The Elk-Dog Heritage

Spanish Bit Saga #2

by Don Coldsmith

Don Coldsmith, inducted into the Writer's Hall of Fame of America and voted one of the Greatest Western Writers of the Twentieth Century by the Western Writers of America, is one of our national treasures. He single-handedly revolutionized the Western novel with his acclaimed Spanish Bit Saga, which has more than six million copies in print. Set in the early sixteenth century, the Spanish Bit Saga re-creates a time, a place, and a people that have been nearly lost to history. In it we see history in the making through the proud eyes of those who lived it.

In the recent past, the People lived in fear, constantly pursued by their ancient enemies, the Head Splitters. But that was before Spaniard Juan Garcia arrived, bringing horses-Elk-Dogs. He taught his adopted people to ride and fight, to defy death and be victorious. Slowly, at first, they learned the ways of the magnificent animals that Garcia brought them. Soon, none could stand against them, and the once cowering and timid People became lords of the American Great Plains. The Head Splitters were defeated and now the People live a life of peace and prosperity.

But not all are satisfied with peace. Eager to prove their manhood, the youths of the tribe long for the days of war. Against the direct orders of their elders, the young bloods seek out the Head Splitters and, waging their own war, place the entire tribe in jeopardy.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Native American, Fiction, American, Adventure

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1987

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

[TOTO from Kansas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!Would recommend Coldsmith books to any one any age!

[sarg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series of the elkdog tribe. As with the first book the Indians of North America before the arrival of Europeans.
The story of a lost Spanish conquistador separated from his groupe and eventually adopted into a planes tribe. He. Brings horses to the planes Indians which changes the Indian relationship with there environment.He is made chief of his groupe called the "elkdog tribe"their name for horses. 
Gave this 5 stars it is a good read about the American planes Indians before arrival of the Europeans and the effect of the introduction of the horse. 

[Linda LaRoque · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book about Juan Garcia, a Spanish soldier, who becomes a chief of the people. By introducing the horse, elk-dogs, into their society and teaching them to use spears, they have become warriors and respected by the other members of their clan.

[Sean Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! This book relates the growth of the People with a group of youngins who have only known life with the advantages of having horses and staying to fight rather than running to hide. They get blood-thirsty and a ripple surges in the tribe’s unity.
This book goes into the importance of the women of the tribe, and how much more respected they are to be able to do things commonly relegated to men, especially when one of the main characters, Heads Off, sees them in light of the views of women in his homeland of Spanish occupied Mexico. There’s a really Great War scene in which the women get in the brush and are shown as just as badass in defending the tribe as any of the men. For a book written in the early 80’s, I was relieved to read this part of the narrative.
Another great installment of the Spanish Bit Saga, I’m looking forward to the next book.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book several years ago. I had started the series and read the first 3 or 4 books, and never continued. I'm not sure why I stopped, because these stories are really good! Don Coldsmith, the author, was a professor and a medical doctor at Emporia State University, in Kansas. He did extensive research into the time period of the stories, which happen in what is now the central plains area, of the United States. The stories are fiction, but heavily based on facts. Coldsmith is a fantastic story teller, and you won't want to put this book down. This story continues the introduction of the horse to natives in the area, and how it changed their society.

[Jennifer A Camperud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

Doncoldsmith brings ear!y Native American history to life in a way that makes sense and you he's your heart. I recommend his books to anyone that wants an easy read that will make you laugh and cry at the same time.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Eric Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are awsome books. I really enjoy them.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a lark. I was looking for a "Cowboys and Indians" type of book, maybe Zane Gray, or Louis L'Amour. I was pleasantly surprised with this work, because I had not expected much, but the author delivers a good deal.

Dr. Goldsmith was a doctor of medicine who grew up and lived in western Kansas. After the service and medical school, he began writing a series of books entitled the Spanish spur Saga, or something like that. The interesting thing about the book is that it depicts life in a native american band, one of four or five belonging to one tribe, before white people had come on the scene. The leader of the band was a Spaniard named Juan Carlos. He had introduced horses, "Elk-Dogs", to the band, and had taught them how to ride and care for them. As a result, they named him leader, or "Chief" of the band, with a name suitable to that station.

The book chronicles his trials as leader of "the People" as they were known. More importantly, it reveals his education into the culture of this band of plains Indians. Although the book never reveals what tribe white people would have called them, I believe they were one of the bands of the Cheyenne. No matter. The book describes the culture of these people, who predicated their existence on the forces of nature.

This is a very good read, despite the small print. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a rare description of native american culture without the Hollywood gloss.

[Micah Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

(224 pages)
The plot takes place in the eastern plains when mainly Native Americans occupied America. It follows a group of Natives and the way that they lived within their tribe. Pretty exciting book to read.

[Partridge Public]

Coldsmith, Don PB

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got hooked on this series when I read one of the books from the middle of the series. Then I had to go back to the beginning.

[Debbie Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have had this series for ages, hadn't reread in a long time. Why the heck not? A great book about the Plains inhabitants of Kansas shortly just a few years after they were introduced to the horse.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the Trail of the Spanish Bit series. Easy and interesting read. Leaves you ready for #3.

[Carol]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12299094

[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

[Eliel Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a coming of age season for the Elk Dog Band on many levels. A good read.