The Deaths of Sybil Bolton: An American History [Hardcover]

Dennis McAuliffe Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 1994

A journalist provides a provocative look at the systematic reign of terror against the Osage Indians that took place during the 1920s, revealing a campaign of swindles, murder, and cover-up designed to seize the tribe's wealth. 20,000 first printing. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

McAuliffe, a Washington Post editor, never knew his maternal grandmother, Sybil Bolton, an Osage Indian. She died in 1925 at age 21, allegedly of kidney disease. Recently, however, he learned by accident that her death was recorded as suicide. Gripped by disbelief and reporter's instinct, McAuliffe spent the next two years searching for the facts of her death. He unravelled a shocking story that leaves little doubt that his grandmother was murdered. In Oklahoma in the early 1920s, the oil-rich Osages were targetted by prominent white "guardians" in cahoots with corrupt physicians and local politicians. Hundreds of Osages were shot or poisoned, so that their "guardians" could gain rights to their oil holdings. McAuliffe tells the story of a shameful history. Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When Washington Post writer McAuliffe discovered that his Osage Indian grandmother actually died of a gunshot wound, and not kidney disease as he has always been told, he began to wonder about his Osage ancestry and its place in his life. He spent a summer in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in search of his roots, researching the Osages and trying to determine whether his grandmother committed suicide in 1925 or was actually murdered as part of a killing spree by whites against the oil-rich Osages. McAuliffe works through his anger and frustration as he writes; his style is readable and authentically emotional, if somewhat lacking in polish. This account of one man's search for his hidden ethnic heritage is recommended for larger libraries and those with special subject interest.
Gwen Gregory, U.S. Courts Lib., Phoenix
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 337 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1st edition (August 23, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081292150X
• ISBN-13: 978-0812921502
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #697,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Haunting real-life mystery makes you think about your past, December 17, 1999

By 

John L. Pearson "jlarsp" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Deaths of Sybil Bolton: An American History (Hardcover)

I came upon this book accidentally when it first came out, while I was working in a large bookstore. It was the most fascinating story about Native Americans that I had read in a long time. With a plot better constructed than any mystery novel that tells an important and largely unknown part of our country's history, I couldn't figure out why the book didn't catch on and make it big. It certainly deserved to. Rarely have I read a family history in which the author was able and willing to look at his own shortcomings while he explored his family's past. An amazing, wonderful book on many levels. A true shame it has gone out of print. One day it will be brought back and find the audience it deserves.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put the book down until I finished reading it., June 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Deaths of Sybil Bolton: An American History (Hardcover)

Mr. McAuliffe reveals, once again, the ugliness of the White Man take-over of Native Americans. The appalling truth is presented in a style that leads the reader as through a well-written mystery novel. For those who don't understand the desire of Native Americans to retain their culture,or White Man to pompously declare themselves "better" than most, this book is insightful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, February 3, 2012

By 

Rowen - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Deaths of Sybil Bolton: An American History (Hardcover)

This is a factual book that goes into detail about what happened to the Osage Indians. It's very well written.
My grand daughter, wanting to tell the story, used it for her main source in a history project.
She found it easy to understand, and it was of great value to her. I had read it before, but we purchased a copy just for her use.