Presenting Buffalo Bill

Starred review from August 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 toâand possibly inspiredâthe 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 10â14. Agent: Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Agency

July 1, 2016
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)

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September 1, 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

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2016
Grades 5-8 Fleming's (The Family Romanov, 2014) insightful biography of William Buffalo Bill Cody isn't just about the making of this legendary persona but also the myth of the Wild West. Having gained his nickname while working as a buffalo hunter, Cody continued to earn fame as a U.S. Army scout during the American Indian wars. When a dime novelist began spinning fictitious stories about Buffalo Bill, his character was established as a western action hero. To cash in on his reputation, Cody created his Wild West show, solidifying his stardom and shaping the Wild West narrative, including its quest for expansion and stereotyped Cowboys vs. Indians mythos. Fleming teases facts from the legends surrounding Cody, conceding that sometimes the truth lies somewhere in between, and presents chapters filled with period photographs as acts in the showman's life. Considerable coverage is given to the unjust treatment of Native Americans at this time; and an author's note addresses Fleming's mindful use of terminologies (many still problematic) when writing about Native American people. An illuminating look at an American legend.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2017
Fleming examines two connected myths of history: "Buffalo Bill" Cody's life story and the nineteenth-century American frontier. Each chapter begins with a scene from Cody's romanticized "Wild West" show, and multi-paged sidebars address, like a tutorial for evaluating historical sources, how Cody's stories often differ from the historical record. Frequent period photographs complete this clear and informative biography. Websites. Bib., ind.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 1, 2016
Fleming (Amelia Lost, rev. 3/11; The Family Romanov, rev. 7/14) sets her sights on two connected myths of American history: William Frederick Buffalo Bill Cody's life story and the American frontier in the nineteenth century. Cody, a bodacious storyteller, embellished his autobiography with colorful additions to such events as his involvement in the 1857 Mormon War and claims that he rode for the Pony Express and killed Chief Tall Bull. In multi-paged sidebars Fleming addresses each incident, pointing out how his stories often differ from the historical record. Frequently, in Panning for the Truth (as she titles these sidebars), she does not find definitive conclusions but, like a conscientious mathematician showing her work rather than simply stating an answer, offers a tutorial for evaluating historical sources. Exploring these exaggerations is important because Cody's version of his life became the basis for his international show The Wild West, seen by thousands in the United States and Europe. More than entertainment, this show created a romanticized Western frontier full of excitement, hostile Indians, sharpshooters, and brave scouts that defined a piece of American culture for decades. Underscoring that link, Fleming begins each chapter with a scene from the Wild West show, using the theatrical production to introduce a time period in Cody's life, which, unadorned, is still fascinating, as this man with a hardscrabble childhood makes and loses several fortunes over his lifetime. Frequent period photographs, a bibliography, source notes, internet resources, and an index (unseen) complete this clear and informative biography. betty carter

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)