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.

This story was interesting and easy to get into, however, I have read several other books on this locale and time period (including The Captured by Scott Zesch) and I often found parts of the white women's freedom and goddess-like treatment by the Cheyenne unrealistic. That being said, the originality of this story, the touching ending and May's strength of character and quick intelligence made this a worthwhile, memorable novel. I'm rating this down a point for the hard-to-believe passages.

I had to make myself finish the book, a waste of time. I still thought it was too depressing and frustrating story line. I thought the way the women talked about sex or dealt with it, seem more like mens reactions not womens.

Wonderful historical account by Jim Fergus. The diaries of May Dodd seem so real that you are almost there with her as she experiences the wonder and awe of the olde West and Indian territory. Great read.

I found the idea for this book much more intriguing than the book itself. I never connected with any of the characters and many of the relationships and situations seemed forced and unnatural.

Excellent novel-- the depiction of the Cheyenne culture is so detailed and the story of the white man's dealings with the Indians is not often told from this perspective. I highly recommend it.

One of the absolute best books I have ever read. It is fiction but reads like a true history.

Just incredible. You fall in love with these women & you feel everything they feel. Wonderfully written.

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A great book for even those not interested in the history of Indians. This was not a true story, but was written in a way that I would have believed it was. Kept me interested the whole way thru!!

I recently finished this book and I must say that I was thoroughly captivated by it the entire time I read it. I loved how the women were thrown together on a train (not many of them knew each other before hand) and learned to consider each other to be "family." their adventure was fascinating, and yes, though it was fiction, you really are left wondering if it is not based on a real person's life. I suspect it is. It is a really wonderful read that I will be recommending to my book club!

this book was fabulous. I could not put it down.

This is a fascinating work of historical fiction about the American West, Native Americans, and the treatment of women. So easy to read, you won't want to put it down.

I absolutely loved this book. Devoured it in one sitting. Even though it is not a true story, it certainly could have been. I will look for more of Jim Fergus' works as he is a fabulous writer and can certainly keep the pages turning. He brought each character to life so that you could actually picture them as you read. I felt the cold snow and the spring air. Having read much of Native American history and the failed treaties of the times this is just one more through provoking work that most certainly could have taken place in the American West. Sent it on to my son in the military who is a history buff and always looking for good books to read. I give it five stars.

I really liked this book. I highly recommend reading it you wont be disappointed.A great story about women and what they went through when they went to live as wifes of the Indians. I loved these women and found myself cheering for them.

A very entertaining book. It was hard to beleive it a work of fiction. Enjoyed the plight of the Indians as the author depicted. Very beleivable. The characters came alive from the pages. Was dissappointed when I finished it. Didn't want it to end. Highly recommend if you like a little fiction of history. Some parts not for the squemish.

This is one of the best books that I have had to pass on! It is written as in true story form but it is fiction...May Dodd is one of many women that volunteer to marry into an Indian Tribe and have children with their Indian husbands to try to bridge the gap between the "white" world and the "indian' world..these are her journals of her life before and during her life as an Indian...a wonderful book!

A truly fascinating account of life lived in the Black Hills by a white woman "married" to an Indian Chief.

Very well done. Reads like real life.

Very good book.

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