Customer Reviews

Moon of Bitter Cold

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Western historical fiction is in good hands in the wake of the passing of the late, great Terry C. Johnston. Frederick Chiaventone has written the absolute best novel on the so-called "Red Cloud War." This book is a crackling good read that does not sacrifice historical accuracy one iota. Most books on this period of time put Red Cloud in the background and concentrate on the better-known(to the average Joe and Josephine) Crazy Horse. But Chiaventone digs into the personality of Red Cloud and gives us much more than a two-dimensional character, warts and all he gives us a vivid portrayal of the Lakota leader. He also goes into the internal tribal politics, and also the cliques and politics of the military of the times. Even minor characters come to life. There is no political correctness infecting this novel in order to cater to the sensibilities of today's reading public. You get the idea that this was how it happened, and the author's extensive research shows. And the fact that it reads like a crackling good yarn, not a bit dry, is a testimony to his skills as a writer. In all I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves great fiction of any genre. It is that good. Frederick Chiaventone has elevated himself to the forefront of western novelists, and one can only hope he gets better and better.

Having served with Frederick J. Chiaventone in a previous life, I was curious about his book. I have not read his first book, but I'm going to now. Moon of Bitter Cold is a tremendous work. His attention to detail and storytelling ability kept me from putting it down. This is a book that both a recreational reader and the historian will appreciate. Free of bravado, historically accurate, and characters fleshed out without bias, it's the best historical novel I've read. Congratulations Fred.

When Terry C. Johnston passed away, I was wondering who would inherit the crown he wore as the best western historical novelist. Look no further than Frederick Chiaventone. This novel is the best in the genre since the heyday of Will Henry, thoroughly researched, historically accurate, and immensely readable. Chiaventone delves into the personalties of the characters yet never sacrifices the historical foundations of the story he is telling. His action scenes are well written and really crackle with force, and unlike some ponderous writers he does not bog down into dullness when the action in the story winds down into everyday life. Chiaventone keeps the readers interest throughout the novel. In all the books I have read that used the Sioux War of 1866 as a background, none have delved into the character of Oglala Lakota chief Red Cloud in such detail as this book. Usually he comes across as a cardboard figure, in the background with the young Crazy Horse front and center. Chiaventone gives us a very real Red Cloud, with all his flaws as well as his great traits in splendid detail. This book and C.J Box's novel "Open Season" were the only two recent novels I have read straight through without pause. I intend to read Mr. Chiaventone's first novel as soon as I can obtain it. Saddened by the passing of a master such as Terry c. Johnston, I am heartened to see the rise of the genius that is Frederick Chiaventone.

This is a superb novel measured by any standard. With remarkable balance and insight, Chiaventone tells both the Indian and white-man's side of a fascinating, little-known episode in American history--and he tells them equally well. On one hand, the author certainly avoids the old film cliches--but he also escapes the modern nonsense of the Dances With Wolves apologists. His American Indians don't need--or want--pity; these are brave, brilliant warriors from a richly-depicted culture. Yet, he gets the frontier cavalry exactly right, too--his heroes (and villains) are never cardboard cut-outs, but fully-rounded, intensely-human characters. The authenticity is impeccable. I simply loved this book--as I loved Chiaventone's first novel on the Little Big Horn. Handsomely and convincingly written, Moon of Bitter Cold brings you the bitter cold of the Western prairies, indeed, and the sounds of a weary march, of sudden battle, and echoes of so much that has been lost since the days of Red Cloud. Wonderful reading, very highly recommended.

The battle scene in the second half of the book was worth putting up with some of the long scene-setting of the first half. Dialogue was superb. There is a fine line between showing and telling and it takes some practice for good non-fiction writers or good historical-fiction writers to get it down. In my humble opinion, the reader has a sixth sense about knowing which is which. Chiaventone is learning his craft well.

I finished this book faster than I intended. If you enjoy the late Terry Johnston's books you should like this. Actually, in terms of readability, I think Chiaventone is a notch above. However, I didn't buy into all of the Native American dialogue. For instance, I have a hard time believing that Spotted Tail's daughter called him "papa." In the closing chapter called The Ghost Road (composed of very brief biographies of some of the main players of the story) Chiaventone mistakenly implies that Dull Knife and Little Wolf tried to escape to Canada after the Battle of the Little Bighorn (they were making their way from Oklahoma to Montana, not Canada). Overall, Chiaventone pretty much follows the known historical record (just read Absaraka: Home of the Crows by Margaret I. Carrington and The Fetterman Massacre by Dee Brown for most of the information contained in this novel). For some reason he mentions Wooden Leg twice (a Cheyenne warrior who was about eight in 1866). I'm sure he knows this, but for reasons that escape me, chose to include him anyway. I will close with this: Chiaventone's battle scenes are perhaps the best I've ever read.

I am not usually a non-fiction reader, but was recommended to Chiaventone's works and thought I'd try fiction for a change. What a fortunate decision!

This work portrays the politics, views and goals of the Indian side while also giving readers a real feel for the difficulties faced by the US soldiers on the ground. The characters are real and are fleshed out. The level of detail transports you to the period and you get a glimpse of the motivations of the people in that harsh and unforgiving situation.

Th brutality is presented starkly and without glory, while personal courage is given its full due. I don't know enough to comment on the strict accuracy of the events, and he makes reference to the fact that he did take some "liberties" with events in the epilogue. But he does provide many footnotes to help the reader understand the context of events.

I have no hesitation recommending this novel to anyone. It opened my eyes to the place of historical fiction in helping to remind us that 'real' history is about real people. I look forward to future novels from Mr Chiaventone.

Frederick J. Chiaventone has been selected to receive the annual "Wrangler Award" for "Moon of Bitter Cold" as the Outstanding Novel of the American West 2003. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum announced the 2003 winners of the 42nd Western Heritage Awards. Other recipients of the award this year include Jeffery Katzenberg of Dreamworks SKG and actor Patrick Stewart. Past recipients of the coveted award include actors Clint Eastwood (for Unforgiven), Kevin Costner (for Dances With Wolves), Tom Selleck, and Sam Elliott, and authors A.B. Guthrie, Dr. Brian Dippie, David McCullough, Alvin M. Josephy, Thomas Berger, and James A. Michener.

Chiaventone's previous novel "A Road We Do Not Know" about the disastrous battle of the Little Bighorn won the Ambassador William Colby Award for Literature. Both novels deal with the dilemma of the clash of cultures which results in military catastrophe. Chiaventone is a retired Army officer and former Professor of International Security Affairs at the US Army Command & General Staff College where he taught guerrilla warfare and counter-terrorism operations to senior officers. He is also a member of the Colby Circle of military authors along with fellow writers Tom Clancy, Mark Bowden, WEB Griffin, and others.