Forts of the Northern Plains is a guide to 51 historic military posts of the Plains Indian Wars, primarily those involved in the wars with the Sioux (Dakota) Indians. The book was written by Jeff Barnes, with a foreword by U.S. Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

Released in June 2008 by Stackpole Books, the book includes the seven northern states of the Great Plains. It gives a brief history of each of the posts, why they were built and what became of them, illustrated by historical images and present-day photographs. The guide covers the frontier forts from the late 1810s through the 1890s, reflecting the period of the first Fort Atkinson, Nebraskaand last military conflicts with the Plains Indians. This is the most complete reference guide to the forts in nearly 40 years and adds several sites not included in earlier works.

More than a reference book, however, Forts of the Northern Plains is also an historical travel guide to Fort Sisseton, South Dakotathe military posts. The book  includes information on visiting each of the sites, with directions, admissions and hours, ammenities, special events, nearby attractions, and other tips. In planning a trip, you'll know which sites will provide vacation entertainment for the whole family... and which ones are for the most die-hard "road warrior" historian. You'll know where you can walk in the footsteps of Custer and the Seventh Cavalry, and of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

For the armchair traveler, present-day photos for each of the sites are included, as are historical depictions of the posts. Effort was made to include images not previously published in histories of the forts.

"Jeff Barnes has produced a valuable combination of history and travel guide for all students of the northern Plains Indian wars. A very timely, very impressive work." 
    Robert M. Utley, former chief historian of the National Park Service and author of Frontier Regulars: The United States Army and the Indian, 1866-1891
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"A much-needed, up-to-date guide to these forts that were critical to the army presence during the Indian campaigns of the late nineteenth century. This book should be on the shelves of everyone with an interest in the West during this traumatic period of American history."
    Jerome A. Greene, historian, National Park Service (retired) and author of Indian War Veterans: Memories of Army Life and Campaigns in the West, 1864-1898
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    "It has been nearly twenty-five years since a guidebook has been published on the old forts of the Northern Plains. This book fills that void with detailed historic summaries, current status, and a call for their preservation. I heartily recommend it."
    Col. Herbert M. Hart, USMC (Ret.), Council on America's Military Past

Forts of the Northern Plains  is available direct from the author . You may also purchase the book at independent and major book retailers throughout the midwest, from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Target.com, and many other bookselling websites.

(NOTE: Book photography is black & white.)

You are Visitor #

COMING THIS JUNE TO SOUTH DAKOTA AND WYOMING! CHECK MY APPEARANCES!

 

(For more detailed information, visit booktour.com)

Wednesday, March 10
Stromsburg Public Library
Stromsburg, NE

Saturday, March 13
Military Relics & Weapons Show
Hastings, NE

Monday, April 12
Alice M. Farr Library
Aurora, NE

Wednesday, April 14
Field Club Neighborhood Association
Omaha, NE

Saturday, April 24
Wine, Writers and Song Festival
Brownville, NE

Thursday, May 20
O'Neill Public Library
O'Neill, NE

Saturday, June 5
Fort Sisseton Historical Festival
Lake City, SD

Sunday, June 6
Old Courthouse Museum
Sioux Falls, SD

Saturday, June 12
Dawson County Museum
Lexington, NE

Wednesday, June 23
Fort Caspar Museum
Casper, WY

Thursday, June 24
 Jim Gatchell Museum
Buffalo, WY

Friday-Saturday,
June 25-26
Little Bighorn Days
Hardin, MT

BOOK AN APPEARANCE FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION TODAY!
Contact
Jeff Barnes at
(402) 516-6465 or jeff@northernforts.com



Jeff Barnes
A freelance writer and fifth-generation Nebraskan, Jeff Barnes is a former newspaper reporter and editor, past chairman of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission,  former marketing director for the Durham Western Heritage Museum, and current board member of the Douglas County Historical Society. He traveled more than 13,000 miles in researching and photographing Forts of the Northern Plains, his first book.

Barnes sought and gained access to restricted military and private sites to compile the most complete guide to the forts published in years. He researched and added histories of each of the sites, along with information helpful to anyone wanting to visit them.

He is currently writing and researching for his second book - Forts of the Southern Plains - covering the historic military posts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas during the Plains Indian Wars of that region.



Copyright . Jeff Barnes. All rights reserved.
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