Rating: 
Summary: A Potent and Verisimilar Novel
Review: "Fools Crow" represents a unique experience in literature as an engrossing examination of Blackfoot culture through the device of historical fiction. Utilizing subtle themes and strong characters, Welch weaves the story of the Fools Crow, a young brave, into the greater truths of Native American history. Following the development of Fools Crow as he matures, the reader gains insight into the culture and societal values of that time, revealed in dramatic moments of symbolic importance. Images of a daring nighttime raid for horses, a spiritual quest, a quiet confrontation with the arrogant U.S. Army cavalry, and a survivor of devastating circumstance flow into my mind whenever I contemplate "Fools Crow". Particularly compelling are the few potent dream sequences wherein characters encounter the spiritual figures that played a role in the everyday lives of the Pikuni. By observing the particular growth of White Man's Dog (later renamed Fools Crow) a reader may notice the contrast between the world of traditional Blackfoot method of living and the world of the "Europeanized" natives, along with the various stages of loss and ruin in-between. However, this novel manages to neither condemn the apparent decline of Native American culture nor cast blame about for its losses, but rather looks towards the future of American Indians with hope grounded in tradition. After I read "Fools Crow", I felt that I had truly taken a step not only towards a greater understanding American history, but also towards an ever-stronger appreciation for Native American culture and heritage.
Rating: 
Summary: The Northern people accurately protrayed
Review: A native american finally protrays his own with eloquence. The beauty of the how the natives lived right before the calvary invaded the west was vividly written. Subsequently the starkness and the reality of how we lost our lands was also honestly written. Bittersweet.
Rating:
Summary: A look at the Native American response to western expansion
Review: Although this book is a novel it has much to say about the roles played by Native Americans, the U.S. Military, the federal government, Canada and the earliest travelers and settlers in parts of Dakota Territory, especially Wyoming & Montana. It follows the life of "Fools Crow" and his family in a well-narrated story of the history of this region of the U.S.
Rating:
Summary: A PERFECT HISTORY....ALMOST
Review: First, this is an outstanding history of the Indian condition since the late 1800's and goes up to the early 40's. A general survey of the white man's laws' results as regards the red man is somewhat enlightening. The meat of the story is, of course about the life of Frank Fools Crow. It is well presented and the reason I rate 4 stars instead of 5 is due to Mail's language as it reads like a text book.I love reading about medicine men as it points up the fact that ANYTHING can happen because God can do anything and everything. I refer to the healing accomplished and the fact that stones speak, animals speak, etc. Fascinating. I really do believe these events and that these things have, do, and will happen; it's all in our belief system. There is a lot of detail as to the various Indian dances and physical diagrams of where the healings take place. If you can apply your faith in a greater power like that shown in this book, then you will be a better person for having read this book.
Rating:
Summary: A PERFECT HISTORY....ALMOST
Review: First, this is an outstanding history of the Indian condition since the late 1800's and goes up to the early 40's. A general survey of the white man's laws' results as regards the red man is somewhat enlightening. The meat of the story is, of course about the life of Frank Fools Crow. It is well presented and the reason I rate 4 stars instead of 5 is due to Mail's language as it reads like a text book. I love reading about medicine men as it points up the fact that ANYTHING can happen because God can do anything and everything. I refer to the healing accomplished and the fact that stones speak, animals speak, etc. Fascinating. I really do believe these events and that these things have, do, and will happen; it's all in our belief system. There is a lot of detail as to the various Indian dances and physical diagrams of where the healings take place. If you can apply your faith in a greater power like that shown in this book, then you will be a better person for having read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Western expansion as experienced by a young Blackfoot man.
Review: FOOL'S CROW is the story of an Indian boy, who becomes a warrior, then a medicine man, as the White Man encroaches upon his people's territory. This book depicts what life
might have been like for the Plains Indian. Welch manages
to maintain a compassionate balance in his portrayals of white and Indian characters alike. An American Indian of
Blackfoot and Gros Venture extraction, Welch draws heavily from his own family's oral history in this novel.
Rating:
Summary: Western expansion as experienced by a young Blackfoot man.
Review: FOOL'S CROW is the story of an Indian boy, who becomes a warrior, then a medicine man, as the White Man encroaches upon his people's terrotory. This book depicts what life
might have been like for the Plains Indian. Welch manages
to maintain a compassionate balance in his portrayals of white and Indian characters alike. An American Indian of
Blackfoot and Gros Venture extraction, Welch draws heavily from his own family's oral history in this novel.
Rating:
Summary: An eye-opening piece of historical fiction
Review: Fools Crow allowed me a historical view of the disintegration of the Native Americans in a unique and realistic way that I have never seen before. It convincincly recreates the Native American way of life and brings the reader into the culture using original and translated words such as "Napikiwan" for the white man and "Night-Red-Light" for moon. Also, Fools Crow is a coming-of-age story. It follows the young and unlucky White Man's Dog on his journey into manhood. His rebellious and angry foil, Fast Horse, adds another viewpoint to the novel. As a whole I enjoyed this book, but I disliked a few important parts. James Welch uses an unusual narration style that is not always successful. He is unable to pull off some characters, such as Raven; however, the shifting narration does add to the book as a whole in an effort to create a more complete and accurate portrayal. In addition, dreams are a key part of this book, but some dream sequences are completely confusing, leaving the reader to question their reality. I liked Welch's clear and precise writing style and his interesting characters. I found the names of the his characters to be especially fascinating because they describe the character in some way, an aspect of culture no longer found today. This book was definently worthwile to read. It entirely changed my perspective on the expansion into the West and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: An eye-opening piece of historical fiction
Review: Fools Crow allowed me a historical view of the disintegration of the Native Americans in a unique and realistic way that I have never seen before. It convincingly recreates the Native American way of life and brings the reader into the culture using original and translated words such as "Napikiwan" for the white man and "Night-Red-Light" for moon. Also, Fools Crow is a coming-of-age story. It follows the young and unlucky White Man's Dog on his journey into manhood. His rebellious and angry foil, Fast Horse, adds another viewpoint to the novel. As a whole I enjoyed this book, but I disliked a few important parts. James Welch uses an unusual narration style that is not always successful. He is unable to pull off some characters, such as Raven; however, the shifting narration does add to the book as a whole in an effort to create a more complete and accurate portrayal. In addition, dreams are a key part of this book, but some dream sequences are completely confusing, leaving the reader to question their reality. I liked Welch's clear and precise writing style and his interesting characters. I found the names of the his characters to be especially fascinating because they describe the character in some way, an aspect of culture no longer found today. This book was definently worthwile to read. It entirely changed my perspective on the expansion into the West and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A Native American literature success
Review: Fools Crow does an excellent job in portraying the life of the Native American when the advancing white man began to endanger the Native American culture, lifestyle, and eventually existence. Detailed to each custom and ritual, the reader will absorb an exceptional amount of Native American background. Everyone has read the history books; we get a somewhat bias outlook of past occurrences through historical documents, and although the book is fiction, the author conveys the other side of the story-the Native American perspective-of the menace that was labeled by whites as harmless exploration and settlement. This book is especially good for Honors English classes which are discussing Native American literature. :) Fools Crow is a "coming of age" story that begins with a lowly tribal boy who lives a fairly normal Native American life, but has nothing else going for him. After a life-changing decision to raid another tribe with a group of warriors, he is quickly and unknowingly propelled into becoming the warrior whom he has always dreamt of. My biggest complaint may have been the monotony of certain everyday happenings, and I had to concentrate to recall all the unfamiliar names and places that were termed with odd names (Heavy Shield Woman, Medicine Line, Kills-Close-To-The-Lake, Sun Chief, etc.) The parallels between the cultures of Native Americans and whites when looking through the eyes of the protagonist were astonishing to me. Welch also succeeded in letting me relate to the main character on specific issues. A good story of this Fools Crow and what will become the final confrontation of his people, on the threshold of extinction, and the advancing whites.
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