Buffalo Bill Cody: Western Legend (Historical American Biographies) [Library Binding]

Karen Bornemann Spies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998 | Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up | Series: Historical American Biographies

Traces the life of the legendary frontiersman, from his childhood in the Kansas Territory, through his years of adventure as military scout, Pony Express rider, and buffalo hunter, to his creation of his Wild West Show.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-8--Spies is at her best when describing the influence of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show on the preservation of buffalo herds and the creation of the mythology of the American cowboy. The biography is full of facts, including information about Cody's friends, why he received the Congressional Medal of Honor, and why it was taken away from him. The book's weakness is in reconciling facts with the author's interpretation of them. Spies states that, "any killing [Cody] did was in self-defense or as part of his job as a guide and a scout" immediately after describing his first killing of a Native American when he was a child in what was clearly not a life-threatening situation. The text presents a vivid description of a Wild West performance but, for all of its attention to detail, there is no mention of a date anywhere in the chapter. Cody led an interesting and colorful life and left his mark in many ways, and this does come through. Excellent full-page period photographs and reproductions appear throughout, and chapter notes give full documentation.

Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Publishers (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766010155
• ISBN-13: 978-0766010154
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,446,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Buffalo Bill Cody, April 14, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Buffalo Bill Cody: Western Legend (Historical American Biographies) (Library Binding)

The book Buffalo Bill Cody is written by Karen Bornemann Spies. It was published in 1998. I would recommend this book to others and convince them to read it because...

... The author didn't really catch my attention at the beginning of the book but my advice is to read it thoroughly. It makes you want to keep reading and want to know what happens next. Buffalo Bill was a man of many characteristics, he had a good side and he had a bad side. It was like he was sketzafrantic. When he had a wedding and war at the same time was the most interesting part of his life. The only influence he had was hid best friend became a trader during the Civil war. Some one might want to read this book because it has most of the stuff you are looking for and it also has stuff from the mans child hood, and he is a very interesting man of adventure.

Things that are memorable about him are, his war and wedding, growing up with adventure, showman wild west, scouting and hunting, becoming a star, his wild west, European adventures, and the scouts last stand! With his band and getting married while the war was going on, I think it had a big impact on others lives.

I learned that he was best known for bringing the American west to life. The book made me think that Buffalo Bill was a very expeditious man who loved adventure. The book was in order so you could read it and understand it and not have to be skimming for stuff you think you want to know. The book did not keep my interest because it was very dull and boring, I like adventure that has science fiction in it because I like the alien and monster stuff it is more exciting.

The book will leave you guessing about what will happen after they decide to join the west side and the east side. I would like to know more because it did not tell me what I wanted to know. I would still recommend this book because I liked it and hope others would to. It got published because people were interested in the subject. Don't make the author disappointed.