units, settlers, and other tribes form the core of the narrative tension. The book examines themes of cultural survival, the human drive for freedom, and the clash between Indigenous rights and American western expansion. Fast's account presents the broader historical context of 19th century federal Indian policy while focusing on the universal human desire to return home.

Readers appreciate Fast's detailed research and portrayal of the Northern Cheyenne's 1,500-mile journey to return home in 1878. Many note the book's influence in changing perceptions about Native American history. Online reviewers frequently mention the emotional impact of learning about lesser-known historical events through Fast's narrative style. Readers liked: - Clear explanation of complex historical context - Balance between factual details and readable storytelling - Focus on Native American perspective - Inclusion of military and government documents Common criticisms: - Some passages feel dated (book published 1959) - Military strategy sections can be dry - Limited perspective from female characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (438 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) One reader noted: "Fast doesn't romanticize or oversimplify - he lets the facts speak for themselves." Another wrote: "Changed how I view 19th century American expansion and Indigenous resistance."

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🏹 The book chronicles the tragic Northern Cheyenne Exodus of 1878-1879, when 300 Native Americans attempted a desperate 1,500-mile journey from Oklahoma back to their Montana homeland. 📚 Howard Fast wrote this historical novel in 1941 while serving a prison sentence for contempt of Congress during the McCarthy era, refusing to name fellow members of the Communist Party. 🌟 The story gained renewed attention in 2007 when Mari Sandoz's similar book "Cheyenne Autumn" was discovered to have borrowed heavily from Fast's earlier work without attribution. 🎬 Though less well-known than "Cheyenne Autumn," Fast's "The Last Frontier" was actually the first major work to bring the Northern Cheyenne's heroic journey to widespread public attention. 🗺️ The route taken by the Cheyenne in the book can still be traced today, passing through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Montana, with several historical markers commemorating their passage.