Customer Reviews

Chief Pocatello (Idaho Yesterdays)

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Madsen(the foremost authority on the Shoshoni and Bannock Indians of Idaho and Utah) here gives us a portrait of the real Chief. According to Madsen, Pocatello was simply a Chief who was interested in feeding his people and making peace with the white man. While it is true that Pocatello led many raids on wagon trains most notable at Massacre Rock, Madsen says that he was credited with many more raids than he was actually involved in. Madsen also sets for the many fanciful tales that the anti-Pocatello media attributed to him. But the thing that Pocatello is most famous for is the small Idaho town that has his name.

My husband and I are posibly moving to Pocatello ID and wanted to learn more about the area's history. The story of Chief Pocatello was a compelling read and certainly changed my perception of this notorious chief. The author does an excellent job of debunking fact from fiction.

Now when we look at the map of the area, the names of the towns, rivers, lakes and mountains mean something diferent alltogether.

Brigham Madson is an incredible author. This book is well researched and documented, and includes maps and photographs.