Customer Reviews

Blood Brother

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As far as historical fiction goes this is as good as it gets. Based upon the actual relationship between Cochise and a white US Army scout - Tom Jeffords - the author pours into the novel his own extensive research into the 1856-1872 era of what is now Arizona. This is not fluff writing and it is not romanticized. Cochise emerges as a real person with both light and dark shades as does Jeffords and the white and Hispanic settlers of the Arizona Territory. An extremely well-balanced account written well ahead of the time when more balanced accounts came into vogue. (First published in 1947.) This is also a very good read in terms of drama and pace and plot and characterization. I would not hesitate to ask students to read this piece alongside other more academic accounts of the clash in the American Southwest between the Chiricahua people and those who moved en masse into their homeland. The author, Elliott Arnold, has taken great pains to make this read as authentic as possible. Highly recommended.

Elliott Arnold's classic work tells the story of two Americans, one red, the other white, who overcome many obstacles to bring about peace in Arizona. The book is rich in character development as it details the Apache way of life, especially of the Chiricahua tribe and their leader, Cochise. Their history is one of endless conflict with the Mexicans, other Indian tribes and occasionaly white men, which results in the Bascom affair and begins Cochise's ten year war with the U.S. military. Scout Tom Jeffords is a loner, quiet and introspective, who rides to Cochise's stronghold to make peace with the Apaches, a peace that is not welcome by either the Tucson ring or many of the farflung warlike Apache bands. Elliott knew the deserts and mountains of the southwest, the Indians, their customs and tells his story that represents both points of view and is perhaps the best account ever written about that bloody period in Arizona.

This book is an excellent insight into the opening of the stage line through Apache territory in the mid 1800s, and the relationship that grew between Indian Chief Cochise and Indian Agent Tom Jeffords. Although it is fictionalised, the content is based on history and includes an enormous amount of factual information. This book, along with Apache (the story of Mangas Coloradas) are excellent reads for anyone interested in Indian/American history. Blood Brother is also the book from which the movie Broken Arrow was taken.

I've read this book and eighth grade. To me a long time but I like that a lot I like the it has some history of the Indians and white men get try to get along with them. Though white men try to live with the Indians I thought it was interesting to read. It made you feel like you were there at that time.

From the desk of Mark F.

Historical novel, later a movie and a popular T.V. series. Idealized view of Apache life. Tom Jeffords goes to Cochise so he can get the mail through Apache territory. Jeffords marries an Apache girl. Events led to peace until Cochise's death

I was glad to receive this book as I have been looking for it for awhile. But I must say when I opened it and found the book in pieces, it did not make my day. I think mailing it in that condition was a pretty shoddy thing to do.