January 09, 2009

Silver Eagle, like Screaming Eagle

Former Milford resident pens children's book"Silver Eagle" is a compilation of 12 stories that brings a magical creature alive. Silver Eagle is the lone survivor when his Shoshone Indian tribe encampment is destroyed. The Indian brave, thought to be dying, goes through a transformation by absorbing an eagle's energy, spirit and will to live. The brave, now possessing the strength of his tribe and abilities of his an eagle, uses his new-found gifts to benefit all of Mother Earth's creatures.

Radzville said the book is interesting for children because of both the action in the stories and their chance to use their imagination to envision the places described in the books.

"Hopefully in developing their own imagination for both action and visualizing of places and things they will benefit and expand their future vision on their ideas and goals and where their own actions and travels can take them," Radzville said.

Radzville said Silver Eagle is not restricted by place or time, and he sees future stories with the character in the future.

"The plan is to continue writing the stories ... the stories are endless and timeless," he said.

Radzville spent his career in the shopping center development business before starting his writing career. He has 10 grandchildren, who gave Silver Eagle his start.
Comment:  The Silver Eagle book resembles the SCREAMING EAGLE graphic novel, which I wrote about in Indian Comics Irregular #94. I can't tell from this sparse information, but it could be almost identical in theme and execution.

So non-Indian author Radzville started this project by making up stories for his grandchildren? Hmm...that doesn't sound promising.

Is there the slightest chance his stories will be based on the authentic lore of hundreds of diverse tribes? And not on a mishmash of clichés and stereotypes skewed toward the Plains Indians?

That was the main problem with SCREAMING EAGLE. I'm guessing Silver Eagle will have the same problem.

For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Books.

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