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Action at Beecher Island
This is the story of nine days of frontier hell. This is the bloody saga of Beecher Island.
Historian Dee Brown dramatically recounts the nine-day siege between Plains tribes and Major James William Forsyth’s scouts. Based on historical sources, the novel is told from a variety of viewpoints, including that of Lieutenant Frederick Beecher, still wounded from the Civil War and charged with clearing out American Indian settlements to make way for the Kansas Pacific Railroad. Beecher is joined by General Sheridan and Major Forsyth, as well as the scouts—from seasoned frontiersmen to young boys—employed to take part in the perilous mission. On the other side are the famous American Indian players in the battle: Turkey Leg and Roman Nose. With this complex assortment of characters, Brown vividly recreates the 1868 siege, as well as the competing worldviews of life on the prairies. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dee Brown including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.
Historian Dee Brown dramatically recounts the nine-day siege between Plains tribes and Major James William Forsyth’s scouts. Based on historical sources, the novel is told from a variety of viewpoints, including that of Lieutenant Frederick Beecher, still wounded from the Civil War and charged with clearing out American Indian settlements to make way for the Kansas Pacific Railroad. Beecher is joined by General Sheridan and Major Forsyth, as well as the scouts—from seasoned frontiersmen to young boys—employed to take part in the perilous mission. On the other side are the famous American Indian players in the battle: Turkey Leg and Roman Nose. With this complex assortment of characters, Brown vividly recreates the 1868 siege, as well as the competing worldviews of life on the prairies. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dee Brown including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1967
About the author
Dee Brown
147 books368 followersAKA: Dee Alexander Brown
Dorris Alexander “Dee” Brown (1908–2002) was a celebrated author of both fiction and nonfiction, whose classic study Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is widely credited with exposing the systematic destruction of American Indian tribes to a world audience.
Brown was born in Louisiana and grew up in Arkansas. He worked as a reporter and a printer before enrolling at Arkansas State Teachers College, where he met his future wife, Sally Stroud. He later earned two degrees in library science, and worked as a librarian while beginning his career as a writer. He went on to research and write more than thirty books, often centered on frontier history or overlooked moments of the Civil War. Brown continued writing until his death in 2002.
Dorris Alexander “Dee” Brown (1908–2002) was a celebrated author of both fiction and nonfiction, whose classic study Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is widely credited with exposing the systematic destruction of American Indian tribes to a world audience.
Brown was born in Louisiana and grew up in Arkansas. He worked as a reporter and a printer before enrolling at Arkansas State Teachers College, where he met his future wife, Sally Stroud. He later earned two degrees in library science, and worked as a librarian while beginning his career as a writer. He went on to research and write more than thirty books, often centered on frontier history or overlooked moments of the Civil War. Brown continued writing until his death in 2002.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 18, 2017
Should be a movie
Firstly I have to say that Dee Brown was an excellent writer best known for Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. When I bought this book I thought it was nonfiction, but then I saw it was a novel about Beecher Island and the men, who fought there. This is not the first story I have read about Beecher Island, but this one gave more feel for the men that fought there. This story moves at a steady pace to the end. I knew about this battle long before this book, but now I know more. Like his book the Fetterman Massacre the people of the story are real. Hollywood should make this book into a movie instead of retreading the same old crap. If you like stories of the Old West this is one you need to read.
Firstly I have to say that Dee Brown was an excellent writer best known for Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. When I bought this book I thought it was nonfiction, but then I saw it was a novel about Beecher Island and the men, who fought there. This is not the first story I have read about Beecher Island, but this one gave more feel for the men that fought there. This story moves at a steady pace to the end. I knew about this battle long before this book, but now I know more. Like his book the Fetterman Massacre the people of the story are real. Hollywood should make this book into a movie instead of retreading the same old crap. If you like stories of the Old West this is one you need to read.
February 16, 2022
Wonderful dramatization of historical event!
History scorned the event as a mistake putting civilians at risk to fight Plains Tribes. Brown put a human face on the event allowing hose involved, including the 10rh Cavalry. She did a masterful job in bringing chapters lost in history to life Another best seller for Dee Brown
History scorned the event as a mistake putting civilians at risk to fight Plains Tribes. Brown put a human face on the event allowing hose involved, including the 10rh Cavalry. She did a masterful job in bringing chapters lost in history to life Another best seller for Dee Brown
February 18, 2021
A solid novel, if workman like novel of historical fiction by Dee Brown , author of “ Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”, that will entertain with vivid telling of between a small group of cavalry scouts and plains Indians.
The novel focuses on different characters, both Calvary and Native American over the nine day siege which occurred on what was a essentially sand bar in a creek on the vast prairie. It is a personal narration, an often moving and always entertaining book.
I had read Terry Johnston’s historical novel “ Stalker: The Battle of Beecher’s Island” which , in my opinion is the better of the two novels. Johnston is a superb writer, adept at handling characters in a dynamic, lyrical story as opposed to Dee Brown’s laconic treatment. It is the difference between Joh Ford’s epic Calvary movie”Fort Apache” and a standard Hollywood later.
If interested in this story of the West, I recommend that your read Terry Johnston many find books.
As always , my review is one man’s opinion.
The novel focuses on different characters, both Calvary and Native American over the nine day siege which occurred on what was a essentially sand bar in a creek on the vast prairie. It is a personal narration, an often moving and always entertaining book.
I had read Terry Johnston’s historical novel “ Stalker: The Battle of Beecher’s Island” which , in my opinion is the better of the two novels. Johnston is a superb writer, adept at handling characters in a dynamic, lyrical story as opposed to Dee Brown’s laconic treatment. It is the difference between Joh Ford’s epic Calvary movie”Fort Apache” and a standard Hollywood later.
