The big action for November, as far as I’m concerned is the November 11 airing of The Warrior Tradition on PBS.
The Warrior Tradition tells the astonishing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and largely-untold story of Native Americans in the United States military. Why would Indian men and women put their lives on the line for the very government that took their homelands? The film relates the stories of Native American warriors from their own points of view – stories of service and pain, of courage and fear.
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Wes Studi — himself a part of that warrior tradition — received an honorary Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during the Academy’s 11th annual Governors Awards on October 27. A tip of the hat to a great one.
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November 2 is Daniel Boone’s birthday. Since it’s a Saturday, I plan to spend it in the woods in his honor. In fact, since my own birthday is November 6, I plan to combine celebrations — roam the woods, re-watch Daniel Boone and the Opening of the West and dine on steak.
Daniel Boone on the Missouri River. Art by Gary Zaboly.
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I’m intrigued by Contested Ground — probably intrigued enough to order the book and DVD by Steven C. Adelson.
It’ll pair nicely with Lakota America, which I am finding excellent, as expected. The famous events of the Powder River War and the Great Sioux War are de-emphasized in favor of lining out the rise of the Lakota Nation/Empire from the 17th Century to the middle of the 19th Century. This is territory that I knew only in outline, so I am greatly enjoying developing a deeper understanding.
I just glory in these explorations, as I find new trails to walk and as old stories become fresh again with new context.
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Y’all have heard me gripe about the Wyatt Earp story being told over and over ad nauseam. Well, much to my chagrin, I’m going to have to walk that back… I make a special pleading: John Boessenecker. If he writes it, I read it. Period.
The Cowboys were the largest outlaw gang in the history of the American West. After battles with the law in Texas and New Mexico, they shifted their operations to Arizona. There, led by Curly Bill Brocius, they ruled the border, robbing, rustling, smuggling and killing with impunity until they made the fatal mistake of tangling with the Earp brothers.
Drawing on groundbreaking research into territorial and federal government records, John Boessenecker’s Ride the Devil’s Herd reveals this long-forgotten chapter of Wild West history.
Coming in March 2020…
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Came across this beauty while scoping out German rifles — a .60 caliber percussion jaeger rifle presented to Col. John Coffee Hays, Texas Ranger, by the German Association of Texas c. 1844. Walnut stock with nickel silver furniture. Big medicine.
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I’m in. I’ve long been intrigued by Polish author Andres Sapkowski’s creation, though my only real exposure to it is listening to the sublime video game soundtrack as writing background. Bounty-hunting monsters in the Wild East? Hell yes.
RLT says
I liked the first couple Witcher games when they came out. I don’t really game anymore; it’s on that long list of things I liked to do but had to give up to support my writing habit. But I do remember monsters were a big part of those games, so it’s kinda funny to see a trailer with almost none of them. They’re clearly gunning hard for the “Thrones” fan base…I never watched it, but I’m certain TV producers are looking at that void in the market like the ’49ers looked at California.
JimC says
HBO is trying to figure out which sequel to back. Sorry to see Naomi Watts didn’t make the cut cuz, well, Naomi Watts. Oh well…
As for monsters in the trailer, I suspect they want to keep the wow factor under wraps. From what I’ve read, it sounds like they’ve put a cinema level of work into creating them with live action and CGI mixed.
RLT says
That makes sense. It’s not like Netflix doesn’t have the budget for it…
Love that caplock. I’m a sucker for a full-stock percussion rifle. Probably going to go that route something with my half-stock this winter.
JimC says
Right there with you. I think that’s my archetype and ideal of what a rifle is and should be right there…
Craig Rullman says
Hanta Yo.
JimC says
Yep.
.lane batot says
HEY MAN! I offered you a copy of “Hanta Yo” awhile back for a Blog Tithe! You finally interested? Or did you get yer own copy? My old, first edition hardback copy is falling to pieces, reread so many times!(you won’t get THAT one, though–too sentimental….) I remember when it first came out–I read a magazine article about the author, Ruth Beebe Hill, and how she worked with her Lakota translator(Chunksa Yuha, if I’m remembering right?), and not only translated Lakota into English, but translated it into 1800’s English! Never saw that approach before, but she was trying very hard to make it as accurate as possible. My opinion of the book? Despite the naysayers over the years, I feel that when you finally get through that book, some of yer genetics automatically transforms and BECOMES Lakota!
JimC says
Rullman lent me his copy and has been on my case about it since. I truly think I’m a bit intimidated by it. But I’m in now — about 60 pages and off for more tonight.
Fletcher Vredenburgh says
As always, your posts leave me with too many more things to watch it read. Thanks.
JimC says
Most gratifying sir!
deuce says
A bountiful November harvest, indeed! Looks like our Mutual Birthday Month is shaping up well, Jim. I’m especially been looking forward to THE WARRIOR TRADITION, which is a topic I’ve been interested in since at least high school. The First Nations percentage of the US population may be small, but their US military footprint has been outsized.
Total props to Wes Studi for his Oscar. Too long in coming, IMO.
Steve Erickson says
Good god man, your curiosity motor runs at a high rpm.
JimC says
Hah! Never thought of it in those terms but… yeah.
JimC says
Great to hear from you Deuce. Have a grand month, and delve deep into the good stuff.
Paul McNamee says
Happy November!
wayne says
I love the jaeger rifle!
Paul McNamee says
Not out until December, but here comes Bass Reeves!
https://youtu.be/Dml8ovobRA0
Dave Allen says
It seems fashionable of late by both historians and novelists to cast dispersion on the Earp brothers as ruffians and corrupt business and lawmen. Larry McMurtry was especially unkind to them in his Telegraph Days novel. Will have to see how Boessenecker treats them. Looks like the Hawken brothers took a few cues from that Jaeger rifle!
JimC says
My expectation — based on his treatment of Bob Paul who was an Earp associate — is that Boessenecker is probably relatively sympathetic to the Earps, though I’m sure he will portray them in their fullness, warts and all.
I had the same thought about the jaeger. Add a deep crescent butt and just a bit more belly on the foreshock and it could pass for a full-stock Hawken.