Customer Reviews

Buckskin Brigades (Thorndike Large Print Western Series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm a bit puzzled by all the positive reviews of Buckskin Brigades. Did we all read the same book? This is definitely not top notch fiction. Yellow Hair is a white man raised by Blackfeet, who eventually encounters "his own kind," with fireworks resulting. There isn't much plot to speak of, the action isn't gripping, and as usual for Hubbard the characters are pretty shallow. I do remember enjoying it somewhat, but for a relatively short book (c. 300 pages) it sure does drag on. Almost the only part worth recommending is that it's sort of an "anti-Western," in that the whites are depicted as the bad guys. Pretty unusual for the mid-30s, and a refreshing perspective even now. Other than that, this book isn't terrible, but IMO it's not worth more than a library browse.

The main point of this book, as I see it, is to illustrate the supreme goodness of the Native Americans of the 18th and 19th century, while depicting the vile loathsomeness of the white European encroachers. This point is made with every character and scene description in the book. While I enjoyed learning the author's opinions, eventually I felt pummeled by the repeated blows. This is the first book I have given up reading after completing 85% of the story. I just couldn't take it anymore.

I first read this book when I was very young. I loved the characters, how much they enchanted me and made me think of more than my own perspective.

I watched as movies and other stories were made with a similar premise in mind, but they always made me think of this book and how important it is to not think you are the only one who could be right.

I have re-read this book many times over the years and enjoyed it each time. Maybe the newness of the concept has worn a little with all the other stories, but this was one of the originals and will always hold a place dear to me.

A real twist on the usual "cowboys and Indians" formula.

It's true that the history of the vanquished is usually written by the conqueror. This story provides a fresh perspective through the eyes of the conquered, in this case Native Americans.

Hubbard's admiration of the Native American culture, their view of life and moral codes comes through. I understand that while growing up one of his closest friends was a Native American. His understanding and appreciation of their culture added to my enjoyment reading this book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that would like to read an exciting tale told through the eyes of the native people that were having their ancestral land and way of life simply taken from them.

I loved reading this story and I can honestly say that it "enlightened" me, bringing about a better appreciation for how the west was REALLY won.

A great read, highly recommended.

This book was written as one of the first America coming-of-age novels which did NOT portray the Indian as the heathen barbarian which was so often done at that time. That Dances With Wolves so successfully carried along with this look at history only provides testament to the acceptance of this change of heart. Buffalo Bills Wild West Shows inevitably had the red man being vanquished by the white man and furthered that mentality. That Hubbard was able to provide a new perspective, in the form of a romance no less, was quite clever and I found it a very enjoyable read.

This book was possibly the first ever written which showed the true way the indians on this continent were treated by "the white man". It made me laugh, it made me cry. Read it to find out who the real "savages" were and to get a better understanding of the Indian lifestyle and their mores. Incredible read for the first novel by this author

I am not usually a fan of "westerns," but this book is definitely an exception. It opens with an incident which actually happened to Lewis & Carrol, written from the explorers' viewpoint then it relates the same incident from the viewpoint of the Blackfeet Indians. The effect is startling: suddenly the roles of "civilized" white men and "savage" indians are completely reversed and the book continues from there. The story itself is a page turner but the added realism of what the lives and cultures of the European settlers and the Native Americans were really like is fascinating. I highly recommend it

I think the thing that grabbed me was the realism. You definitely get the feeling that the author had been there, understood Indians and their culture. I have compared it to anthropological BLACK ELK SPEAKS and the classic historical novel THE DELIGHT MAKERS and it's feel for authenticity is on par. Add to that the sheer story-teller talent of the author and it is well worth reading. That it was written long before our "civilization" was aware of the Amerindian culture and its depth is quite amazing.

I consider this western to be among the best I have ever read. It not only is a great tale, but it is told with incredible accuracy. One really gets the feeling you are really there! This magnificent novel by L.Ron Hubbard portrays the West as you always knew it was like, not like some colorful Saturday morning cliche' western. This novel captures your heart with its sincere 'realness' and wraps you up in the struggle and plight of a forgotten people. I wanted to grab my rifle and join them on the plains. I loved it! What a great story! Hubbard really nails this one!