The intimate, human memories regarding Charles M. Russell, his genius and eccentricities, which Frank Linderman set down shortly after the death of his good friend, constitute a miscellany of personal insights for which any of Russell's biographers ought to have given his eyeteeth. But in none of the increasingly frequent Russell commentaries, apparently, has use ever been made of these prime source materials.

When Russell and Linderman met, it was to be expected a close friendship would result. Their interests, experiences, and natural inclinations were of the same cloth. They loved...