Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read but very insightful. I enjoyed the wisdom of the Native American and find it interesting that for so many of us we view the Native American culture as backward or uncivilized. Americans have a lot to learn about life and our Native Americans may be just the people to teach us. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I found this book through the Museum at Central School in Kalispell MT. Thank you Gil Jordan, Executive Director.

One of the best books I've ever read. Plenty Coups recounts his life growing up in the Crow tribe during the 1800's. Beautiful. Mystical. Heroic. It's an easy read but will keep everyone from 10 to 100 spellbound.

The autobiography of Chief Plenty-Coups is a fascinating account, not just of Plains Indian life, but of the rise of a leader who was brave, honest, and fair in all aspects of his life. Here was a man who learned to compromise and build a consensus when acting for his people. This should be required readng for all children, and for any adult who has aspirations as a leader of children, of a community, or a nation. If physical prowess and aggressive territoriality are really to be the hallmarks of our society's heroes, then let us have a role model that adds to those qualities expert diplomacy and a deep caring for the nation's children. That this book is in his own words makes it more powerful and persuasive. While this edition does not have the illustrations of the 1935 school text edition, it does have photographs, a map, and background information about Plenty-Coups' life and importance in our nation's history.

It is great reading about this famous man of the Crow tribe. Because of the relationship of the Plains Indians it is good to read as much as I can find about all of them to get the best picture of what their lives were really like from as much of their own perspective as possible. Many should be reading as much as possible to keep perspectives open and growing. Thanks for having these books available. Of course, one always has to consider the authors, politics of the "day, and hidden agendas. All of that plays a part in how we view the past, and all we can do is make an effort to sift through all the stories. I must admit to being alarmed that the book by Erdoes and John Fire Lame Deer now has a disclaimer in the latest addition that the work is "fictional." What is going on here??? Something to ponder.

What a fantastic book. Plenty Coups consented to narrate his life story to Linderman because he trusted him and felt it was important for the Crow people to remember their heritage. He had his foot in two worlds. He was the transition Chief and the last Chief of the Crows. Read this book and mourn the life that what was, that the white man took away,and work to bring the bison back where they once roamed.

a must for anyone who will be visiting Montana's Indian territory. It not only describes the lifestyle of Indian Tribes, but also how modern times took away that lifestyle during that era.