The tumultuous years after the Civil War are seen through the unique perspective of an escaped slave who became a sergeant major of the United States Cavalry in this ambitious, adventurous saga about one man"s experiences as an African-American Buffalo Soldier. Deep in the plains of Kansas, on the brink of a bitter winter, Nate Gordon must aid the United States in clearing the frontier of hostile Cheyenne warriors, the feared Dog Soldiers. When not clashing with these seasoned hunters, or the prejudices of his commanding officers, he seeks comfort in thinking of his headstrong, beautiful lover, Cara, a Comanche Mexican woman who is also an escaped slave. From his escape from slavery aboard a Louisiana steamboat, with a debonair octoroon as his only friend, to the horrors he witnessed at the hands of murderous Missouri bushwhackers, Nate has known adventures and hardships. Armed with the knowledge of his experiences, Nate must prepare himself to meet his enemies as he joins forces with some of the West"s most legendary characters including: "Buffalo Bill" Cody, Kit Carson, and General George Custer. But Nate"s battle becomes more personal when he discovers that Cara, pregnant with his child, has been kidnapped by her cruel former master. J. P. Sinclair Lewis delves deeply into the lives of African-Americans serving in the military. With his rich attention to historical detail, Lewis acknowledges the real trials these brave soldiers had to face, making Nate Gordon a compelling hero, and Buffalo Gordon on the Plains, a worthy and exciting new addition to the world of historical fiction.