White Falcon

by Elliott Arnold

This book tells the true story of a frontier boy, John Tanner, who became the courageous leader of the Chippewa Indians and played an important part in the struggle for control of the fur trade in Northwest.

Captured by two Ojibwa Indians as a child in 1789 from present-day Kentucky and carried north into the Michigan Territory, John Tanner was allowed to live but was badly mistreated; although a capable, adaptive boy, the more he tried to be Indian the more he was rejected for being white. Then, two years later, Netnokwa, retiring chieftess of the tribe, adopted him and took him with her to live with the Chippewas. Life became socially easier and John’s natural abilities made him a leader. Rivalries ensued, both personal ones and those of the fur trading companies, but ultimately John makes his name in helping Selkirk with the Red River settlement.

A gripping read.

Genres: Historical Fiction

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Elliot Arnold was an American newspaper feature writer, novelist, screenwriter, and became a feature writer with the New York World-Telegram. Among his books, Elliott Arnold is probably best known for his novel Blood Brother that was made into the acclaimed 1950 motion picture Broken Arrow and an ensuing 1956 television series of the same name. Among his other works, his 1949 biography of Sigmund Romberg was made into the 1954 musical film, Deep in My Heart.
Elliott Arnold died in New York City in 1980 at the age of sixty-seven. He was married to actress Glynis Johns.

Reviews

[Raymond Paszkiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books growing up. I still have my hard cover from 35 years ago. I loved this book more than James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans and that book and author is also one of my favorites. I think since the book is about a young boy taken in by Native Americans, it resonated with me more at that time. Too bad it is so hard to find a copy now - a really great story.

[Jaime Hay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the 1958 William Allen White Children’s Book Award winner. A biography of John Taylor’s life, this story has some interesting themes related to identity, power, and culture paired with constant action as John Taylor navigates survival and acceptance amidst complications of fur trading, and the introduction of weapons and alcohol to the Chippewa tribe. Arnold was known for writing more nuanced representation of Native American characters at time of this books publication in 1955, but I’m not sure his representation of characters has been able to stand the test of time. This children’s book is likely an adaption from John Taylor’s memoir “A Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner” published in 1830.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story of early times when a young man works with the Chippewa Indians. I like that this author writes stories that look at both sides of the conflict of Native Americans and white people

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

"White Falcon" is a novel I read in 1967 for an assignment. A young boy named John Tanner is adopted by the Ottawa and the Chippewa tribes and he is treated as a son.

[Ronald]

possibly read in winter 1967