Customer Reviews

Carlos Montezuma, M.D.: A Yavapai American Hero--The Life and Times of an American Indian, 1866-1923

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The story of Carlos reveals the tribulations faced by the American Indian and gives an enlightening look at medicine during the turn of the century. This book is objective, well-writen and gives a fresh perspective to our history.

I must say this book is one of the best reads in years! Not only is it well written and well researched it in very interesting!

This passionately written book relates the story of an amazing man whose life existed in two cultures: one Americans label as native/indigenous, the other as cultured/civilized. The circumstances of Montezuma's life placed him in a position few had at that time to help bridge the gap. The rich and well researched detail in this book gives the reader insite into a time and subject in American history about which we all ought to be more informed. The love story that unfolds, the great old photographs, maps, and printed documents that enhance the text, and the quotes from Montezuma's own colorful, often poetic writing make him real and this book a must-read.

Because history is a record written by the winners, most of us grew up with little true knowledge of the struggles that gripped native peoples in the United States. Through the story of the life and times of Carlos Montezuma, Speroff takes us on a compassionate, yet academic journey through the Native American saga of the late 19th, and early 20th century. Montezuma was kidnapped as a young child from his Yavapai parents by Apache warriors and sold to an Italian photographer traveling through the desert southwest. Educated in the leading Indian schools of the time, he embraced the assimilation of Native Americans into the dominant white culture and became the first Native American physician. Through original documents, we follow a transition in Montezuma's thought that leads him to fight for the establishment of a reservation for the Yavapai people. This book is extraordinarily well researched, and includes many photographs of the actual historic sites taken by the author. Montezuma's story is inspiring and compelling, tragic yet uplifting. All this plus a tender and dramatic love story transmitted through original letters make this book a must read.

Speroff's detailed description of Dr. Montezuma is drawn with US government Native American policy as a back drop. Using Dr. Montezuma's dramatic transition from war captive and slave to a medical doctor, Dr. Speroff weaves Montezuma's experiences with others imbroiled in the post Civil War "Indian Problem". Presidents, College Administrators, Indian Agents, Military Leaders and Polticians all played key, and many times tragic roles in vacillating treatment of Native Americans. Speroff brings all of this together in a comprehensive yet personal way.

This is an incredible story written about an incredible man by yet another incredible man. I would highly recommend it to anyone interest in history and/or the history of medicine.

Leon Speroff is an amazing author, he takes you places you have never been, this book is very well researched and wonderfuly crafted. Bravo. I highly recommend it!