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Seven Years with the Indians
When the Ainsleys joined the westward expansion of the U.S. in 1862, they could never have imagined the heartbreak awaiting them. Settled in the beautiful Yellowstone Valley and building a new life, their daughter Lillian was taken by Indians. For seven years, Lillian lived with the Nez Perce, until her childhood friend, Mathew Bently struck out into the wilderness to find her. His adventures and hers are the true story told here in this long out-of-print book. Every memoir of the American West provides us with another view of the westward expansion that changed the country forever. For the first time, this volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 14, 2021
History
When i was a child, i read Nine Years With the Indians, as my aunt owned a copy given to her by clise relatives of the man that book was about. It fascinated me.
The history i was taught in school was so dry, and did not really portray at all the lives of the people who settled America. Then, i found the biography of Liver Eatin’ Johnson, and again brushed against stories of those times of Mountain Men and The Rockies.
Many years ago, I had the opportunity to become acquainted with some Native American artists—potters, silversmiths, and weavers. I spent time with them in their hones and enjoyed their families and felt the way my own extended family felt.
A few weeks ago I watched Dances With Wolves again, and it whetted my interest, once more, in captives’ stories. Now, when I read these stories, I am filled with sadness and anger over how we wiped out a way of life of the first people who populated this land.
This particular narrative does not talk so much about the Indian side of it, and it shows the obvious lack of understanding and regard we had for these original inhabitants and their rights. This is also obvious in most other narratives.
What this narrative does do, is describe the wildness of the country then, and how this protagonist was affected by this wildness and beauty. He was a lucky man who sounded like he had a good heart. And, it is a great adventure story. What a great wild place this continent once was. Before we came…
When i was a child, i read Nine Years With the Indians, as my aunt owned a copy given to her by clise relatives of the man that book was about. It fascinated me.
The history i was taught in school was so dry, and did not really portray at all the lives of the people who settled America. Then, i found the biography of Liver Eatin’ Johnson, and again brushed against stories of those times of Mountain Men and The Rockies.
Many years ago, I had the opportunity to become acquainted with some Native American artists—potters, silversmiths, and weavers. I spent time with them in their hones and enjoyed their families and felt the way my own extended family felt.
A few weeks ago I watched Dances With Wolves again, and it whetted my interest, once more, in captives’ stories. Now, when I read these stories, I am filled with sadness and anger over how we wiped out a way of life of the first people who populated this land.
This particular narrative does not talk so much about the Indian side of it, and it shows the obvious lack of understanding and regard we had for these original inhabitants and their rights. This is also obvious in most other narratives.
What this narrative does do, is describe the wildness of the country then, and how this protagonist was affected by this wildness and beauty. He was a lucky man who sounded like he had a good heart. And, it is a great adventure story. What a great wild place this continent once was. Before we came…
July 22, 2021
Loved Reading This True Story!
The story of Lillian’s capture, life with the Indians, and rescue is a wonderful story of how God can orchestrate people, circumstances, and events to answer prayer. It is also a testament of how God can place intuition and longing inside the human heart to accomplish His purpose. I highly recommend this book!!! If you love history, true stories, love stories, and happy endings, you will thoroughly enjoy this book!
The story of Lillian’s capture, life with the Indians, and rescue is a wonderful story of how God can orchestrate people, circumstances, and events to answer prayer. It is also a testament of how God can place intuition and longing inside the human heart to accomplish His purpose. I highly recommend this book!!! If you love history, true stories, love stories, and happy endings, you will thoroughly enjoy this book!
December 16, 2021
An amazing story
This is an unforgettable story of survival and life in the old west is filled with twists of fate and amazing moments of Matthew and Lillian a testament to love,determination and raw courage although the title is a bit misleading
This is an unforgettable story of survival and life in the old west is filled with twists of fate and amazing moments of Matthew and Lillian a testament to love,determination and raw courage although the title is a bit misleading
March 28, 2022
Dramatic license or True History.
It does read like a true story, if so it was incredible. Was it to good to be true? I enjoyed this whether fact or fiction. I loved how the story didn't waste words but moved along and kept my interest. Very satisfying
It does read like a true story, if so it was incredible. Was it to good to be true? I enjoyed this whether fact or fiction. I loved how the story didn't waste words but moved along and kept my interest. Very satisfying
August 26, 2020
The ebook I read had many typos. The story itself was good, if you look beyond the fact it was originally published in 1897 and written as such. (Not politically correct)
October 17, 2021
Didn’t finish it. Kinda mundane and boring.
May 3, 2022
Veey basic
Written like a ten year old chuld wrote it. Very predictable. Sounded more lije a novel than a true storg.
Written like a ten year old chuld wrote it. Very predictable. Sounded more lije a novel than a true storg.
May 9, 2022
Cute Short Story
This short story is a cute tale of love, faithfulness, promise, and happy endings. Very much would recommend for a quick read.
This short story is a cute tale of love, faithfulness, promise, and happy endings. Very much would recommend for a quick read.
August 11, 2022
7 years with the Indians
A memoir of a young woman that was stolen by the Nez Perce tribe and lived with them for seven years.
A memoir of a young woman that was stolen by the Nez Perce tribe and lived with them for seven years.
September 25, 2023
Easy read.
Since I have a small amount of time to read, this was a very quick book to read. I enjoyed it.
Since I have a small amount of time to read, this was a very quick book to read. I enjoyed it.
November 8, 2023
Fascinating story
I enjoyed this book but would have appreciated more detail especially about the Indian way of life.
Where did they live, what did they eat.
I enjoyed this book but would have appreciated more detail especially about the Indian way of life.
Where did they live, what did they eat.
November 27, 2022
Read this book for my history project on Native Americans and is super racist and demanding towards Native Americans. Since it was written in 1880 by a white Mormon, the book paints Native Americans as uncivilized and violent while white settlers are seen as innocent settlers (not to mention the literal stealing of land from Native Americans.) This may have been a fun and cute story in 1880 but today, with the sensitivities and knowledge we have of racism, this is a harmful story to Native Americans. This book should be read with a critical eye.
October 7, 2025
Meh. Lillian Ainsley, a young girl from a settler family in Yellowstone valley is taken by the Nez Perce tribe. Her childhood friend, Mathew Bentley—the son of the family who migrated west alongside the Ainsleys—does not believe Lilian is dead although nobody knows Lilian’s whereabouts. So after turning eighteen, Mathew sets out on a perilous journey through the city wilderness to find her.
His quest is grueling: he faces harsh terrain, dangerous encounters, and even becomes a prisoner himself. In a twist of fate, he is ultimately rescued by Lillian and her companion Lewanna. Their reunion is powerful, but bittersweet.
Unfortunately, the book offers little insight into the seven years Lillian spent with the Nez Perce. Her experience—surely rich with cultural complexity and emotional depth—is left largely unexplored. What could have been a dual narrative of survival and transformation remains mostly Mathew’s story.
His quest is grueling: he faces harsh terrain, dangerous encounters, and even becomes a prisoner himself. In a twist of fate, he is ultimately rescued by Lillian and her companion Lewanna. Their reunion is powerful, but bittersweet.
Unfortunately, the book offers little insight into the seven years Lillian spent with the Nez Perce. Her experience—surely rich with cultural complexity and emotional depth—is left largely unexplored. What could have been a dual narrative of survival and transformation remains mostly Mathew’s story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2022
Very Interesting
I wasn't sure h pi w close to the truth this story is to the original, but it is somewhat exciting and eventful throughout with nice detail and insight.
I wasn't sure h pi w close to the truth this story is to the original, but it is somewhat exciting and eventful throughout with nice detail and insight.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews