Rating: 
Summary: How did this book manage to get in print!
Review: If I could rate this below one star I would. This book covered every stereotype possible: the boozy, trashy, red-headed Irish twins; the big, homely, muscular, Swede; the racist, phony, southern belle; the filthy, rotted-tooth little Frenchman, etc. Of course, the heroine is "chosen" by the most well-respected and good looking brave. The author made sure there was a mate for every one of his characters, there even "happened" to be one Black brave to be paired with the regal, non-conformist, former slave woman. The premise to this novel is original but everything else was so cliche' it was embarrassing. The only part of the book the author seemed to put any effort into were the elaborate, porn-like, sex encounters. I'm no prude but these scenes were thrown in helter-skelter and added nothing to the story line what-so-ever. Don't waste your money or your time on this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous
Review: I loved this book and I hope that Mr. Fergus, who lives in "my" state, plans more along this line, as I am NOT interested in books about dogs and hunting. Please do read this book folks.
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother
Review: My book club read this book a few months ago. We were all very disappointed. The premise is wonderful and could have been a basis for an excellent story meshing two cultures. Ultimately it is a poorly written below avergae romance type book with a lead character who is manipulated to fit an unbelievable story line. The author often finds himself in a position where he "needs" an item (ie- a towel), has the heroine pull one out of her teepee and then explains she happened to bring one with her years before. Very disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money!
Review: This book has an interesting premise, but its execution lacks skill and intrigue. It is filled with one-dimensional characters, repetition and silliness. There are far superior books about similar subjects on the market; I heartily agree with the reader who recommends "Follow the River." Take a pass on "On Thousand White Women."
Rating: 
Summary: Very mixed
Review: While I found the story enjoyable it was not a fine piece of literature. The characters were...almost comical, and I don't believe Mr. Fergus knows a woman's mind as well as he might think. In fact some of his descriptions of sexual scenes almost seem like they come from his own fantasies - certainly not something a woman would have necessarily enjoyed or noted in a journal. And yet....... descriptions of the countryside and the Cheyenne way of life were so interesting and sympathetic. Worth a look if you enjoy this kind of story.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspirational journals
Review: The reviews might be mixed, but I loved this book. I borrowed it from the library and actually went out and bought my own copy before I even finished reading it. I was particularly impressed that a man was able to write the journals entirely from a woman's perspective and be so convincing. I was awed by May's strength, leadership and positive attitude during such a frightening and unexplored experience. Despite her tragic past and tragic demise, she lived a beautiful, respectful and loving existence among "the savages." I found her to be very inspirational.
As I live among a very high population of Native Americans and within miles of a major reservation, I find myself having newfound respect for the trials and tribulations the Native American people faced in the 1800s (and still today). Their lifestyle was not "savage," but beautiful and natural. It was how the white settlers treated them that was the tragic savageness of the story.
Rating:
Summary: Grade A for being thought provoking; but a C- for style and
Review: characters. This novel's premise was unusual though implausible. (Even if historical records show that the trade of white women for Indian horses was suggested, many sillier suggestions have gone on record.) But this novel, to its credit, explored the Cheyenne culture and at a critical time in history. We are made to realize that no issues are simple. The white women found that there were many things about living with the Cheyenne that they enjoyed and appreciated. At the same time we are shown via May Dodd's fictitious journal how the Indian culture was bound to run into severe conflict with the western moving/expanding white culture. The Cheyenne were nomadic people. They had always lived their lives on the move following the game. Owning property and farming a plot was something entirely foreign to them. The white culture on the other hand believed in staking a claim of land. That was part of their culture. And as the white women living with the Cheyenne found out, violence was a part of both cultures. Unfortunately, the writing doesn't hold up so well. I found the characters to be flat, unbelievable, and stereotypical. The story line was if not predictable, so implausible that at times verged on laughable. All this said, I would give this book a "guarded" recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Takes you to a different world
Review: I loved this book! It took me to a different world in a different time. I couldn't put it down. Excellent! This book reminds me of Memoirs of a Geisha because you are transported into a different world. I would highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: An EXCELLENT Read
Review: An excellent read. It was well worth the 48 hours I spent on it. Why have so many reviewers trashed this book to pieces? Maybe it is because of a lack of sympathy for the main character. While this book has its flaws, mostly relating to the protagonist's modern views on the role of women in society in the 19th century, it was surely not predictable, nor poorly written. It was written by a man from a woman's point of view and I believe that many of the reviewers here are scared to admit that a man can actually do a good job, no - an excellent job, in writing from a woman's point of view. Granted, some parts were obvious (killing the buffalo from the train) but necessary to draw in the reader to that time period. This book was an emotional journey to another time and another place. The author's use of non-fictional characters, places and events makes the book seem more non-fiction like. Personally, having the imagination to attempt a book like this is deserving of at least 4 stars by itself. Fiction books on non-fiction events are hard to write as they involve a combination of using research and imagination. Mr. Fergus does an excellent job of meshing the two together to produce an excellent read. Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: "Misguided Men"... now THERE's an understatement
Review: Read the author's intro! I had to keep reminding myself this is a work of fiction. If this novel HAD been based on historical truth, I would have been horrifically mesmerized. I've read quite a few novels of tribal life and the author stretches the imagination considering the era (late 1800's) and our heroines need to assert her women's rights. Ahead of her time, May Dodd, wealthy daughter of Chicago's elite, has affair with undesirable beneath her station, blue collar worker, who helped her make two babies without benefit of marriage. She's institutionalized by her parents for promiscuious behavior! In order to escape from the asylum, she volunteers to become an Indian Bride per a proposal from Cheyenne Chief Little Wolf to then President Grant. He naively feels the Indian people will more easity assimilate into the white culture and agrees. Tragic events(especially the mass extinction of a whole group of people) combined with excellent descriptions of many historical figures and landmarks, provided a thought provoking, fascinating and interesting account. The ending provided glory and blame for everyone involved in this fictionalized account of what a sad/tragic and cruel world the Indians and "white" people endured in 1875.
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