From his birth in the Sac village in 1767 to becoming the leader of the Sauk tribe and eventually fighting a war against the United States, Black Hawk's life was filled with significant events and experiences. After his tour of the Eastern States, Black Hawk returned to Mississippi and expressed to the official interpreter for the Sac and Fox agency at Rock Island, Mr. Antoine LeClaire, how he wished to have a history of his life written and published. Black Hawk recounts in detail the battles and events leading up to the war, as well as his surrender and imprisonment through the interpretation of LeClaire. Several topics are covered throughout the volume, including the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, Black Hawk leaving the British Army, the Battle at Campbell's Island, Native American customs, the death of Black Hawk's children, and Black Hawk embarking on his famous tour. The author concludes the work with a section of notes giving readers extra information relative to Black Hawk, the Native American tribes, the land, and the period.