Mari Sandoz's Native Nebraska: The Plains Indian Country

Images of America: Nebraska

by LaVerne Harrell Clark

When the Mari Sandoz High Plains Center opens in Chadron, Nebraska in 2001, it will be one of three centers at which Nebraska honors its outstanding writers. Through the compilation of over 200 images in this new book, taken from historical collections and her own work, author and photographer LaVerne Harrell Clark contributes to that same purpose. In it, she recreates the frontier life of settlers and the neighboring Sioux and Cheyenne Indians of the sand hills region of northwestern Nebraska. Accompanied by in-depth captions detailing Mari Sandoz's life and works, these images illustrate how she came to hold an outstanding place as an American writer until her death in 1966. Born in 1896, in the "free-land" region of the Nebraska Panhandle, Sandoz was greatly influenced in her writing by the people who called at her homestead. Her acquaintances included Bad Arm, a Sioux Indian who fought at the Little Bighorn and was present at Wounded Knee, "Old Cheyenne Woman," a survivor of both the Oklahoma and Fort Robinson conflicts, and William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the legend of the Old West.

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2000

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and interesting look at the places and people who shaped Mari Sandoz and her writing. I live in Nebraska and have been to many of the places depicted from Lincoln to Chadron; this does make me to want to read Sandoz's writing and revisit those places.

Considering this book was published in 2000, I think some of the "current" photography could have been of better quality and composition.

[Matt Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read but it feels like it would work better as a companion while reading Sandoz's works rather than something on its own. And many of the photos are probably out of date in this day and age. Still, there are some interesting historical photos with accompanying text about Sandoz and the native people in Nebraska

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short pictorial history of Nebraska author Mari Sandoz is a very quick and interesting read. Most of the illustrations are of areas of the state where Sandoz grew up and lived as well as the people she encountered, including some of the last of the Native Americans who made their homes here during her youth. Many of her writings are discussed as well which has certainly inspired me to seek our some of her writings. I didn't expect to gain as much insight as this when I started this book so I was pleasantly surprised. I certainly recommend it if you are interested in both history or Mari Sandoz.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've not read any books by Mari Sandoz (yet), but this book definitely got me interested. What a fascinating woman!