Plenty-coups: Chief of the Crows (Second Edition) (Bison Book) [Paperback]

Frank B. Linderman (Author), Barney Old Coyote Jr. (Introduction), Phenocia Bauerle (Introduction), Timothy P. McCleary (Afterword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2002 | Series: Bison Book

In his old age, Plenty-coups (1848–1932), the last hereditary chief of the Crow Indians, told the moving story of his life to Frank B. Linderman, the well-known western writer who had befriended him. Plenty-coups is a classic account of the nomadic, spiritual, and warring life of Plains Indians before they were forced onto reservations. Plenty-coups tells of the great triumphs and struggles of his own life: his powerful medicine dreams, marriage, raiding and counting coups against the Lakotas, fighting alongside the U.S. Army, and the death of General Custer.

This new edition allows readers to appreciate more fully the accomplishments and rich legacy of Plenty-coups. A previously unpublished essay by Linderman tells of his meeting and working with the chief. An introduction by Phenocia Bauerle and Barney Old Coyote Jr., both members of the Crow Nation, speaks to the enduring importance of Plenty-coups for the Crow people in the twenty-first century; an afterword by Timothy P. McCleary, also of the Crow Nation, highlights the pivotal role Plenty-coups played during the early reservation years after the buffalo had gone; an essay by Celeste River examines the special relationship between the old chief and Linderman; a map of Plenty-coups's world highlights places named in the story; a glossary of Crow words and concepts found in the story draws upon the latest orthographic standards and contemporary translation; and a photo gallery showcases both Plenty-coups at different stages of his life and unforgettable scenes of his world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"All my life I have tried to learn as the Chickadee learns, by listening,—profiting by the mistakes of others, that I might help my people. . . . My whole thought is of my people. I want them to be healthy, to become again the race they have been."—Plenty Coups

(Plenty Coups )

"An exciting account by one of the last great chiefs."—Los Angeles Times

(Los Angeles Times )

"The eloquent memoir . . . is one of the best of the Indian autobiographies."—American Heritage

(American Heritage )

About the Author

Frank B. Linderman is the author of Pretty-shield: Medicine Woman of the Crows, available in a Bison Books edition. Phenocia Bauerle and Barney Old Coyote Jr. are the editor and compiler, respectively, of The Way of the Warrior: Stories of the Crow People, (Nebraska 2003). Timothy P. McCleary teaches anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is the author of The Stars We Know: Crow Indian Astronomy and Lifeways.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803280181
• ISBN-13: 978-0803280182
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Native American

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure of Real History - Beyond "Dances with Wolves", June 19, 2007

By 

Andrew Freborg (Stow, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plenty-coups: Chief of the Crows (Second Edition) (Bison Book) (Paperback)

I can't say enough good things about this book. Originally written almost 70 years ago, here we have the life story in detail of a key figure of 19th century Native America. There is no flowery, new-age like embellishment; no underlying PC romanticism or latent anti-Indian bias. The narrative is essentially a transcription of Plenty Coups own words describing his life and the culture of the Crows and other northern plains tribes. The good, bad, beauty and harshness of the times are vividly (and accessibly) captured for the reader. This is NOT DRY READING by any means :-) Plenty Coups tells it like it really was - tough people in a tough environment. A MUST for Native American history buffs. Highly Recommended.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring read!, June 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Plenty-Coups, Chief of the Crows (Paperback)

To put it bluntly, this book changed my life! I found the old chief's stories mesmerizing and this has inspired a life-long interest in Native American culture and its preservation. The story is well written and easily followed. I first read this book at about age 10, and still find it stirring now, at age 37. A MUST READ for folks wanting to know more about the plight and past of the Crow.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Glimpse Into The Life of a Truly Great Chief, July 6, 2007

By 

Guild Fish (Hoosier in Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plenty-coups: Chief of the Crows (Second Edition) (Bison Book) (Paperback)

I wouldn't call this book your typical sequential biography, it's just Chief Plenty Coup's recollections of some of the personel events that occurred during his life. It's like listening to the stories of your father, or grandfather. Mr. Linderman also adds in bits of information about the Crow way of life.

I have read a few books on the general history of Native Americans, but I am finding myself leaning towards books that deal with specific tribes, or individuals. It is even more interesting when the book, like this one, has the views, or stories from someone who has actually lived the life.

I highly recommend this book!