The Apache Indians (Bison Book) [Paperback]

Frank C. Lockwood (Author), Dan L. Thrapp (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Bison Book | Publication Date: June 1, 1987

Cochise. Geronimo. Apache Indians known to generations of readers, moviegoers, and children playing soldier. They enter importantly into this colorful and complex history of the Apache tribes in the American Southwest. Frank C. Lockwood was a pioneer in describing the origins and culture of a proud and fierce people and their relations with the Spaniards, Mexicans, and Americans. Here, too, is a complete picture of the Apache wars with the U.S. Army between 1850 and 1886 and the government's dealings with them. When The Apache Indians was first published in 1938, Oliver La Farge called it "the best study we have of . . . the military campaigns." Dan L. Thrapp, noted historian of the Apache wars, has written a foreword for this Bison Book edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book is a splendid synthesis, careful, complete, dispassionate, and contains much . . . material from oral accounts of eyewitnesses, and from unpublished documents. It is entertaining, and is undoubtedly the best account for the general reader."— Christian Science Monitor

(Christian Science Monitor )

"In the main it is a book for the general reader, though the student will find it well equipped with notes and references helpful for further research. The style is simple, clear, and at times . . . deeply impressive. The work reveals a thorough study of sources, and it aims to treat fairly the ever-baffling question of the rights and wrongs of two contending races."—New York Times

(New York Times )

Product Details

• Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books; 2nd edition (June 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803279256
• ISBN-13: 978-0803279254
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hstory teachers are lying to you, READ THIS BOOK, November 20, 2000

By 

D. Deluca "bass guitar" (az, usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Apache Indians (Bison Book) (Paperback)

This book will de bunk the myth about apaches being savages and uncultured criminals. The apache people were a nomadic people, and the US Government taught them more about treachery than any village elder ever could. Treaties broken , starving people forced to march to barren wastelands, all the things the US Government forced the apache to endure are here. Only then did the apache begin to fight the white man in seriousness, and then only in small numbers. It is a tribute to their tenacity and strength that they were able to avoid capture by 'three stars' Crook for so long. In particular my favorite chapters were those about noble apache chiefs like Cochise and Mangas Colorado. These were the true leaders of the apache, Geronimo was never revered as a leader until he broke off from the main tribe. I have read this book over and over, its a hard read, but worth it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Work, July 8, 2011

By 

Renee C. Ozer (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Apache Indians (Bison Book) (Paperback)

I got my copy of this at a National Park bookstore. It is a gripping book. (I bought several books on the Southwest at the same time, and most of them were soporific, so this one really stood out.) It was first published in 1938 and relies on, among other things, first-hand accounts (although as the author reminds us, one cannot expect entirely dispassionate histories from people who actually lost friends or family in skirmishes). The book is fair and even-handed, especially remarkable for the time.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read., October 19, 2011

By 

Ken Lopez Maddox (Aliso Viejo, California United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Apache Indians (Bison Book) (Paperback)

Southwest history and the Native-American experience tends not to garner the attention of the Plains Indians. This is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about this complex culture and the impact of westward migration on the Apache.