Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull

Bobby Bridger talked about his book, Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull: Inventing the Wild West, published by University of Texas Press. He began the presentation by singing and playing his guitar. Mr. Bridger also read from his book, and responded to questions from the audience. The book is a biography of impresario William F. Cody, also known as Buffalo Bill. It focuses on his life-long relationships with Native Americans, including Sioux Indian chief Sitting Bull, who was a participant in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Born in 1846, Cody took part in the great westward migration. After realizing that his role in taming the West contributed to the decline of the buffalo and the Plains Indian tribes, he used his Wild West shows to try to prevent the extinction of the buffalo and to preserve Plains Indian culture. Mr. Bridger draws on many historical accounts and Cody’s own memoirs. close