One language connected all tribes of Americans not long ago. This book is filled with translations from English to Native American Sign Language as well the historical facts related to the period that this book was written. Even tribal accents are noted as certain tribes expressed the same words using their own habitual pronunciations in sign. This book not only clearly explains the language but paints a picture alphabetically of the subjects, abstract and tangible, that Native Americans talked about in 1877.

I absolutely need to contact Mr. George Fronval to ask him the autorisation to reprint some pages of his book "Contes et récits du Canada français. Can you help me?

"Indians, Cowboys, and Farmers and the Battle for the Great Plains: 1865-1910" is basically The Drama of American History's volume on how the "West" was won. The Great Plains is specifically defined as the area between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains; the story of California and the Southwest were covered in the earlier volume, "Hispanic America, California, Texas and the Mexican War, 1835-1850"). This series is geared for students in grades 6-9, but the basic approach of focusing on the "core content" of American history rather than a deluge of names and dates, seems to me to be eminently applicable to any age group (which is a polite way of saying that teachers of American History can use these books to structure their classes in a way that might be more beneficial than simply following the narrative flow of their current textbook).

This particular volume starts in 1865 with the end of the Civil War, but actually begins by talking about the Great Plains (1) Before the White Man and focusing on the establishment of the horse culture that sprung up there after the Spanish brought the animals to the New World and the idea of reservations that was started in the 1830s. (2) The Flames of War Rise Higher tries to cover the Indian Wars that ran from 1861 through the 1890s, including the wars of conquest being fought amongst the native tribes. In the wake of the decimation of the buffalo herds there were several key encounters between the Indians and the cavalry troops: Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce, the Battle of the Little Big Horn, and the massacre at Wounded Knee.

What the White Man did once the Indians were removed as obstacles is covered in the next three chapters: (3) The Legendary American Cowboy covers the "Cattle Kingdom" that arose as the buffalo disappeared and the cities of the East needed meat for their booming populations. (4) The Railroads Go West is a bit of a misnomer because the same trains that shipped settlers out to the Plains were shipping beef back East. This chapter covers both the evolution of transportation and communication that had to meet the challenge of covering the great distances from the Mississippi River to the West Coast. (5) Settling the Plains is evidence by the maps and statistics provided in this chapter. A series of maps showing the rats of travel from New York in 1800, 1830, and 1860 gives students a real sense of how things were changing. In 1800 it would take 4 weeks to get to New Orleans, 2 weeks in 1830, and 5 days in 1860. Charts detail the population growth of the Great Plains states from 1870 to 1900 and the different in labor costs for farm work done by hand versus by machine.

The final chapter offers a transition to the 20th century: (6) The Farmers Fight Back talks about the political struggle of the farmers and other Western interests, which resulted in the rise of the Populist movement and three time Democratic nominee for presidency, William Jennings Bryan. Collier & Collier make an interesting point about how weather conditions and economic prosperity alleviated a lot of the farmer's problems at the turn of the century, but that severe reversals of both of these elements would result in the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. This underscore the author's intent to focus on the broad strokes of American history with an eye towards how they impact the future. The volume is illustrated with historic paintings, drawings, photographs, and such, most of which are usually accompanied by informative captions that make it clear the intention here is to continue teacher and not just to give the young reader something else to look at besides column after column of text.

To cite Meriwether Lewis as Editor of this and other volumes of this University of Nebraska Press edition, edited by Moulton, is an injustice to Moulton. Lewis' efforts never got beyond a pros- pectus. Further, to list Clark as merely a con- tributor, is unforgiveable.

Light On The Indian World: The Essential Writings Of Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa) is a collection of the writings of Charles Eastman, who was born in 1858 and raised in the traditional nomadic life of the Sioux Native Americans prior to the era of reservations. Critical selections from "The Soul of the Indian," "The Indian Today," "Indian Boyhood," and "From the Deep Woods to Civilization" bring out key insights in Charles Eastman's work that transcend time and generations. Light On The Indian World is a fascinating, engaging, informative and memorable addition to personal, academic, and community library Native American Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.

An enchanting tale of wonder and love. It is a beautiful story combining the magic of folklore with the magic of alternate forms of communication. Children love it for the magical content. Adults will love it for the sensitive introduction to Native American myth and legend.

Holy man Pipe Bearer, a member of the southern people, starts having visions of a special horse that seems to be wearing a medicine hat on his head. When the special horse with the medicine hat top is born, Pipe Bearer realizes that he has a quest to accomplish. He does not know where he must go or what his mission is. He tosses the stones and learns that he must head north with medicine hat horse accompanying him. His wife Otter Woman joins him on his quest. They travel north under the guise of being traders, the only group of people who can safely journey among the various tribes.

For the first few days of their trek, nothing eventful occurs though they meet many people. Things dramatically change when an out of control prairie fire occurs. Pipe Bearer and Otter Woman manage to save themselves and help another couple fleeing the fire, Lone Walker and his wife Plum Flower. The foursome becomes friends and travels together in search of completing the unknown quest, knowing that more adventure awaits them before their journey is completed.

MEDICINE HAT is an exciting, insightful novel whose authenticity will thrill fans of Indian tales and historical fiction. The characters (primary and secondary) seem to be so life like and the trip so genuine, readers will believe they are along for the ride. This novel is not an action-packed, save the world thriller. Instead Don Coldsmith has painted a brilliant and charming story of Indian mysticism during the nineteenth century.

Harriet Klausner

I am a Cree pipe carrier and I am so grateful for the gentle flowing words of prayer. Truly a humble man has written such a book of honoring the grandfathers as well as the words of the people whom he met. Kind and wonderous in its bringing together of Aboriginal and Christian beliefs as our path to one creator are meant to be.

This book has made a lasting impression on my first graders. They loved the story and delighted in the pastel illustrations, especially of the pony in flight. THE MUD PONY fits perfectly in the study of folklore. It appeals not only to the young mind, but to the more mature person as well. The fantasy is delightful and easily grasped by primary children. It makes a fantastic "Read Aloud" book. Read Aloud is a mandatory part of our San Diego Literacy program. We are encouraged to choose only books that "speak" to the children, that instill in them a desire to read more. Moreover, Native American folklore is a precious genre that should be be incorporated into each grade's literary curriculum. Happily, THE MUD PONY can be included in the Multi-cultural category. My students compared and contrasted it with two other books, THE GIFT and EAGLE FEATHERS, both by Owl Goingback. They used the graphic organizer of a triple-circled Venn Diagram which allows for a marvelous overview of the three books, depicting: characters, settings, themes, authors, and illustrators. The children chose a special picture to depict their favorite selections and drew their own rendition onto the diagram. They also searched for "special words" in each book and added them to the large sheet of manila paper covering the front classroom door. All who pass by can read the titles and the information beneath each. As a long-time veteran of the teaching of reading to students of all ages, I am happy to promote THE MUD PONY. Thank you, Caron Lee Cohen, for a book that appeals to the inner child in all of us.

This collection of books is the final 3 of the Savage Ecstasy series. These books focus on the descendants of Gray Eagle and Alisha Williams. If you bonded with the white girl and her Indian lover you will fall in love with the latter of their generations.