The Buffalo Hunters

The American Indians

by Time-Life Books

History, customs, mythology, and lore of the continent's first inhabitants are inter-woven in this rich new look at our Native American heritage. Lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs, paintings, drawings, and artifacts.

Genres: History, Anthropology

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

It still amazes me that a fella could write such great romantic stories of western life in the 1800's. This book is actually five short stories with the Buffalo Hunters being the longest. It has long descriptions of the masses of buffalo and how they ran over anything in their way; how the white hunters stalked the buffalo for their hides and fought the Indians over them. If you like Zane Grey you will like this one. I would have given a higher rating if the book was all one story ... but that's just my personal preference; I'm not much on short stories. Great reading.

[Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a goldfield of knowledge when it comes to the Native Americans that inhabited the Great Plains. It begins with doing an over view of the various tribes giving a brief synapses on each of the individual tribes and describe there basic language and physical features to give the reader an idea of how diverse the tribes actually where. The passages then transfer towards the ways of the families and clans. The way tribes varied so much is astounding and how efficient and resourceful the hunters on the plains was unmatched by any other race. A buffalos hid was used for shelter, clothing and blankets. The shoulder blades were perfect to be used as tools such as hoes and squash blades. Tendons that ran along the bison’s hind legs were flexible and durable to be turned into bowstrings. And what didn’t have an obvious purpose became an ornament for celebration and decoration. Finally the book comes to the customs and traditions of various tribes and how some are still in use till this very day.
It really isn’t a book that many would just pick up of the stand and has a narrower interest spectrum than many other titles. People that would be drawn to this would be those who show a decent amount of fascination In pre-pioneer history and are looking to expand their knowledge on the ways of the Great Plain Native Americans. “The Buffalo Hunters’ is not what I would call a progressive read. It would be more appeasing to those who already have a reasonable amount of knowledge about Native American history as parts of the book do not offer the most detail especially when tribe after tribe is introduced into the time lines.
Explain……. Although “The Buffalo Hunters’ is full of great information that certainly inspired me to be a consumer conscious person and to look after our environment.. (Something all New Zealanders are proud to support) I did find that the rate of information through at the reader often left me dumfounded with a large Q over my head. Like most literature in the form of historical writing often lead one’s eyes to become lead and after around a page or two; found myself going to sleep. Overall I did find it fascinating but there was just to much spread with little to explain and break down what I just read.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating glimpse of the by-gone world and beautiful way of life of the Native Americans of the northern plains , whose "glory days" occurred in the 19th century. Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, the tribes continue to hold on as best they can to the customs, ceremonies, handiwork, and wisdom of the old ways. I have new respect for these people who strove to live despite everything my people could do to wipe them off the face of the earth.