How the West Was Lost is about the westward expansion of the nation across the North American continent during the last half of the 19th century, with special attention on the Native American experience and point of view.

It is the story of how two great civilizations, each occupying vastly different viewpoints, each regarding the other over an uncrossable chasm of misunderstanding and incomprehension, met and inevitably came into conflict.

Each episode looks at a specific tribe or battle and features interviews with descendants of Indian legends. Includes the greatest Indian triumph in American history where General Custer met his fate at the battle of Little Bighorn.