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Summary: A Journal of Experience...
Review: One Thousand White Women is by far one of the best books that I have encountered. The characters have been beautifully created and it is interesting to see many well known historical figures and landmarks interwoven into the story. One Thousand White Women is a story of cultures, relationships, understanding, loss, overcoming, and ultimately, love. It is the story of 'civilized' society's lost and non-traditional white women who, for various reasons of their own, enlist in a goverment program to wed Cheyenne men. Each of these women present themselves in roles often not portrayed by mainstream women of the time. This makes the book very interesting. In contrast, Jim Fergus also illistrates Native culture and looks at the ordinary things that history often misses; relationships, humour, and the methods of survival among the people. The story is told through the eyes and pen of May Dodd as she details her experience among the Cheyenne people in a journal. In this journal she reconciles fears, indentifies similarities and differences in cultures, finds love, and yearns for peace. I would and have highly recommended this book to others. It is very thought provoking and would provide excellent discussion among book clubs.
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Summary: Vintage Adventure
Review: If you want to pick up a book and fall headlong into a compelling adventure, buy this book! The female characters are well written, heroic and very human. May Dodd's journals will transport you back to the Old West circa 1875 and for 302 pages you will be consumed. Some graphic hardship and violence are depicted but I think everyone but the super squeamish can handle it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Read
Review: You do need to be willing to suspend your disbelief of the situation, but if you can, you will not be disappointed! (We do that at movies all the time--why not books?) This is not historical fiction, but perhaps an alternate universe historial fiction! Fergus'(or May's) writing is beautiful, the characters are memorable, and the ending is unforgettable. If you are a stickler for history, you probably won't like the book, but it is a very entertaining "what-if."
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Summary: A wonderful read
Review: I was so struck by the beauty and sensuality of Fergus' writing that I gave the book to my daughter as a wedding gift. He has skillfully conveyed the truth of our native people - a visceral knowledge and connection with all life. Would that we "civilized" people understood.
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Summary: Why do great books get ignored?
Review: This is such a well-written book. I could not put it down! Once I was done reading this, my friends fought over who got to read it next. This is a phenomenal story actually based on some historical fact. Jim Fergus's historical knowledge is unbelievable. He is able to take history and make it stimulating and interesting. WELL WORTH A TRIP TO THE BOOKSTORE!
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Summary: A true gift
Review: When I am asked to suggest a book to someone, it is a pleasure to give them this beautiful story. This has become my gift to all of my siblings, friends, nieces, and work mates! Fergus has a rare jewel with this novel. I finished the book in two days and a week later found myself missing the characters! I need to read it again, I guess! Bravo, Mr. Fergus, and definately ENCORE!
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Summary: Great Storytelling!
Review: This book has been read and passed around a large group of friends, and everyone has loved it--most of the friends are Native Americans. It is fanciful, but not unbelievable, and the attitudes of the characters in the book are not out of line with true historical characters we can read about. As a student of Native American history, ancient to contemporary, I found this book highly entertaining, with scenes to laugh about and to cry about; that's what good literature is all about. Sure, one could fault Jim Fergus about some of his points of view and about the vehicle he uses to portray May Dodd, but so what? Shakespeare and Dickens have used vehicles that were just as "suspect." Forget being a realist, let go, and you'll find that this book is true, refreshing literature. I'd love to see this made into a movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Great idea, disappointing execution
Review: I thought this was a fantastic idea for a novel and was eager to read it but was disappointed in the actual book. It does seem to be well-researched but I felt that the characters were two-dimensional stereotypes and seemed to be written simply to be sympathetic for a contemporary reader, with contemporary sensibilities. They were not believeable 19th century characters. As a woman, I also felt that the main character was too obviously a woman's perspective written by a man.
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Summary: Great concept, beautiful cover, but .....
Review: One Thousand White Women joins a peculiar genre, the fantastic-premised historical fiction, that includes beauties like Little Big Man, Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, and I'd love to know what else. However, while these others (especially Little Big Man of course) are full fantastic novels, with challenging and entertaining insights into people's lives, a particular time and a compelling situation, One Thousand White Women is a Gothic romance of historical fantasy. From the choice of journal format, followed by a writing style that it is inconceivable that anyone would use in a journal writing (dialogue in a journal? Maybe, but not THIS dialogue), to the flat characters (Indian and otherwise) with their ahistorical attitudes and concerns, to the injection of contemporary public-school characterizations of burning political issues, the book fails to use its fantastic but rich premise to say anything the reader is better for having read. There are fascinating (and romantic) women's journals of this period--Susan Shelby Magoffin's, for instance--that make a better novel. This said, I read it all, which is something, I guess.
Rating:
Summary: One Thousand White Women
Review: I read this book as part of my book club. Everyone in the book club loved this book. You really felt you got to know the characters and we felt the plot was very interesting. The book led to a lot of great discussion and new ideas. I would recommend this book for any individual, but especially a book club.
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