This book is well in tune with the times: we must exaggerate, make the misery. Of course the fate of American Indians in overcrowded reserves, decimated by poverty, disease, was pathetic and perform in a circus for them was probably quite humiliating because they were rather caricatured in the show. For younger Indian troop Buffalo Bill it was also the opportunity to travel, to put some money aside for marriage for all to wear long hair (important for men sometimes forced the cut) and traditional clothing. An American photographer Gertrude Käsebier realized in 1898 of intimate portraits of several original members of the troupe Sioux Wild West Show crossing to New York where she lived Some posed with their War Bonnet in majesty, all with traditional clothing , their long hair decorated with feathers include: no misery, but great dignity, great pride appear in these portraits in which the subjects were all volunteers and some speaking and writing English have maintained a friendly correspondence with photographer. Reports Buffalo Bill with Indian is certainly more complex than the author writes, they shamelessly used the admittedly but certainly had an admiration for these proud people and perhaps the nostalgia of a bygone era. The other members of the troupe: cowboys, etc later Cossacks were certainly not treated better than Indians of the band! the lives of entertainers was not very enviable. As for the beautiful book cover photo (portrait by Gertrude Käsebier also) I specify that it is the portrait of a young Métis woman of Native American mother, educated musician and activist named Red Bird unrelated to the poor "lost bird" survivor of Wounded Knee in question in the book! In short I regret having acquired the book, poorly written, poorly documented!
