South Dakota Books

This is an informative, well-written compilation of maps that should be of considerable use to students of Dakota and Great Plains history. I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed the insights that Ms. Dommel brought to this boo

Oscar Micheaux wrote seven novels. "The Conquest" was his first novel, and his best. If you can only purchase one book BY Oscar Micheaux, this is the best.
Prof. Jayna Brown's introduction is outstanding. Her introduction is tough but fair. The introduction places Oscar Micheaux in his historical context, as a conservative Booker T. Washington follower.
This is the first reprint of "The Conquest" that is not a facsimile copy of the original typeset edition from 1913. As a result, the lettering, font and artwork in the book are modern and elegant.
The book itself is autobiographical. But the book is about more than the struggle of one African-American. The book is also about a whole variety of topics: homesteading, railroading, rural America, and the urban vs. rural divide.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in homesteading, railroading, farming,or American history. Micheaux was one of a kind. The same thing that was said about writer George Schuyler could also be said about Oscar Micheaux:
"He woke up every morning to see which way the world was turning, and he took off in the opposite direction. He loved playing the role of the maverick."

Rinnah Two Feathers is looking forward to her summer vacation. She and her two best friends, Tommy Red Hawk and Meagen Paige, are staying in a cabin in Spearfish Canyon as guests of Meagen's dad. But on the first day, Rinnah is handed a note from a nervous, mysterious woman who says "They're after the rose," before taking off again. Then the woman is found face down in a pond. The note is confusing, but the trio is determined to discover what it means. With every clue they piece together, they discover they're in more danger. Meanwhile, Meagen is having a hard time adjusting to the new woman in her dad's life. This summer is shaping up to be anything but restful.

This is the second in a new mystery series for kids. I'd enjoyed the first, and this one didn't disappoint me in the least. The characters are real kids with strengths and weaknesses. The plot left me confused until the end. Mr. Johnson skillfully weaves sub-plots into the story and pulls off several tense, atmospheric scenes. I was turning the pages quickly for the last 50, trying to find out what would happen next.

Kids ready to move on from the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew will love this new series featuring great characters, plot, and writing. My only complaint? The third one isn't out yet!

Custer County is a wonderful book illustrating the history of the South Dakota Black Hills region. Author, Peggy Sanders, relates the history of Custer County through the images of the people as they struggled to establish communities and develop an economy. The photographs that accompany the history are a fascinating visual account of hard working Americans, families having fun, and historic images of the Black Hills and some of the dignitaries who established homes in the area, like President Calvin Coolidge. But as the author notes the book is about "the individuals who did the everyday work are the ones who truly made a difference. These are the people who are celebrated within these pages, which contain over 220 vintage photographs..."

This is Peggy Sanders fourth book in Arcadia's Image of America Series. Her other books include Fall River County and Hot Springs: Views from the Past, 1881-1955, The Civilian Conservation Corps in and around the Black Hills, and Wind Cave National Park: the First 100 years.

This book is a good resource for historical facts relating to treaties made in the Dakotas. Don C Clowser has done his research, and contributed to closing the gap of knowledge about the region.

This is a very good book for beginners. It is easy to follow, very interesting, and sticks to the basics. I recommend it for anyone who wants to get into stargazing.

This book gave an interesting glimpse into the lives of big and Lil' Emma and their lives. I found it to be very interesting as it covered a good deal of years and you got to find out (thanks to Lil' Emma's nephew)what happened to these people. I felt that the book was very descriptive and included some great pictures. I am a fan of this era and I was not disappointed with this book.

Hamilton was one of the small ranchers who traveled to Dakota after the Civil War to find his fortune. Written years after the events described, the clarity with which he recalls the events and the details of daily life are amazing. The good-humored style and the simple stories have the power to make you wish you could have gone along with those hardy pioneers.

Forgotten Lives: African Americans in South Dakota is a historical study of the contributions that African-Americans have made to South Dakota's history. From York, who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition, to acclaimed filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, to laborers, river men, seamstresses, midwives, doctors, lawyers, town leaders, and many more, Forgotten Lives opens up an oft-overlooked chapter of South Dakota's origins and legacy. Extensively researched with meticulous notes and an index, Forgotten Lives is a welcome contribution to South Dakota history shelves and is especially recommended for public and university libraries