Presenting Buffalo Bill: The Man Who Invented the Wild West

by Candace Fleming

Overview

Everyone knows the name Buffalo Bill, but few these days know what he did or, in some cases, didn't do. Was he a Pony Express rider? Did he serve Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn? Did he scalp countless Native Americans, or did he defend their rights?

This, the first significant biography of Buffalo Bill Cody for younger readers in many years, explains it all. With copious archival illustrations and a handsome design, Presenting Buffalo Bill makes the great showman come alive for new generations. Extensive back matter, bibliography, and source notes complete the package.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596437630
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	09/20/2016
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Lexile:	900L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Candace Fleming is the author of many acclaimed picture books and biographies for young readers, including Papa's Mechanical Fish ,Oh, No! and the recent, highly awarded The Family Romanov which received six starred reviews, and was named a Sibert Honor book, and won the NCTE Orbis Pictus. Candace lives in Chicago.

Table of Contents

A Note from the Author ix

Introduction xi

Fanfare 3

Act 1 The boy Will Cody 7

Act 2 Boy on the plains 35

Panning for the Truth: The Mormon war 46

Act 3 The Youngest rider on the Pony Express 53

Panning for the Truth: The Pony Express 60

Act 4 Becoming Buffalo Bill 71

Panning for the Truth: winning the Name "Buffalo Bill" 84

Panning for the Truth: The Death of Chief Tall Bull 97

Act 5 Starring Buffalo Bill 109

Panning for the Truth: yellow Hair 129

Act 6 Rootin', Tootin', Ropin', and Shootin' 141

Panning for the Truth: Native performers 166

Act 7 Rough Riders of the World 179

Act 8 Show's End 209

Afterword 229

Bibliography 231

Source Notes 237

Picture Credits 261

Index 263

Editorial Reviews

Because of Cody's tendency to embellish, Fleming supplements his own descriptions with other sources and voices. For particularly dubious accounts such as his self-proclaimed Pony Express exploits or lingering questions such as how the show's American Indian performers were treated, she provides "Panning for the Truth" sections, presenting sometimes conflicting primary evidence and differing conclusions by those who study the past. Along with primary source images, many of them photographs, with informative captions, these insightful windows into the work of historians are fascinating as well as important reminders for young readers of the need to be constantly revisiting and reconsidering what was previously known, especially when it comes to a bigger-than-life historical personality.

The New York Times Book Review - Monica Edinger

★ 08/15/2016
Fleming's even-handed biography of William Cody, the "hardscrabble frontiersman who became America's legendary showman," is more than just the story of a larger-than-life figure. Fleming (The Family Romanov) weaves Cody's life into a history of the development of the West in the late 19th century and provides a clear and sensitive study of the treatment of American Indians during that era. Each chapter opens with a vivid description of a scene from the outrageously successful Wild West spectacle that Cody produced, followed by real-life events that link to—and possibly inspired—the scene. In comprehensive sidebars entitled "Panning for the Truth," Fleming examines some of the hyperbolic tales Cody spun, holding them up to other primary and secondary sources for confirmation or dismissal. Fierce battles are described in detail, and historical figures such as Sitting Bull, Custer, Annie Oakley, and even Queen Victoria come to life in Cody's incredible story, as do his relations with the loving family he was born into and the tenuous one he created. Fascinating period photos, an extensive bibliography, and online sources are included. Ages 10–14. Agent: Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Agency (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"Fleming's even-handed biography of William Cody, the "hardscrabble frontiersman who became America's legendary showman," is more than just the story of a larger-than-life figure."—Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"Fans of Fleming’s The Family Romanov (BCCB 9/14) may marvel at the abrupt bounce from Russian Revolution to Wild West, but those who appreciate her authorial craftsmanship will recognize that she makes each of these great stories a window into countless others."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"Fleming begins each chapter with a scene fromthe “Wild West” show, using the theatrical production to introduce a time periodin Cody’s life, which, unadorned, is still fascinating as this man with a hardscrabble childhood makes and loses several fortunes over his lifetime."—The Horn Book, starred review

"A thoroughly engaging portrait of a fascinating, larger-than-life figure."—Kirkus Reviews

"An illuminating look at an American legend."—Booklist

From the Publisher

09/01/2016
Gr 7 Up—Fleming captivates readers from beginning to end with her biography of William F. Cody (aka Buffalo Bill). Cody cultivated an image, and throughout the text, Fleming deftly integrates what Cody said about himself alongside existing historical evidence. She relies on photographs, show memorabilia, and drawings to emphasize the scale of Cody's shows, relay the depths to which he would go to promote himself, and demonstrate how these pieces of history may not be accurate. Cody's shortcomings are laid bare, and Fleming addresses the criticism Cody faced for how American Indians were portrayed in his shows. She details the atrocities committed by the U.S. government against many Native tribes, too. In a beginning author's note, Fleming states that, whenever possible, she has identified American Indians as members of specific tribes. She also considers how terms like Native American, Native performer, and Indian will appear in context. However, the term warrior is often used to describe specific American Indians, and in a discussion of the Congress of Rough Riders of the World, the text refers to the Russian Cossacks, Argentine gauchos, English and German cavalrymen, and Syrian riders as "colorful and exotic horsemen." In addition, librarians should be aware that the work does feature stories of violence against American Indians, specifically the retelling of Cody's scalping of Yellow Hair—a potentially upsetting scene. VERDICT An informative examination of Buffalo Bill and his legacy for the middle and high school set, and to be handled with care.—Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY

School Library Journal

2016-06-22
Fleming presents a lively, evenhanded portrait of William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, a master of self-promotion who became a world-famous entertainer and whose name became synonymous with "Wild West."When his abolitionist father died from a savage attack after delivering an anti-slavery speech in "Bleeding Kansas," 11-year-old Cody herded cattle, worked on wagon trains, and rode for the Pony Express. He joined the anti-slavery Jayhawkers, served the Union during the Civil War, and worked as a civilian scout during the Plains Indian Wars. He earned the nickname "Buffalo Bill" for single-handedly slaughtering thousands of bison. Throughout her chronicle of Cody's adventures, Fleming notes the ever present challenge of distinguishing the realities of Cody's life, given his penchant for embellishment and outright fabrication. Fleming depicts Buffalo Bill as the first global superstar, whose lasting fame came as a result of his Wild West Show, which toured throughout the United States and Europe and featured fellow living legends Sitting Bull and Annie Oakley. Fleming also suggests without exploring at great length that the show did much to mythologize the "Wild West" in the popular consciousness, with many misconceptions persisting. Illustrated with archival material and supplemented with extensive backmatter, this is a thoroughly engaging portrait of a fascinating, larger-than-life figure. (photos, bibliography, source notes) (Biography. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews