One Thousand White Women

By: Jim Fergus, J. Will Dodd - introduction

Narrated by: Laura Hicks, Erik Steele

Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on an actual historical event, this is the story of May Dodd—a remarkable woman who, in 1875, travels through the American West to marry the chief of the Cheyenne Nation.

One Thousand White Women begins with May Dodd’s journey into an unknown world. Having been committed to an insane asylum by her blue-blood family for the crime of loving a man beneath her station, May finds that her only hope for freedom and redemption is to participate in a secret government program whereby women from “civilized” society become the brides of Cheyenne warriors. What follows is a series of breathtaking adventures—May’s brief, passionate romance with the gallant young army captain John Bourke; her marriage to the great chief Little Wolf; and her conflict of being caught between loving two men and living two completely different lives.

“Fergus portrays the perceptions and emotions of women…with tremendous insight and sensitivity.”—Booklist

“A superb tale of sorrow, suspense, exultation, and triumph.” —Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump

©1998 Jim Fergus (P)2006 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Fergus lets his imagination go wild and creates a journal of one of his ancestors who became one of those brides in 1875. Laura Hicks renders this imaginative work splendidly. She is vivacious and expressive as May Dodd." ( Audiofile)

Only Fair

The message about how badly the Indians in America were treated is loud and clear. I found the book to be long on message and short on interest. It took forever to develop. I also felt like it was written in a semi-childish way. The narration was borderline irritating. The voice of the narrator was grating.

The Best I’ve read!

What an incredible book! It gives great insight into the culture of the times: Native American and White. I’ll recommend it to all my friends.

Imaginative fiction laced with history

The writer did his historical research... then let his imagination run wild. Very enjoyable read.

1000 white women

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! at first I thought it to be a historical romance , but as it went along, I understood it to be such a better genre than romance! for although there is romantic love, there is also love of family and friendships and of growing stronger with deeper understanding of people around you! This book shows Of dishonesty and bigotry at its core. Of backward and forward thinking. Of history and faith and trust .

wow. what a moving story!!

what an excellent story!! now on to research if it is true!! a great read.

Unhistorical fiction

I like to read historical fiction, but don’t feel this book qualifies as that. Almost all characters are fictional, as is the situation that brings the women to the western plains. I was also disappointed that the voices of the characters often distracted me from the storyline. I was too aware of the narrator switching “voices”, rather than just listening to one character, and then another. Sorry.

Awesome Book and loved the historical part

What did you love best about One Thousand White Women?

this is worth reading for all women, i loved the book and had no idea I would like the genre, easy to read and kept me interested the entire time.

What other book might you compare One Thousand White Women to and why?

not sure possible Calico Palace

What does Laura Hicks and Erik Steele bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

not sure

If you could take any character from One Thousand White Women out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Any of the ladies

Really Interesting as well as Entertaining

Would you listen to One Thousand White Women again? Why?

Yes. I really like the imagery and the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that I could identify with a woman from so long ago.

What does Laura Hicks and Erik Steele bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I tend to skip ahead when I am reading a book but the way it was read was very entertaining and kept me engaged.

Tremendous tale of courage

The narrative of this book is spot on. I especially loved the readers voices throughout the book.

Mae Dodd, a true heroin of the wild West.

This is the second reading of this book for me. Enjoyed it as much as the first reading.