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Spanish Bit Saga
The Changing Wind
He was called White Buffalo, and he would be the greatest medicine man the People had ever known. The spirit of the ancient gods beat in him like a savage drum--a mystical power as old as the land, as primeval as primitive man himself. But even as he fought to lead his people out of the darkness of the Stone Age, his world trembled on the brink of a great and terrible transformation. It would be a century swept by the inevitable winds of change; a time when ignorant, evil men like the warrior Gray Wolf of the Head-Splitters would seek bloody vengeance, and when once man would fight against all odds to save his tribe and his heritage from brutal destruction.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
20 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Don Coldsmith
64 books65 followersDon 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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 28, 2015
A story from the Indians point of view. The story of White Buffalo as he grows from a young boy to the older medicine man of the Southern branch of his tribe. The time is late 16th century. The author has done his research and characters and scenes are authentic.gave it 5 stars
October 10, 2015
Written in what I consider the typical style of how aboriginals think, this is an easy read. Having trained as a Shaman I could easily relate to much of what was thought and acted on.
This is a story of a Medicine Man's beginnings in a hunter-gatherer society, fairly well from birth to... the end. No spoilers, although a few passages' obvious directions were easily anticipated.
Do remember that on this site, 3 stars means I liked it, not that it was mediocre. It's an excellent tale, insightful, entertaining, and engaging.
This is a story of a Medicine Man's beginnings in a hunter-gatherer society, fairly well from birth to... the end. No spoilers, although a few passages' obvious directions were easily anticipated.
Do remember that on this site, 3 stars means I liked it, not that it was mediocre. It's an excellent tale, insightful, entertaining, and engaging.
October 4, 2012
The book I start with when I read this series. One of my favorites. Although fiction, this book gives a glimpse into the cultural lives of Plains tribes. Their attitudes, spirituality, and humanity. A great read on a rare subject.
October 25, 2021
Don Coldsmith – The Changing Wind – Review 10/24/21 – Read 10/20-23/21
His vision quest showed White Buffalo the future but then he did not know how it would affect him.
Small Elk had a tough time in his youth, Bull Roarer, was injured by the Head Splitters, and then, Crow turned against him. Feeling hurt by his best friends, he went to his father and requested to go on his vision quest. But his father, White Buffalo the Medicine Man for the southern band knew that it was not the right time, so he encouraged him to visit his grandparents and spend the winter working through his problems. When Cold Maker started releasing its hold, and it was time for the Sun Dance, Small Elk had grown and was somewhat comfortable with himself, although he realized that he loved Crow and she was lost to him.
When the bands came together for the Sun Dance, Small Elk was surprised when Crow, which had adopted the name of Crow Woman, approached him. Learning that she was not married to Bull Roarer, which was now called Stone Breaker, the two discovered their mutual love. Going to his father again, he informed them that he and Crow Woman wanted to marry but also that he wanted to go on his vision quest. With the advice of his father, it was decided that he would leave immediately on his quest and then meet up again at the Sun Dance. As he prepares to start his apprenticeship and receive his new name of White Buffalo as his father steps down.
Join Small Elk as he marries Crow Woman, and he starts his apprenticeship as Medicine Man and later learns the meaning of the “hornless elk with the turtles on its feet” from his vision…
What did I like? Having a Native American Heritage, I always love reading stories about the people. The stories vary so much and give meaning to the beginning of times for them. The many different interpretations of these stories are amazing and so different depending on who is telling them. I remember hearing many around the campfires of my youth which always filled me with the yearning of wanting to be of that time.
What will you like? Interesting, exciting, dangerous, stirring, thought-provoking, and fascinating. The stories from the people will bring warmth to your heart as each generation adapts to the changing times. Here you will hear Don’s account of when the people encountered the Spaniards and their influence on the changing world around the people. Such an interesting and remarkable storyline that will show how it could have been. Don’t miss Don Coldsmith’s version of the rapidly changing world of the people in his new book, “Changing Wind” which is available NOW!!!
• ASIN: B09FS18VCC
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 10/20/2021
• File Size: 4475 KB
• Print Length: 364 pages
• Genre: Native American Literature, Classic Historical Fiction
His vision quest showed White Buffalo the future but then he did not know how it would affect him.
Small Elk had a tough time in his youth, Bull Roarer, was injured by the Head Splitters, and then, Crow turned against him. Feeling hurt by his best friends, he went to his father and requested to go on his vision quest. But his father, White Buffalo the Medicine Man for the southern band knew that it was not the right time, so he encouraged him to visit his grandparents and spend the winter working through his problems. When Cold Maker started releasing its hold, and it was time for the Sun Dance, Small Elk had grown and was somewhat comfortable with himself, although he realized that he loved Crow and she was lost to him.
