Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin [Hardcover]

Susanna Reich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2008 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

George Catlin is one of America’s best-known painters, famous for his iconic portraits of Native Americans. He spent much of his life in the wilderness, sketching and painting as he traveled. A solo trek across 500 miles of uncharted prairie, an expedition to the Andes, harrowing encounters with grizzly bears and panthers, and tours of the royal palaces of Europe were among his many adventures. In an era when territorial expansion resulted in the near annihilation of many indigenous cultures, George Catlin dedicated himself to meeting and writing about the native peoples of the western hemisphere. With his “Indian Gallery” of paintings and artifacts, he toured the United States and Europe, stirring up controversy and creating a sensation.
Award-winning author Susanna Reich combines excerpts from Catlin’s letters and notes with vivid depictions of his far-flung travels. Generously illustrated with archival prints and photos and Catlin’s own magnificent paintings, here is a rollicking, accessible biography that weaves meticulously researched history into a fascinating frontier and jungle adventure story.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 5–8—Using primary sources, including Catlin's own diaries and letters, Reich helps readers understand the importance of the artist's work and to see him as a man in his own time. The personal documents expose both selfless and selfish sides of his character. At times, he was sensitive to the Native peoples and their cultures, but he also used them for his own gain. Readers also see the artist as a neglectful family man and less-than-successful businessman; however, above all, Catlin is seen as an adventurer. Many of his paintings illustrate the text and add to a sense of excitement. A few of the larger reproductions are in color, giving a clearer view of the artist's palette and style. Other period works are also included. All are well captioned with additional identification and information that ties in to the text. Quotations are carefully documented in chapter footnotes. The author's note explains her choice of terminology and spelling as well as her efforts to avoid cultural bias in writing this book. This is an excellent choice for libraries looking for good biographies, either for reports or pleasure reading.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Reich's own words (“As a white person writing about American Indians, I have tried to be respectful . . . but, like George, I cannot completely erase my cultural biases, no matter how hard I try,”) reflect the dominant theme of her handsome biography of  nineteenth-century painter George Catlin, famous for his portraits of Native American life. Underlying the lucid, detailed discussion of the artist, which is illustrated with beautiful archival prints and photographs of his work, are the whites’ conflicting views of Indian peoples, then and now—especially the image of the “noble savage.” Quoting extensively from Catlin’s letters and notes, Reich shows how he was driven to paint authentic cultural rituals and individuals, to champion the Indians’cause, and to record their rich, vanishing way of life in all its diversity. At the same time, she never denies that Catlin exploited his subjects, exhibiting the “primitives,” in the U.S. and abroad. There are long captions with the paintings, and the extensive back matter includes thorough chapter notes, a bibliography, and a time line. A great introduction to Catlin’s work as well as an excellent title to use in social studies, history, and art classes. Grades 7-12. --Hazel Rochman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (August 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618714707
• ISBN-13: 978-0618714704
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,182,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

An award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults, Susanna Reich has driven big trucks, designed flowers in honor of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and done graduate work in ancient Hawaiian hula. Her honors include the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, Int'l Latino Book Award, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Notable & Best Books for Young Adults, School Library Journal Best Books, Kirkus Best Young Adult Books, Booklist Top Ten Arts Books for Youth, and many others. Ms. Reich sits on the Board of Trustees of PEN American Center and is Chair of its Children's and Young Adult Book Authors Committee. She speaks nationally at schools and industry conferences. Visit her online at www.susannareich.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look at art, history, and the "informed outsider", November 25, 2008

By 

Mitali Perkins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin (Hardcover)

This beautiful book reminded me why I loved well-told biographies as a child and still do. Reich's story and Catlin's art have the power to make a chunk of American history absolutely unforgettable.

In the foreword to PAINTING THE WILD FRONTIER, Reich describes Catlin as providing an "informed outsider's viewpoint," telling us that "he clearly worked hard to express it with a high degree of integrity." His victories and mistakes provide insight for modern-day artists and writers striving for integrity as we cross boundaries to tell stories.

Essentially, a biographer is always an informed outsider, and Reich, who wrote another excellent book about José Limón, is passionate about meticulous research. To write this book, for example, she studied 19th-century portraiture, landscape, and genre painting, the history of art patronage, and the evolution of 18th- and 19th-century aesthetic philosophies. Among other topics, she researched Native American cultures and the settlement of the West, as well as the interaction of Europeans and indigenous peoples in South America and the principles of anthropology.

The result of her commitment to excellence in research and storytelling is this highly recommended book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catlin book, September 13, 2008

By 

Caroline W. Crollard "Caroline - luvstoread" (Idaho USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin (Hardcover)

This book is a very readable blend of pictures and text. As a collector of Catlin works, this book was helpful to me.....it filled in some gaps in my knowledge of the artist and his work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Catlin's Wild Frontier, July 14, 2011

By 

Amore - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin (Hardcover)

Easy to read but includes all critical details of Catlin's extrodinary, tragic, and ultimately redemptive life. This book is a terrific resource for middle school students and adults who what to learn more about a painter who saved our history.