One Thousand White Women
One Thousand White Women
Book Brief
496
Novel • Fiction
American West • 1870s
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus is a historical novel set in 1874, depicting an imagined U.S. government program, "Brides for Indians" (BFI), in which women from asylums and prisons volunteer to marry Cheyenne men. The story follows May Dodd, who escapes an unjust institutionalization by joining the program, documenting her journey and life with the Cheyenne Chief Little Wolf in her journal. The book addresses institutionalization and cultural conflict between white settlers and Native Americans.
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
146,390 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus is praised for its unique premise and strong, evocative writing, immersing readers in 19th-century Native American life. Critics commend the compelling narrative and well-developed characters but note some historical inaccuracies and predictable plot elements. Overall, it's a gripping and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read One Thousand White Women?
Fans of historical fiction with a rich narrative and strong female characters will enjoy One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus. Similar in tone and scope to works like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, it appeals to readers who appreciate well-researched, immersive stories set in the American West.
146,390 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
One Thousand White Women is inspired by an actual event in American history when a Cheyenne chief proposed a peaceful solution involving the exchange of one thousand white women for horses to help integrate Native American tribes with white society.
The book creatively mixes fact with fiction, using the premise to explore cultural tensions and social issues during the frontier era of the United States.
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Author Jim Fergus initially published One Thousand White Women in 1998, which has since then become a notable title in the genre of historical fiction, gaining popularity and reaching readers across multiple countries.
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496
Novel • Fiction
American West • 1870s
1998
Adult
18+ years
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