These Were the Sioux (Bison Book) [Paperback]

Mari Sandoz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bison Book | Publication Date: September 1, 1985

"The Sioux Indians came into my life before I had any preconceived notions about them," writes Mari Sandoz about the visitors to her family homestead in the Sandhills of Nebraska when she was a child. These Were the Sioux, written in her last decade, takes the reader far inside a world of rituals surrounding puberty, courtship, and marriage, as well as the hunt and the battle.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"These Were the Sioux compels attention because it is authoritative; it compels admiration because it was written from the heart." —V.P. Hass, Chicago Sunday Tribune

(V.P. Hass Chicago Sunday Tribune )

"The Sioux book gives the lore and logic of Indian life. It is rapid reading. Yet it unobtrusively overflows with Miss Sandoz''s lifetime love and respect for these plains pioneers, and with her careful insights into their ways." —R. C. Nelson, Christian Science Monitor

(R. C. Nelson Christian Science Monitor )

"Here in these well established patterns of conduct . . . is a picture of an orderly, deeply respected way of life that is no more. . . . A worthwhile appraisal." —Kirkus

(Kirkus )

"It clearly demonstrates the understanding of Indians that can be offered by a gifted, sensitive writer who has had extensive first-hand knowledge of the Indian people about whom she writes." —J. C. Ewers, Saturday Review of Literature

(J. C. Ewers Saturday Review of Literature )

Product Details

• Paperback: 118 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (September 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803291515
• ISBN-13: 978-0803291515
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #971,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sandoz knows her subject well, December 1, 2001

By 

V. J. ELIA "Veejer" (Cape May, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: These Were the Sioux (Bison Book) (Paperback)

Mari Sandoz, the daughter of German-Swiss parents, was born in 1896 on the Great Plains of Nebraska, and spent much of her young life amid the Sioux tribes there at that time. This book, which is only 118 pages long, briefly depicts much of what she learned first-hand of Sioux customs and rituals. She writes with great intimacy, love, and a depth of knowledge that few could match. Her prose sometimes meanders, and often gives the sense of being unstructured, without a coherent thread. This might bother some and not others. Admittedly, it bothered me at times, as I prefer my facts and history presented in a more cohesive context. That said, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in Native American history.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. See also Crazy Horse and Cheyenne Autumn, October 24, 2001

By 

Rory L. Michaelis "fudoh" (SF, CA, Plutocratic States of America) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: These Were the Sioux (Bison Book) (Paperback)

This is a clarification of the review below by:
natasha trotskygrad from moscow, Ussr.

Mari Sandoz was a FEMALE author from northern Nebraska. :)

And this is a great Sioux book, but even more highly recommended is Sandoz' CRAZY HORSE biography. Sandoz was quite respected by the native population and did extensive research for all of her books. Her book on Crazy Horse even used first hand oral accounts with those who knew Crazy Horse.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful description of a wonderful people, December 19, 2000

By 

ROBERT KINGSLEY (Fort Collins, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: These Were the Sioux (Bison Book) (Paperback)

Mari Sandoz' use of language and personal experience resulted in a beautiful description of a wonderful people. At times heart warming and at other times quite sad, it is one of the most engaging accounts of Indian life I ever read. If you want a glimpse of the heart of a people, buy this book!