The Lost Band: A Novel

Spanish Bit Saga #26

by Don Coldsmith

A continuation of Don Coldsmith’s Spanish Bit series, The Lost Band traces the sage of the People, a fictional nation of American Plains Indians in the late eighteenth century. Annually the People celebrate the Sun Dance, and each year the Council circle leaves an empty place of honor for the Lost Band, whose members disappeared and are presumed killed in a genocidal raid in the Great Plains two hundred years earlier. This group is the Lost Band, their fate an ongoing mystery in the history of the People. In The Lost Band, Story Keeper, chief of the Forest Band, unravels the puzzle when he makes a sudden and dramatic appearance. To claim the empty place at the Council table, Story Keeper must recount the fate of the Lost Band. The story begins as White Moon and her adopted child are gradually embraced by a childless couple whose people have abducted the last of the Band. At the same time, White Moon’s friend Turkey Hen becomes the Second Wife of her captor. Turkey Hen enjoys her status and is willing to sacrifice her heritage for security. White Moon, however, is determined to return the Lost Band to their seat in the Council circle. She secretly struggles to keep the traditions of the Forest Band alive.

Genres: Westerns, Native American, Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Don Coldsmith was an American author of primarily Western fiction. A past president of Western Writers of America, Coldsmith wrote more than 40 books, as well as and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. His “Spanish Bit Saga,” a series of related novels, helped to re-define the Western novel by adopting the point of view of the Native Americans, rather than the European immigrants.

Reviews

[Gail Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

for all readers of this series this book is the one that fills the gap mentioned in most of the other stories; it spans many generations and covers a vast area of the plains states... and it will keep you turning pages not wanting to stop until you reach the end.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was nice to finally learn what happened to the band that kept being referred to in the other books. I really enjoyed it!!

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good "Western" story. It's actually not like your normal American Western tale. Lots of nicely developed characters and a nice continuing storyline. Recommended

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Native Americans, adventure, good detail. Strong women characters.