Medicine Hat [Mass Market Paperback]

Don Coldsmith (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Spanish Bit Saga | Publication Date: February 2, 1998

When Pipe Bearer, the young shaman of the Elk-Dog people dreams of a powerful spirit-horse--one bearing distinctive, hat-like markings on its head and ears--he knows he is being sent an important message. But he cannot interpret its meaning. Soon after, a colt is born bearing the exact markings he dreamed about and he is directed to undertake a long quest to the lands of the Pawnee and Lakota in order to learn the meaning of this event. Disguised as traders, he and his wife, Otter Woman, will encounter many wonders and not a few dangers before they discover the meaning of the colt with the Medicine Hat.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

When Pipe Bearer, the young shaman of the Elk-Dog people dreams of a powerful spirit-horse--one bearing distinctive, hat-like markings on its head and ears--he knows he is being sent an important message. But he cannot interpret its meaning. Soon after, a colt is born bearing the exact markings he dreamed about and he is directed to undertake a long quest to the lands of the Pawnee and Lakota in order to learn the meaning of this event. Disguised as traders, he and his wife, Otter Woman, will encounter many wonders and not a few dangers before they discover the meaning of the colt with the Medicine Hat.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Domain (February 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055329475X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553294750
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #765,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refeshing and unique, July 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Medicine Hat (Spanish Bit Saga of the Plains Indians) (Hardcover)

Holy man Pipe Bearer, a member of the southern people, starts having visions of a special horse that seems to be wearing a medicine hat on his head. When the special horse with the medicine hat top is born, Pipe Bearer realizes that he has a quest to accomplish. He does not know where he must go or what his mission is. He tosses the stones and learns that he must head north with medicine hat horse accompanying him. His wife Otter Woman joins him on his quest. They travel north under the guise of being traders, the only group of people who can safely journey among the various tribes.

For the first few days of their trek, nothing eventful occurs though they meet many people. Things dramatically change when an out of control prairie fire occurs. Pipe Bearer and Otter Woman manage to save themselves and help another couple fleeing the fire, Lone Walker and his wife Plum Flower. The foursome becomes friends and travels together in search of completing the unknown quest, knowing that more adventure awaits them before their journey is completed.

MEDICINE HAT is an exciting, insightful novel whose authenticity will thrill fans of Indian tales and historical fiction. The characters (primary and secondary) seem to be so life like and the trip so genuine, readers will believe they are along for the ride. This novel is not an action-packed, save the world thriller. Instead Don Coldsmith has painted a brilliant and charming story of Indian mysticism during the nineteenth century.

Harriet Klausner