When the Legends Die [Hardcover]

Hal Borland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1963

When his father killed another brave, Thomas Black Bull and his parents sought refuge in the wilderness. There they took up life as it had been in the old days, hunting and fishing, battling for survival. But an accident claimed the father's life and the grieving mother died shortly afterward. Left alone, the young Indian boy vowed never to retum to the white man's world, to the alien laws that had condemned his father.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

When his father killed another brave, Thomas Black Bull and his parents sought refuge in the wilderness. There they took up life as it had been in the old days, hunting and fishing, battling for survival. But an accident claimed the father's life and the grieving mother died shortly afterward. Left alone, the young Indian boy vowed never to return to the white man's world, to the alien laws that had condemned his father. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

When his father killed another brave, Thomas Black Bull and his parents sought refuge in the wilderness. There they took up life as it had been in the old days, hunting and fishing, battling for survival. But an accident claimed the father's life and the grieving mother died shortly afterward. Left alone, the young Indian boy vowed never to retum to the white man's world, to the alien laws that had condemned his father. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: J. B. Lippincott; 1st edition (June 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039700303X
• ISBN-13: 978-0397003037
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,652,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has touched my life, April 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: When The Legends Die (Mass Market Paperback)

Legends is one of the most important books I ever read in my life. It is not only a touching, gripping novel but also a symbolic story about the life between two worlds Native Americans have to deal with until today. I found this book under rather special circumstances: A German writer, Liselotte Welskopf-Henrich, uses this novel in her own book in a scene where a young Native teacher has to try and explain to 18 year old Lakota students on Pine Ridge Reservation why they should be interested in (European) literature... I thought that this novel was fictional, but later, just before my English exam, I found out differently. I used the book for my diploma and even though my English was average, I got the best possible grades! The teacher felt how much I loved that book. I urge you to read it, it's a masterpeace. And it also features some really good rodeo action! The end is not as sad as it would probably be in real life, but what the heck, I think it's great that the author gave his hero a chance to change his life and get back in touch with his past and the way of life his parents tought him.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hmmm....how to describe, September 27, 2004

By 

J. Matulionis "book-lover extraordinaire" (Elmhurst, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When The Legends Die (Mass Market Paperback)

This book, I have a hard time even describing. I picked it up for the first time in high school, for a book report. I was completely mesmerized by the story. Maybe not even the story, but the feeling the book gives off. Intense sadness, isolation by choice, integration by force....then there's the way it's brought into the beautiful, painful scenery. It's been a couple of years since I've read this, so I'm not going to quote exact details. However, it's a rare book that I can look back on, and set myself into, because I remembered the way scenes felt. That's not just good writing. That's fantastic writing, in my opinion. If you want a book that will stick with you, long after you've finished it, try this one. I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, honest, and provocative. It will challenge you., September 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: When The Legends Die (Mass Market Paperback)

When the Legends Die is a compelling novel about the struggle of a Native American in a white man's world. Thomas Black Bull searches for his identity and place in life through many hardships and disappointments. Effective for young adult readers, the novel brings up questions about culture, identity, and tradition vs. change. The book is both provocative and easy to read at the same time. I definitely recommend this novel to all ages, but especially high school age students. It challenges one's beliefs and ideas about culture and "living."