When the bands came together for the Sun Dance, Small Elk was surprised when Crow, which had adopted the name of Crow Woman, approached him. Learning that she was not married to Bull Roarer, which was now called Stone Breaker, the two discovered their mutual love. Going to his father again, he informed them that he and Crow Woman wanted to marry but also that he wanted to go on his vision quest. With the advice of his father, it was decided that he would leave immediately on his quest and then meet up again at the Sun Dance. As he prepares to start his apprenticeship and receive his new name of White Buffalo as his father steps down.
Join Small Elk as he marries Crow Woman, and he starts his apprenticeship as Medicine Man and later learns the meaning of the “hornless elk with the turtles on its feet” from his vision…
What did I like? Having a Native American Heritage, I always love reading stories about the people. The stories vary so much and give meaning to the beginning of times for them. The many different interpretations of these stories are amazing and so different depending on who is telling them. I remember hearing many around the campfires of my youth which always filled me with the yearning of wanting to be of that time.
What will you like? Interesting, exciting, dangerous, stirring, thought-provoking, and fascinating. The stories from the people will bring warmth to your heart as each generation adapts to the changing times. Here you will hear Don’s account of when the people encountered the Spaniards and their influence on the changing world around the people. Such an interesting and remarkable storyline that will show how it could have been. Don’t miss Don Coldsmith’s version of the rapidly changing world of the people in his new book, “Changing Wind” which is available NOW!!!
• ASIN: B09FS18VCC
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 10/20/2021
• File Size: 4475 KB
• Print Length: 364 pages
• Genre: Native American Literature, Classic Historical Fiction
July 30, 2024
A fictional American west tale happening before the introduction of horses to the western plains, "The Changing Wind" (1990) has us follow a young Indian named Small Elk as he works towards learning from his legendary medicine man father White Buffalo and earn a respected place among his people. Elk's spirit quest shows him what is coming (it isn't a spoiler to say it is horses because they are on the cover) that will change his people and their way of life forever, both for good and for bad.
There's a teen romance drama in the first third that actually works as it sets up Small Elk and his friends for the trials that will come later, wars against the dreaded Head-Splitters tribe, dealing with internal politics and relations with other friendly tribes amidst trying times, the introduction of the horse to the north american plains, and getting older after Small Elk takes the White Buffalo mantle himself.
Verdict: A good Native American historical fiction. Easy to read, and no boring lengthy exposition or dialogue segments that Native American fictions drown in sometimes. Appropriate also for younger readers.
Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG
There's a teen romance drama in the first third that actually works as it sets up Small Elk and his friends for the trials that will come later, wars against the dreaded Head-Splitters tribe, dealing with internal politics and relations with other friendly tribes amidst trying times, the introduction of the horse to the north american plains, and getting older after Small Elk takes the White Buffalo mantle himself.
Verdict: A good Native American historical fiction. Easy to read, and no boring lengthy exposition or dialogue segments that Native American fictions drown in sometimes. Appropriate also for younger readers.
Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG
November 10, 2021
great book
If you enjoy Native American stories, then this is the book to read. Great storyline of how horses came to be for the Indians and how important they became in their everyday life’s. Also the weave of the characters in the book and the outcomes.
Love the writing and could not put it down.
If you enjoy Native American stories, then this is the book to read. Great storyline of how horses came to be for the Indians and how important they became in their everyday life’s. Also the weave of the characters in the book and the outcomes.
Love the writing and could not put it down.
November 25, 2021
Exciting native American story
The changing winds is a interesting and exciting read. It keeps you glued from chapter to chapter. If you like native American stories like I do, Don Goldsmith books are your next read !
The changing winds is a interesting and exciting read. It keeps you glued from chapter to chapter. If you like native American stories like I do, Don Goldsmith books are your next read !
February 7, 2022
Couldn't have picked a better title
Let's people think more of indigenous people and what life must have been like before the horse and a lot more respect for the life of the old ones
Let's people think more of indigenous people and what life must have been like before the horse and a lot more respect for the life of the old ones
April 7, 2023
awesome read.
I would hope that Dr Coldsmith had an inkling of how much his books would be enjoyed. He has taken me into the passed and made it seem so real.
I would hope that Dr Coldsmith had an inkling of how much his books would be enjoyed. He has taken me into the passed and made it seem so real.
August 23, 2023
If you've enjoyed The First Americans series, you'll also like this. I'll be reading more by this author.
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November 27, 2007Coldsmith, Don PB
March 9, 2012
This is one of my favorite books. It deals with change which is a constant in everyone's life.
January 29, 2016
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
July 22, 2014
Good read
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June 7, 2017good
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews