Customer Reviews

Geronimo: His Own Story.

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Geronimo: His Own Story" has been revised and edited, with an introduction and notes, by Frederick Turner. This book is the autobiography of the legendary Apache warrior, as told to S. M. Barrett. The copyright page notes that the main text was originally published as "Geronimo's Story of His Life" in 1906.

The revised edition includes the 1906 preface by Barrett; a 33 page introduction by Turner; a "Note on the Text," which describes the genesis of the book; a map, "Apache Country, 1865-1886"; a bibliography; and a generous collection of photographs showing both Geronimo at various stages in his life, and other people of his times. Barrett's introduction tells how the text was delivered orally by Geronimo, and how translator Asa Daklugie helped Barrett turn it into book form. Indeed, in his introduction Turner notes that Geronimo's story is "a preliterate and essentially a prewhite narrative." Altogether the text and supplemental features are about 200 pages long.

Geronimo's fascinating story begins with an Apache creation myth. He discusses his early life, his family, his battles against the Mexicans, his conflict with United States forces, and his life as a prisoner-of-war under U.S. military control. I was especially interested by his descriptions of the military tactics he used. Geronimo also discusses Apache life: religion, hunting, cultural taboos, etc. The book includes some really remarkable accounts, such as Geronimo's visit to the St. Louis World's Fair. The text is quite poignant when Geronimo reflects upon his hope for the survival of his people and their culture.

I would recommend this book to all who are interested in Native American studies, 19th century American history, military autobiography, and the relationship between oral and written literature. But above all, this book is an encounter with an extraordinary human being whose voice remains passionate and compelling after all these decades.

Geronimo: His Own Story is an endlessly fascinating autobiography that belongs in the pantheon of other great American works of autobiography and memoir. This book should take its place alonside other great works of personal non-fiction such as The Autobiography of Malcom X, A Moveable Feast, The Autobiography of Mark Twain, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and (arguably the best of the bunch) The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. This is a strong statement, but after reading this short autobiography it's at least an idea that should be entertained. I found things in this book that I was not expecting, and it ended up being a far more complex and intriguing portrait of Geronimo than I had previously entertained. The most fascinating side of Geronimo that comes across in these two-hundred pages is not Geronimo the warrior but Geronimo the diplomat.

S. M. Barrett's introduction tells us that after Geronimo finished what he wanted to say he would not take questions or add anything more, but merely stated "`Write what I have spoken.'" These are the actions of a man who has a very specific purpose he is pursuing. After reading Geronimo's story I believe his purpose in publishing his tale was to accomplish in peace what he was unable to in war--he wanted to deliver his people back to Arizona.

Geronimo dedicates his story to Theodore Roosevelt, because, in his words, he "knows I speak the truth;...he is fair minded and will cause my people to receive justice in the future; and because he is chief of a great people." Even before his story has started Geronimo strikes a cordial tone. Not only are Geronimo's words flowing with accolades, but they are also giving Roosevelt something to live up to. By stating that Roosevelt is "fair minded and will cause my people to receive justice in the future" he is almost challenging Roosevelt to live up to this description.

Much of the fighting in Geronimo occurs between the Apache's and the Mexicans. Geronimo doesn't try and hide his feelings about the Mexicans, stating not only that he as "no love for the Mexicans," but also that if he was younger, "and followed the warpath," he would "lead into Old Mexico." In fact, his battles with the Mexicans take up a slight majority of the book. He does not make any similarly broad statements when speaking about Americans. Whenever Geronimo criticizes American policy he makes certain that he focuses his criticism on the officer in charge rather than American policy as a whole. Geronimo realizes that merely lashing out at an unfair, but time honored, practice of breaking U.S. treaties would alienate his audience and hurt his cause.

