The Elk-Dog Heritage (Spanish Bit) [Mass Market Paperback]

Don Coldsmith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Spanish Bit | Publication Date: May 18, 2003

Don Coldsmith, inducted into the Writer's Hall of Fame of America and voted one of the Greatest Western Writers of the Twentieth Century by the Western Writers of America, is one of our national treasures. He single-handedly revolutionized the Western novel with his acclaimed Spanish Bit Saga, which has more than six million copies in print. Set in the early sixteenth century, the Spanish Bit Saga re-creates a time, a place, and a people that have been nearly lost to history. In it we see history in the making through the proud eyes of those who lived it.

In the recent past, the People lived in fear, constantly pursued by their ancient enemies, the Head Splitters. But that was before Spaniard Juan Garcia arrived, bringing horses-Elk-Dogs. He taught his adopted people to ride and fight, to defy death and be victorious. Slowly, at first, they learned the ways of the magnificent animals that Garcia brought them. Soon, none could stand against them, and the once cowering and timid People became lords of the American Great Plains. The Head Splitters were defeated and now the People live a life of peace and prosperity.

But not all are satisfied with peace. Eager to prove their manhood, the youths of the tribe long for the days of war. Against the direct orders of their elders, the young bloods seek out the Head Splitters and, waging their own war, place the entire tribe in jeopardy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Internal conflict threatens to destroy a Native American tribe in Coldsmith's latest adventure, which takes place on the Midwestern plains as several tribes try to fend off an aggressive tribe known as the Head Splitters. The Elk-dogs fracture when their young warriors exercise their blood lust in a successful attack against the Head Splitters, only to be reined in by their elders. The leader of the youngsters is a rowdy brave named Badger, who is banished when he accidentally kills the tribe's chief guide during a brief tussle. When Badger leaves, several of his followers go with him. This weakens the remaining ranks and forces the leader, Heads Off, to engage in a desperate series of maneuvers as the Elk-dogs are pinned down by the Head Splitters and winter approaches. Coldsmith (Raven Mocker; The Lost Band; etc.) is on familiar ground when it comes to portraying the minutiae of Native American life, although many of the details he musters are overly familiar. The background of Heads Off, at least, is intriguing-formerly known as Juan Garcia, the son of a Spanish nobleman, he became a tribal leader after being captured. The final face-off between the tribes is far too ordinary to make this book memorable, but the characters and the story line are well rendered, as Coldsmith does his usual solid job of bringing this historical culture to life.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The People of the Plains are led by Heads Off, who in another life was known by the name Juan Garcia. Circumstances placed him in a leadership role; he only stayed to share his life with Tall One, now the mother of his children. Since the defeat of their rivals many years earlier, life has been peaceful and food plentiful, but the young men of the tribe long for their own triumphs in battle. A bloody chance encounter with a small hunting party fans the flames, and soon the tribe is engaged in a war. Coldsmith, voted one of the greatest western writers of the twentieth century by the Western Writers of America, continues his Spanish Bit Saga with a morality tale containing lessons for modern readers. The People are drawn into war by a few warriors who seek personal glory, without regard for the consequences to their tribe. Coldsmith portrays the conflicted, often painful, role leaders must play while also exploring the dynamics of a society that has to reaffirm its value through armed conflict. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (May 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812579674
• ISBN-13: 978-0812579673
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great sequel, June 30, 2005

By 

damomy (kansas city) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elk-Dog Heritage (Spanish Bit) (Mass Market Paperback)

For those of you that enjoyed the Trail of the Spanish Bit, this book is a fantastic follow up. The story only gets better as you see Heads Off struggle in his new role with a people that he is still getting to know.