Fools Crow [Paperback]

Thomas E. Mails (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1990

Frank Fools Crow, a spiritual and civic leader of the Teton Sioux, spent nearly a century helping those of every race. A disciplined, gentle man who upheld the old ways, he was aggrieved by the social ills he saw besetting his own people and forthright in denouncing them. When he died in 1989 at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, he was widely loved and respected.

Fools Crow is based on interviews conducted in the 1970s. The holy man tells Thomas E. Mails about his eventful life, from early reservation days when the Sioux were learning to farm, to later times when alcoholism, the cash economy, and World War II were fast eroding the old customs. He describes his vision quests and his becoming a medicine man. His spiritual life—the Yuwipi and sweatlodge ceremonies, the Sun Dance, and instances of physical healing—is related in memorable detail. And because Fools Crow lived joyfully in this world, he also recounts his travels abroad and with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, his happy marriages, his movie work, and his tribal leadership. He lived long enough to mediate between the U.S. government and Indian activists at Wounded Knee in 1973 and to plead before a congressional subcommittee for the return of the Black Hills to his people.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas E. Mails is also the author of Mystic Warriors of the Plains (1972) and Sun Dancing at Pine Ridge and Rosebud (1978). His art has been exhibited throughout the West.

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books; 1ST edition (August 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803281749
• ISBN-13: 978-0803281745
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit disappointing..., February 20, 2001

By 

ROBERT KINGSLEY (Fort Collins, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fools Crow (Paperback)

After reading Fools Crow: Wisdom and Power (which is one of my all time favorite books!), I was naturally drawn to reading the biography of Fools Crow. Alas, I found the book a bit tedious and disappointing. I am sure Thomas Mails wrote an accurate account, but his style and the points he emphasizes make for a plodding read.

Despite these troubles, I found the book to be informative of life on the 20th century Pine Ridge Reservation. The problems outlined in this book are not going away, and if this book raises concerns about what must be done to correct these terrible issues it has done a great service.

This book is also very good in regards to giving a history of the Sioux since the Great Sioux War of 1876. So often the history of this great nation is placed in the background to the white culture making it difficult to see with any degree of accuracy. This book is from the vantage point of a Sioux elder and tells the sad tale of an oppressed people.

31 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The story of Frank Foolscrow, August 4, 2000

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fools Crow (Paperback)

This is the story of Frank Foolscrow: The Ceremonial chief of the Teton Sioux:

I very much enjoyed the story of the politics on the reservation.

I do have several problems with this book.

1. The story was recorded by Thomas E. Mails a Lutheran, and I found it disconcerting that in some places the Term "God" is used, and in others the Sioux term "Wakan Tanka" is used.

2. On page 100 Mr. Mails equates the tobacco ties as a rosary. The Tobacco ties had nothing with a rosary. They were simply offerings to his 405 helpers.

3. On page 107 Mr. Mails implies that Frank Foolscrow was a Catholic. It is clear that he retained his spirituality.

4. I am VERY disturbed by what he calls "The Kettle Dance". I am not from that culture, and do not know what it represents to the people. So I have no right to judge it.

5. The colors associated with the directions are wrong. I don't know if Mr. Mails got this wrong, or Mr. Foolscrow believed this information was too sacred to share. The accurate colors for the Sioux medicine wheel is.

Black in the West and represents Earth. White in the North and represents Air. Red in the East and represents Fire. Yellow in the South and represents Water Green in the Center and represents Spirit

You can see the accurate layout of the Sioux medicine wheel on the cover of "Native Wisdom" by Ed McGaa.

Questions or comments. E-Mail me. Two Bears

Wah doh Ogedoda

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fools Crow, May 8, 2009

By 

mining woman "spiritual seeker" (cheyenne, wy usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fools Crow (Paperback)

I have read several books concerning Native American Holy Men. This is one of the best I have read. The book describes his life, vision and work. It is easy to read, very informative and makes me wish I could meet Fools Crow. Be sure to put this on your reading list.