If interested in this story of the West, I recommend that your read Terry Johnston many find books.
As always , my review is one man’s opinion.
December 17, 2023
Interesting historical fiction
Post-Civil War America saw an explosion of white settlement into the West, resulting in broken treaties with indigenous tribes and encroachment on their hunting grounds. In 1868, a joint group of Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux began raids against settlements in eastern Colorado. In response, Major George Forsyth was given the task of putting together a group of experienced plainsmen to keep track of the Indians' movements. Eventually the Indians were found, and that led to a battle and siege on a sandbar in the Arickaree River, which was later named Beecher Island after Lieutenant Frederick Beecher, who fell there.
This is a well-researched and nicely-written account of that confrontation, from the perspectives of some of men on both sides who fought there You can't miss with a Dee Brown book. It isn't a hard read, but is to-the-point and always interesting.
Post-Civil War America saw an explosion of white settlement into the West, resulting in broken treaties with indigenous tribes and encroachment on their hunting grounds. In 1868, a joint group of Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux began raids against settlements in eastern Colorado. In response, Major George Forsyth was given the task of putting together a group of experienced plainsmen to keep track of the Indians' movements. Eventually the Indians were found, and that led to a battle and siege on a sandbar in the Arickaree River, which was later named Beecher Island after Lieutenant Frederick Beecher, who fell there.
This is a well-researched and nicely-written account of that confrontation, from the perspectives of some of men on both sides who fought there You can't miss with a Dee Brown book. It isn't a hard read, but is to-the-point and always interesting.
October 13, 2022
Great Post-Civil War story
I thoroughly enjoyed ACTION AT BEECHER ISLAND. I felt it was accurate to the time period and showed both sides of the Indian/U S Soldiers conflict to allow for westward expansion. It is written as a novel, but Dee Brown goes to great lengths with extensive research and the use of historic documents to re-create this one event in the decades long struggle. I would recommend this excellent western to anyone who has an interest in this period of American History because it really shows the issues faced by both sides. A great, memorable story.
I thoroughly enjoyed ACTION AT BEECHER ISLAND. I felt it was accurate to the time period and showed both sides of the Indian/U S Soldiers conflict to allow for westward expansion. It is written as a novel, but Dee Brown goes to great lengths with extensive research and the use of historic documents to re-create this one event in the decades long struggle. I would recommend this excellent western to anyone who has an interest in this period of American History because it really shows the issues faced by both sides. A great, memorable story.
May 13, 2021
Besides the incredible historical accuracy, this novel uses a resource that I never saw before (at least not at the extension it is used in "Action at Beecher Island"): dozens of POV, changing from chapter to chapter, in a perfect cronology. If it was any less-skilled author, this would be terribly confusing, but Dee Brown aces it.
July 30, 2020
Breecher Isjand
A well written well researched Book about American history in the western United States after the Civil War.presents a good presentation of the American Indlcans and the Solders I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to others.
A well written well researched Book about American history in the western United States after the Civil War.presents a good presentation of the American Indlcans and the Solders I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to others.
March 22, 2021
My favorite genre
I love the history of the Indian wars. Both sides have incredible passion and desire for their futures. The end was inevitable but could the road been different?
I love the history of the Indian wars. Both sides have incredible passion and desire for their futures. The end was inevitable but could the road been different?
April 13, 2021
Well written , well researched!
Excellent character depiction. A book of terrific contrasting objectives and perspectives. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A excellent description of the western conflicts.
Excellent character depiction. A book of terrific contrasting objectives and perspectives. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A excellent description of the western conflicts.
March 12, 2018
Well researched narrative.
October 26, 2018
Okay?
The book was a quick read. It was, at best, a quick read and over all quite lackluster despite the topic.
The book was a quick read. It was, at best, a quick read and over all quite lackluster despite the topic.
May 13, 2019
A very interesting and fast read.
January 21, 2021
Very simply written and a very good true story.
Read
January 22, 2021Excellent treatment by Dee Brown
January 29, 2021
For western readers, this is an excellent story of the west during the Indian wars. Great perspective of the action from both sides of the conflict
February 20, 2021
Dee Brown books ....
I always enjoy his books. Fiction or non-fiction, they accurately depict the history. I have actually been to several of the sites from this story.
I always enjoy his books. Fiction or non-fiction, they accurately depict the history. I have actually been to several of the sites from this story.
April 17, 2021
Excellent read that kept you engaged the whole time. Enjoyed the chapter approach by taking a character and seeing things from their perspective.
May 7, 2021
Excellent historical novel
Dee Brown’s story is an accurate account of Beecher Island. This account is a fast moving tale of brave men.
Dee Brown’s story is an accurate account of Beecher Island. This account is a fast moving tale of brave men.
May 21, 2021
Worthy of reading
This isn't your average western tale. It should be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of reading about the tough men who helped shape the West.
This isn't your average western tale. It should be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of reading about the tough men who helped shape the West.
November 12, 2021
An easy read! Interesting historical fiction, of a small company of cavalry scouts caught by several Indian tribes, and their desperate survival.
February 16, 2022
What a great read!
This book not only told me a true story but the way it was written made me feel like was there.
This book not only told me a true story but the way it was written made me feel like was there.
March 30, 2022
This was just a great story about the old west. Great characters, a plausible story, wonderful setting. I was sorry that it was just so short.
November 11, 2023
Good story, plenty of suspense, based on a real event. I have read a few Dee Brown books and will probably read more. He tells a good story.
June 12, 2024
This is a serviceable historicakl novel about a battle during the Indian Wars. Its not a literary masterpiece, but I learned a lot about an interesting episode in US history.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews