Memories of Buffalo Bill

by Louisa Frederici Cody

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org

*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Pub Date May 01 2025 | Archive Date Apr 30 2025

University of Nebraska Press | Bison Books

Biographies & Memoirs | History | Nonfiction (Adult)

Talking about this book? Use #MemoriesofBuffaloBill #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!

Description

Written with the help of Courtney Ryley Cooper, Memories of Buffalo Bill offers an idealized account of William F. Cody’s life from the perspective of his wife, Louisa. True to its origins, this account offers many more details about Cody’s domestic life, including his children, than any other preceding work. Although William and Louisa’s real-life marriage was marred by some high-profile scandals, it endured until her husband’s death in 1917.

Memories of Buffalo Bill, the first biography of William F. Cody to appear after his death, strikes a celebratory tone in narrating highlights of his life and enterprises. Through its introduction, notes, and appendixes, this edition offers a broader context for the Codys’ marriage, evidencing its private realities and the collaboration required to preserve the Buffalo Bill image in the public eye. Out of print since its first publication, Louisa Cody’s memoir highlights the processes involved in crafting and preserving a national myth. Both for what it does and does not say, it was the first step in laying a foundation for the enduring legacy of Buffalo Bill as an American icon.

Advance Praise

“Louisa Cody’s biography Memories of Buffalo Bill, written in collaboration with press agent Courtney Ryley Cooper, reads like fiction—and some of it is. Sherry L. Smith’s carefully researched and written introduction to this edition reveals some of the truths Louisa Cody conveniently left out. With Smith’s interpretations, this book offers a fresh and entertaining look at relationships in the Cody family.”—Steve Friesen, author of Galloping Gourmet: Eating and Drinking with Buffalo Bill

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781496242587
PRICE	$26.95 (USD)
PAGES	346

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Reader (PDF)

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)

Send to Kindle (PDF)

Download (PDF)

Additional Information

Average rating from 3 members

Featured Reviews

Jeanne S, Reviewer

Memories of Buffalo Bill was written by Louisa Frederici Cody with the help of Courtney Ryley Cooper after William Cody’s death.

As stated in Sherry L. Smith’s introduction, this is an idealized view of Buffalo Bill (Will) and Louisa’s marriage authored by Louisa. The divorce proceedings humiliated her and it what was publicized was mostly Will’s testimony as he tried to have their marriage dissolved. After his death, she had the opportunity to put her version of the truth out there. This was a very interesting to learn about life back then from Louisa’s point of view. It was disturbing to read the parts regarding the killing of Indians as just another notch on a gun, but it was true to the times. At the end there are a number of photographs and exerts from the divorce depositions.

Was this review helpful?

Reviewer 131816

Thank you to the University of Nebraska Press and NetGalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

I grew up a few miles from Buffalo Bill's Scout Ranch, so I have always been curious about Buffalo Bill. This accounting, as mentioned, is Louisa's idealized version. It was still very interesting reading of their marriage during that era. The sorrow of losing all four of their children was deeply felt. This was a good book on Buffalo Bill and Louisa Cody.

Was this review helpful?