Search - One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd

One of the best books I have read in a very long time. It was hard at times to remember that it is a work of fiction. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical works.
Set against the true historical facts of what the government under President Grant was doing to the native populations (broken treaties, half fulfilled or non fulfillment of promises and the discovery of gold in the sacred Black Hills) and the willingness of Generals like Crook and Custer to annihilate any "savage" who would not move to a reservation, a fictional story is told.
In the words of May Dodd, the black sheep daughter of a wealthy Chicago family who was in an insane asylum as a result of what her family called a perverted personality, the story is told of what might have happened if white women had been asked to marry with the native population in an effort to make peace. This is a compelling story and plays out very well against the historical facts of the years 1874-1876 in the Indian Territories of NE, WY and SD.

The sign of an amazing novel is that its content can address harsh topics such as rape, murder, infanticide and betrayal yet still be remembered fondly and soberly. It was difficult to read, true, but I could not put it down - the unfailing courage and difficult choices continued to surprise and capture me.

All the characters were highly satisfactory - none were god-like in quality but the evil were evil and the good simply humans with real, understandable faults. By focusing much of the perspective on May, the struggles between the Cheyenne and the "whites" were truly portrayed without bias. Fergus sugarcoats nothing, preferring to illustrate each civilization as fully as possible, and leave it to the reader to lay or reserve judgment.

I picked this book up without knowing what its subject matter would be - there was no summary on the back - but it immediately stole my attention, keeping me engrossed until its end.

If you choose to read this, be prepared for a heavy but extremely memorable read.

Highly recommended.

I found this book to be extremely interesting. In May Dodd's words, in referring to her wedding night to an Indian chief "Yes, I think that's a fine way of putting it. Like this whole adventure, a dream that's actually happening." May, a socialite from Chicogo, finds herself institutionalized by her family for promiscuity for marrying and having children with a man "below her status". At the same time a deal has been struck by the U.S. government to civilize the Indian population through trading 1,000 white women for 1,000 horses so that the Indian population, through having children with white women will be tamed and become civilized. May agrees to become an Indian bride to escape the horrors of the asylum. Her optimizim through it all gives us a unique insight into the Indian culture of the late 1800s. I enjoyed the book and recommend it highly.

A nice read and it helps the reader feel what it was like to live with the Native Americans during the time the 'whites' were taking away all their land.

I purchased this book based on the reviews of PBS members.. and the book did not disappoint. As others have mentioned, it was hard to remember that the book is historical Fiction. So well has Fergus woven in the history and feel of that period with the refreshing story of May Dodd. Would highly recommend reading.

Just an all-around good, fun book to read.