One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus – 434 pages
Book Blurb:
One Thousand White Women is the story of May Dodd and a colorful assembly of pioneer women who, under the auspices of the U.S. government, travel to the western prairies in 1875 to intermarry among the Cheyenne Indians. The covert and controversial “Brides for Indians” program, launched by the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, is intended to help assimilate the Indians into the white man’s world. Toward that end, May and her friends embark upon the adventure of their lifetime. Jim Fergus has so vividly depicted the American West that it is as if these diaries are a capsule in time.
My Review: 4 stars
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I adored this book. It’s a fictionalized account of what would’ve happened had the 1854 Act “Brides For Indians” taken place. Often it’s rough reading in some places as we learn about what some of the women are subjected to. Told from the protagonist May Dodd’s diary entries, we are offered a good look into the time period on the Western plains and get a first hand glance at the struggles of the Cheyenne Indians.
Quotes I liked:
Don’t you know that I laugh because it is my last defense against tears?”
-“…how odd to think of one’s life not as chapters in a book but as complete volumes, separate and distinct.”
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Good Book Fairy- I read this book years ago and have never forgotten it. It was one of those books that I didn’t expect to like (a book club required reading scenario) and instead I found that I couldn’t put it down. It offers a fascinating glimpse of a point in history that I was never aware of and was fascinated to learn about. Keep up the good work GBF!
I agree Claire. This was a winner! Have you read his other book, Wild Girl? I’d highly recommend that as well. Thanks for the commentary!
GBF- Thanks for the suggestion. I will add this to my “list”. Have you ever read “Year of Wonders” by Geraldine Brooks? It was another one of those period books that I could not put down. It’s about a plague and it’s graphic and scary to think about but fascinating nonetheless. You might add this to your list if you have read it already!
Yes! It’s one of my favorites.