A Full Circle

by R. Timothy Rush

In 1878, two years after the Greasy Grass fight that some called Custer’s Last Stand, U.S. soldiers and government contractors rounded up 270 Arapaho people. From the very young to the very old, they were forced to walk from Fort Robinson in western Nebraska across half of what is now the state of Wyoming. Their destination: the Shoshone Indian Reservation. The new home of the Northern Arapaho was a wilderness, but it was theirs and they were glad. Then came another tragic event.
Within weeks, the Takers arrived to capture confused and terrified Indian children. The young were shipped to boarding schools back East, where they were to be stripped of their tribal identities and assimilated into white culture. Families were torn apart. Against this historical backdrop, A Full Circle gives a fictional account of several generations of Arapaho and their experiences during this time. Horse whisperers, a green-eyed girl, brave young men and women, and fierce grandmothers are among the characters who reveal glimpses of a people and a culture that survive today—and of a part of American and native history that has long been hidden.

118 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2017

Reviews

[Jackson Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is hard to judge these books given they are so short, but I did enjoy learning just a tidbit about the migration of native Americans in the late 1800’s, especially as some tried to escape the gentrification of their children. This largely took place during one move of 20 or so days trying to stay away from bounty hunters that looked to take their children. It is a very short book so not a lot of depth could be provided, but enough history was sprinkled in that it was a worthwhile read.

I would probably give this a three or 3 1/2 stars (if that was possible). But I really like that rapid reads is trying to provide historical fiction and given so few reviews this one has I definitely do not want to impact the rating so I rounded up to four.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A literacy reader by a professor, endorsed by an Arapahoe. Interesting novelette of removals and the Takers (bounty hunters!) who kidnapped Native children to send them to boarding schools. Rounded up to four stars because it has back matter, including a guide to the Arapaho alphabet.

[Jorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read with a good taste of the era and events.