Sharon M. reviewed on 2/17/2012 + 42 more book reviews

If I didnt know before hand that this book was a work of fiction, it would have been easy to think otherwise.

The Intro:

(1996) by J. Will Dodd, editor in chief of Chicagos city magazine and great-grandson of the (h) May Dodd, writes very convincingly. Thru the years rumors had circulated within the family about the crazy woman, born 1850, hospitalized at 23 for a nervous disorder, then died in the asylum in 1876. Ancestral insanity, an embarrassment, was a well kept hidden little secret.

While doing research on a piece about the old scions of Chicago, J.W. came across his great-grandmothers name and became obsessed to learn more about her... which eventually leads him to the Tongue River Indian Res of the Northern Cheyenne where he is granted access to May Dodds journals These he published in their entirety in this book.

The Prologue:

In 1874, Little Wolf, the great Cheyenne Sweet Medicine Chief, accompanied with a delegation of his tribesmen, journeyed to Washington to meet with President Ulysses S Grant. His purpose: To make a lasting peace with the whites to ensure the survival of his people. His plan expressed through an interpreter: A request for the gift of 1,000 white women as wives, to teach us and our children the new life that must be lived when the buffalo are gone.

Oh, this was great.

Fergus writing is vivid. Of course...

All hell broke loose.

In a sad way, the entire episode was kind of funny.

Well, I could go on, but to shorten a long storyin the end, the governments secret Brides for Indians program was born. Women volunteers were recruited from jails, penitentiaries, debtors prisons, and mental institutions. The volunteers were offered full pardons or unconditional release for participation in this noble duty to serve their country through this government program. HA HA

The Journals:

May Dodd was one diligent writer. Coming from one of the wealthiest families in Chicago, she was also a true Womens Libber, a scandalous embarrassment to one of Chicagos most prestigious families.

That last is what got her incarcerated into the Insane Asylum...by her family...for the remainder of her life.

Her journals read like a story. She misses nothing. She begins while imprisoned in the asylum, covering events that led her to that point, then on through to the very end of her lifes adventures.

I loved this character. Fergus included everything I like in a female lead...smart, adventurous, strong, courageous, fun, loving... He did her credit in writing from a womans perspective. As well as in his characterizations of the other women who made this journey with May on their Train Bound for Glory.

Each individual was unique with descriptions as to what led each of them to embark on this adventure. The author's details of their unique personalities brought them right off the pages to life.

I enjoyed every one of them.

Even the author's portrayal of the Cheyenne as a very primitive people is unique comparing it to other authors I've read. Took me to another place with the people.

I have to add that the scene which took place when the Cheyenne warriors 1st made their appearance to check out their 'wives' in all their painted glory was spectacular. So spectacular that some of the 'volunteers' among these Easteners lost their ever lovin minds. LOL

This one is a Keeper.

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