Customer Reviews

Buffalo Calf Road Woman: The Story of a Warrior of the Little Bighorn

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I have no way to gauge the accuracy of the history recounted in Buffalo Calf Road Woman. I am neither a descendent of the Northern Cheyenne nor an historian of Native American peoples. A couple of reviewers take issue with the presentation of some "facts" in this book. While there is no fair way to resolve those issues in this online book review forum, I do offer this perspective:

There were ample caveats in the book's preface to advise readers of the inherent limitations of retrieving comprehensive and indisputable facts about plains Indians history. Therefore, what I expected and hoped for in reading Buffalo Calf Road Woman were to learn about general themes in Northern Cheyenne history, to be inspired by the life of a courageous and strong-willed woman, and to enjoy the experience along the way.

My expectations were more than met. The Agonitos' writing is easy, effective, and filled with a cadence that evokes images of life and travel in the open plains country. The only "agenda" I detected on the part of the authors was to help inform more people of the complex and heart-wrenching struggle for life and dignity inflicted upon Native Americans in "white man's" pursuit of land and resources. All of the characters in the book (including the protagonist) were shown in their multi-dimensional humanity, with their flaws, heroism, and conflicts.

I was transported from my life as I turned the pages of this well written, plainly interesting story. Unlike some other reviewers who hold the success of this book - a work of Native American History/Fiction - hostage to some perceived agenda on the part of the authors, I found it simply a fine read.

I am a St. Regis Mohawk born off the reservation. Much of all of the history of the sovereign nations residing inside the borders of the United States is oral history. As such, even my own family's history is difficult to obtain and has as many versions as the people who tell it. This book is remarkable in that it attempts a balance of those truths, as indeed each person who tells the history is telling his or her own truth, while creating for the reader an image of the brave struggle of Native Peoples in those times and of a remarkable woman. I am astounded each time I meet a sister or a brother from any sovereign nation who does not think the telling of such a story by anyone is in any way corrupting our peoples. It is a tribute to the sensitivity of these writers that they chose to write about us at all, so dismissed have we always been by history. I do not pretend to be a scholar. I tend to find most of them a boring lot of preachers who care only for their own point of view and who interpret history according to their own agenda. I saw no agenda in this book. I saw only beauty, truth, and love. This book will move you. It is a book you will recommend to friends and family. Yes, the writers are white but they speak with a straight tongue.

Teouwya - St. Regis Mohawk

In my judgment, Buffalo Calf Road Woman is a moving, well researched and finely written tribute to the courage and dignity of an extraordinary Northern Cheyenne woman and her people. I would urge anyone interested in Native American history to read it. That judgment clearly runs counter to another review recently posted on this site, a review which I feel disregards the principles of sound intellectual argument and valid literary criticism. With not a single example to substantiate his point of view, the reviewer indicts the Agonitos of denigrating the Northern Cheyenne and ignoring or manipulating the historical facts. The Authors' Note and Bibliography in the book, as well as the testimonies on their website (some from Native Americans), amply attest the extent and depth of the research that went into this book. The authors treat their subject matter with a respect that borders on reverence. All of that should not be summarily negated by invidious and totally unsubstantiated generalizations.

I do not recommend this book for serious students of Cheyenne history. This was a difficult read for me. I am Northern Cheyenne, born and raised on the reservation. The graves of Little Wolf and Morning Star (Dull Knife) were a short walk from my childhood home. I am very proud of the history of my people and of their struggle to live in our homeland.
This is a work of fiction, a story made up to entertain the reader, however many liberties were taken in the telling of the story. I commend the well meaning effort to acknowledge the difficult lives and desperate struggles of the women of that time and place. However, the embellishments in this book use Cheyenne history the same way Cheyenne buffalo and Cheyenne land were used - for ulterior motives. Borrowing on the pain and suffering of the Cheyenne people this story does more to express the views of a 21st century feminist than it does to tell the story of a brave Cheyenne woman. In the process of fashioning a protagonist with enough righteous indignation and moral superiority to serve their cause, the authors have taken irreverent liberties with the struggle and suffering of those who actually lived this history.
I encourage the telling of the true story of our brave men and women, who didn't need to steal honor from other Cheyennes, or denigrate them, (this does both), to be remembered well themselves.
Technically, the writing is decent, although the dialogue drags in spots. The research is suspect due to inaccuracies throughout the story, leading one to question whether the facts were missed or manipulated. Currently classified as Native American History/Fiction, the book should actually be classified as Alternative History as it takes real history and alters it to suit its purpose

Buffalo Calf Road Woman is a fascinating and well-written story that details a brutal time in U.S. history that isn't often discussed in schools or written about much. Interesting, yet sad to read the courageous struggle of the Cheyenne Indians, a struggle that should not be overlooked or ignored. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.

Contrary to the many New York Reviews, the Northern Cheyenne review is supportable. Throughout the journey up from the Darlington Agency the authors protagonist shares the lead with Little Wolf, choosing campsites, motivating people, settling dissension. In reality, she was not even there! She and Black Coyote did not catch up with Little Wolf's band until the sand hills, after the split from Dull Knife's band.
Page 76. Little Wolf was shot six times throughout Mackenzie's attack as he led the women and children to safety. The authors cast him aside at the beginning of the battle and place their protagonist in his stead.
Page 20. Black Coyote considers the heroines complaint that women should be allowed at Council. His response was, "You may be right Calf,... it must be tough being a woman." As sensitive, romantic and PC as it sounds this conversation is almost laughable when one considers the social equanimity of the Cheyenne prior to colonialism.
Page 32. "She marveled at Limpy's foolishness in exposing himself so, ... How strange was a man's pride, Calf thought, to expose himself so." In reality, acts of this type were seen as very courageous by all plains Indian tribes. Outsiders saw it as foolishness. This statement, and others like it (pp. 72, 81, etc.)attempt to portray sagacity. Great for creating a heroine, but lousy for cultural respect and awareness.
Throughout - The Sacred Buffalo Hat and Sacred Arrows are not "objects." Traditional Cheyennes consider them to be living covenants, or entities.
As an attempt to create a romantic Indian story, this book is commendable, however, as an accurate portrayal of Cheyenne history, it fails. A book I would like to have seen in the bibliography is: So You Want to Write About American Indians by Devon Mihesuah

Buffalo Calf Road Woman, by Rosemary and Joseph Agonito, is a remarkable achievement crafted by two serious scholars and gifted writers. In this award-winning book, the authors have skillfully incorporated the fruits of many years of research in the archives of the Northern Cheyenne with realistic and compelling dialogue. This poignant, well balanced work highlights the injustices that inform this chapter of the history of the American West. Highly recommended for the general reader as well as senior high school students and undergraduates.

This well written book is the recipient of the prestigious 2006 Western Heritage award for outstanding Western novel. It vividly brings to life one of the most momenteous, shameful, but yet heroic eras in American History. The Agonitos skillfully weave the individual story of a single brave and courageous woman against the larger canvas of the trials and traumas of the Cheyenne. The reader cannot remain emotionally aloof from their struggles and passions, instead they are drawn in to their lives and times in a personal way. The imagery invoked by the authors makes the reader feel that he or she is right there as history and herstory unfolds. If you are a feminist, a student of History, or a lover of romance and drama, I highly recommend this book! It has been thorougly researched and is very easy and enjoyable to read!