Linderman's legacy of the last pre-contact: Indian life in the West

Review of: Linderman, F. B., 'Indian Why Stories: Sparks from War Eagle's Lodge-Fire', illustrated by Charles M. Russell, Lincoln and London, University of Nebraska Press, 1996, xx, 236pp., £9.50; Linderman, F. B., 'Indian Old-Man Stories: More Sparks from War Eagle's Lodge-Fire', illustrated by Charles M. Russell, Lincoln and London,University of Nebraska Press, 1996, xxvii, 169pp., £8.50; Linderman, F. B., 'Old Man Coyote (Crow)', illustrated by Herbert Morton Stoops, Lincoln and London, University of Nebraska Press, 1996, v, 255pp., £10.95. These three volumes, originally issued in 1915, 1920 and 1931 - the first two by Charles Scribner's Sons, the third by John Day Company - are now reprinted in an authorised paperback edition. They each have a new Introduction, the first two by Sidner Larson, the last by Fred W. Voget. Other works by Linderman recently in the same reissue series include 'Plenty-coups: Chief of the Crows'; and 'Pretty-shield: Medicine Woman of the Crows'. Together they constitute a remarkable account - an important picture of the American Indian country and of its life "before it was gone".