Track of the Bear

Spanish Bit Saga #22

by Don Coldsmith

The 22nd volume in the Spanish Bit Saga can also be read as a stand-alone novel. A bond between the People and their brother the Bear is broken as tragedy strikes on their annual trip to the Summer Council. Fearing the bear who killed Corn Woman is an evil spirit in disguise, Singing Wolf must take matters into his own hands--even if it means breaking the Law.

Genres: Fiction, Native American, Westerns, Adventure

180 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

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

[Kathy KS]

2.5*

It's been a while since I've read a Coldsmith, but I've always enjoyed his quick reads.

This one is not one of my favorites. Even though Coldsmith's novels of the West featuring native Americans are recognized for his ability to show his characters as real people rather than stereotypes, this one is a more philosophical/spiritual work, rather than action. Our main characters, the father and son medicine men, struggle with moral issues connected with a number of deaths of tribal members. Most of the book is relating discussion and thoughts about this.

The very last part has a bit of action while our characters try to resolve the danger to their band. I did like the characters, but felt the book was somewhat tedious at times. But I know readers that would love the struggles of the tribe.

[Joseph]

Good story of the life of a North American Plains tribe. Even though it was #22 in a series it was readable without the context of the previous books. This one struck me with it's anthropological projections about how a tribe of people deal with the challenges of conflicting beliefs- the questioning of a new generation and the traditional ways.

[Jason]

One of my favorite stories in this series. I especially like the spiritual dilema the People are placed in. The Covenant with Bear demonstrattes the depth of their phylosophy as well as their faith in their spiritual beliefs.

[Little Timmy]

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