The rhetorical technique Geronimo uses in telling his story is rather matter of fact. This is in stark contrast to some of the more melodramatic works that were popular around the turn of the century. Certainly this highlights a difference in two cultures, but it is also indicative of how Geronimo goes about trying to achieve his goal. Instead of histrionically telling his story he presents it in what seems to be an objective and reasonable voice. When Geronimo gave himself up to the U.S. Army one of the conditions was that his band of Apaches would be sent to Florida with the rest of their families. When the U.S. breaks this condition Geronimo flatly states that this "treatment was in direct violation of our treaty made at Skeleton Canon." He lets the action speak for itself. If he railed against the injustice committed then he would have turned off a mostly white audience. After all, it was their government who was responsible for breaking the treaty.

I won't make this into a thesis (although I probably could). Geronimo: His Own Story is a wonderful portrait of one of American History's most courageous heroes. In the book I was surprised to find out just as much about Geronimo the diplomat as I did about Geronimo the warrior. I'll end this with Geronimo's words: "There is no climate or soil which, to my mind, is equal to that of Arizona. We could have plenty of good cultivating land, plenty of grass, plenty of timber and plenty of minerals in that land which the Almighty created for the Apaches. It is my land, my home, my fathers' land, to which I now ask to be allowed to return. I want to spend my last days there, and be buried among those mountains. If this could be I might die in peace, feeling that my people , placed in their native homes, would increase in numbers, rather than diminish as at present, and that our name would not become extinct."

This version of Geronimo's autobiography includes a 33 page introduction by Frederick Turner. The introduction nothing more than an insight into Mr. Turner's personal prejudices. I can only assume that someone with such strong biases will be unable to prevent them from affecting his editing. My interest was in reading Geronimo's words and not after they have been filtered by someone with an obvious agenda. I am a student of History and not, of the history of political correctness. I will now have to read the original text without Mr. Turner's censorship.

This was a pretty good book and a fast read. The book has an introduction with some history about the Apache conflict and then goes into the part that is Geronimos own words, translated in the early 1900's. The book does point out places in the text that are disputed as being the words of Geronimo. He talks about things that happened to him as a child and as a young man.
However some things that are discussed in detail in traditional history books are barely mentioned here. There are some good pictures in the book. It's very interesting to hear it from his point of view, but I would also recommend other sources to get the complete story from both sides. I would compare the way the text reads to the book "Black Elk Speaks".

I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I FOUND THAT HE HAD ACTUALLY RECORDED THE HISTORY OF HIS OWN LIFE. I ALWAYS ADMIRED WHAT I KNEW OF HIM AND AFTER READING HIS STORY, I HAVE EVEN GREATER ADMIRATION FOR THIS MAN. AS SO MANY OTHER IRONIES OR OUT RIGHT LIES THROUGH OUT HISTORY, YOU LEAVE THIS BOOK WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OPINION AS TO WHO WERE THE REAL "SAVAGES" IN THE FRONTIER.
EVERY CHILD IN AMERICA SHOULD HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK BEFORE THEY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL !!!

This book deserves its own rating system: A great man from a culture that does not have the written word has dictated a very fine autobiography that preserves a time and way of life that are gone forever. For this book you can throw out all the usual criteria regarding sophisticated paragraphing, footnoting/end noting, hyperbole, etc. "Geronimo: His Own Story" easily merits five stars. It is not merely writing about historical events; it is an historical event.

As he tells his own story you see where Geronimo was both a hero and a curse to his people.

My husband and I really enjoyed this book. I knew Geronimo was a great warrior, but did not realize that the part of his life when he was free, was almost dedicated to war - even before the white man came on the scene. I am ashamed of the deceit used by our government in its dealings with the Apaches as well as others. I was impressed that basically until then, it did not seem to occur to the Apaches that anyone would be dishonest. It was great to read his story in his own words.

A good read. I would have liked more information on his family.

G.K.

As far as class textbooks go, this one is okay. It's not especially gripping, but it does give the reader an oft-overlooked view of the Native American's role in American history through the eyes of Geronimo.