Mari Sandoz: Story Catcher of the Plains Paperback – Import, 1 August 1982

After reading 'Old Jules' and having started 'Crazy Horse...', to read Helen Winter Stauffer's biography provided me insight of a special person, Mari Sandoz: Strange Woman of The Sandhills. Sandoz is so much like her dad, full of herself and driven toward what she sees to be her destiny. One might wonder if she succeeded. She has never achieved the status as a writer that she aspired. On the other hand, she did succeed in being faithful to herself, to the messages she wanted to convey and the form that she felt (I believe rightfully so) was so important toward that goal. She is a writer who is still in print, and I expect always to be so. Her works are classics, even if a bit obscure. As Stauffer says of 'Old Jules', there is not another book quite like it. Mari Sandoz is unique in much the same way.Stauffer's work is very well researched, sensitively interpreted, and well written. Mari spent her life shaping her image and editing the work of a future biographer. Stauffer uses this smoke screen to ferret out the 'real' Mari. By making the research difficult, Mari might have contributed to its thoroughness. The biographer defines the author. In this case, the job is well done, and I think this is how Mari Sandoz will stand. I don't think Mari would protest too much, except over those things she never wanted us to know. Even those would gain her respect of Stauffer.Stauffer does a terrific job of relating Mari's purposes and values. Along that line, I believe this biography of Mari Sandoz should be read by any aspiring writer. It is a graphic story of what it means to be an ambitious writer and what one person went through to achieve success. It also teaches the reader what writing meant to Mari, and what & how she strived to accomplish her purposes. It is also a lesson in the importance of integrity.In addition, I have found Sandoz difficult to read. Having read this , I am inspired to read more, now that I know what to look for. A different flavor can often be unpleasant, until its purpose is understood (e.g. my experience with Thai food- which I now cherish).

This biography gives a detailed account of the life, personal hardships and literary struggles of Mari Sandoz, the widely respected writer about the history of the western United States during the late 19th century. It will probably be of interest mainly to those who have read her books and wish to know the story behind her stories. Her childhood life was that of a pioneer on the Nebraska plains in the very early 20th century. As she matured she had the opportunity to come in direct contact with the old settlers and Indians of the previous century and to conduct much original research. Her account of "The Battle of the Little Bighorn" and her definitive biography of "Crazy Horse" are literary landmarks of the genre. Readers who have enjoyed and marveled at the detail included in these books and others will find this biography the best available answer to the question: "How did she do it?"

"Mari Sandoz: Story Catcher of the Plains" is exceptional in several respects. Unlike many biographers, Stauffer maintains detachment from her subject, providing an informed, unbiased view throughout. Stauffer's meticulous research encompasses not only the life and times of Mari Sandoz, but many of the literary and historical battles Sandoz fought with publishers, the movie industry and contemporary authors. By retracing many of the exhaustive Sandoz research efforts Stauffer not only affirms some of Mari's disputed conclusions. but illustrates the obsessive dedication Sandoz brought to her work. Nearly thirty years after publication, Stauffer's biography remains a matchless classic.