Don’t you wonder what life was really like back in the days of the buffalo for Native Americans? I do. How better to learn about those days than photographs? And that’s what this little book is, a collection of exquisite photographs collected by the author over a period of forty years from research done at the Library of Congress, with quotes from members of Native American tribes born before 1904. This is a book that will be read and read and read in my school library. ( )

This is a very factual account of Native American life. It features beautiful illustrations/photographs. Overall, I didn't think the book was really written for children. It was more of a collection of quotes and snippets of stories. The organization seemed a bit disjointed. I do think children will use this book for research projects, but not for casual reading. ( )

This book is astoundingly beautiful. The original photographs are paired with quotations and proverbs from Plains Indians. It shows the various tribes at play, at work, at rest, hunting and caring for family. It's broken down into sections: Mothers, Fathers, Grandmothers, Nomadic Life, etc., and the photos and quotes tie into the section header perfectly.

Both my husband and myself looked through the book more than once marveling at the photos and contemplating the proverbs and quotations. I could imagine a parent sitting with a child and having a wonderful discussion about the photos and the sayings. One of my favorites:

"When you see a new trail you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."
-Uncheedah, Dakota

The photos tell a myriad of stories; some happy, some sad but all worth exploring. Mr. Fitzgerald has done an excellent job of bringing together the photos and the stories in a cohesive way to tell the tales of the Plains Indians and their way of life before it was destroyed. ( )