A Daughter of the Sioux

by Charles King

A Daughter of the Sioux is a classic tale of the Old West and the demise of the Indian.


The major commanding looked up from the morning report and surveyed the post adjutant with something of perturbation, if not annoyance, in his grim, gray eyes. For the fourth time that week had Lieutenant Field requested permission to be absent for several hours. The major knew just why the junior wished to go and where. The major knew just why he wished him not to go, but saw fit to name almost any other than the real reason when, with a certain awkward hesitancy he
"W - ell, is the post return ready?"
"It will be, sir, in abundant time," was the prompt reply.
"You know they sent it back for correction last month," hazarded the commander.

Genres: Classics, Westerns, Historical Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Charles King was a United States soldier and a distinguished writer. He graduated from West Point in 1866 and served in the Army during the Indian Wars under George Crook. He was wounded in the arm forcing his retirement from the regular army. During this time he became acquainted with Buffalo Bill Cody. King would later write scripts for several of Cody's silents films. In 1898, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and sailed to the Philippines during the Spanish-American War; he also led a brigade during the ensuing Philippine-American War. He returned to the United States and was active in the Wisconsin National Guard and in training troops for World War I. He wrote and edited over 60 books and novels.

Reviews

[Mariangel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buffalo Bill says in his autobiography that he enjoyed the novels by General Charles King most among the many written about the West. The interesting parts of this novel are the ones dealing with the fort life of soldiers and their families, as well as the campaigns. The intrigues, however, are written in a confused way, and part of the suspense is given away by the title of the novel.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good read. For the most part the story flowed well and was difficult to put down. The military life was portrayed vividly, and the book would be interesting for that alone...but there was so much more to lend interest to it. Missing money, mysterious secret night rides, and a beautiful young woman who gives every sign of innocence, yet somehow is near the scene each time...this definitely falls into the category of adventure.

One thing I really liked was the portrayal of the officers' wives, and how great a part they played in the story. It showed a beautiful picture of several couples well paired, gallant men and brave women. The women's opinions were respected and acted on, even though they were not enlisted in the military themselves--even to the point of being present at numerous councils and asked to give advice.

The setting was so vivid that it was evident the author had personal experience both in the West and as a soldier of the day. His account of the Indian troubles was very interesting, especially as he credited the Indian braves with often-superior strategy and generalship, and deplored that Congress often mishandled Indian policy greatly. He writes often with the respect of a soldier for a worthy foe, even when he is speaking of the battle scene.

One thing readers might like to be aware of beforehand is that paragraphs often run several pages in length. If you are used to reading Hemingway and Stephen King, such longwindedness might be difficult to understand; but to anyone who is used to the classics, this is a good and enjoyable read.

[Jo-Ann Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can tell a man wrote this. The technical military stuff and the terrible attitude toward Native Americans rings true but there are many parts that seem to be a long walk to nowhere. Inoften found myself wishing he would get on with the story.

The women are either tenderhearted or conniving seductresses. And our "daughter of the Sioux" uses and abuses the kind people who raised her and gave her everything. Reinforcig the negative image of our original settlers.

I really was not very impressed with this book.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Daughter of the Sioux by Charles King is a good story of the old west and the inevitable demise of the Indian. Although occasionally it is a little long-winded, it rings true. This isn’t a book for everyone but if you are looking for the essence of life on the Great Plains in the 1880’s this might be a book for you.(less)

[Jerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very disjointed. Somewhere in the book there was a story to be told. But, to me, it felt as if the author was jumping around too much. At one point, I got so confused I lost all track of the story. The book turned out to be a tragic story of a young lieutenant serving in the army out west and a girl who sweeps down on the fort turning the heads of the young men and drawing the ire of most of the women. I really do like westerns, especially those with plains indians, but I cannot recommend this book.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Daughter of the Sioux by Charles King is a good story of the old west and the inevitable demise of the Indian. Although occasionally it is a little long-winded, it rings true. This isn’t a book for everyone but if you are looking for the essence of life on the Great Plains in the 1880’s this might be a book for you.

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretentious, long, 19th century pulp around good and bad natives and brave soldiers.

[Velvetink]

epub version

[Audiobook Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I listened to the audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so that everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypVzj...

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

1903 published, 1st edition
1880's Nebraska territory story of deceit at Fort Frayne