Mangas Coloradas: Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches (Civilization of the American Indian Series) [Hardcover]

Edwin R. Sweeney (Author)

Book Description

Series: Civilization of the American Indian Series | Publication Date: October 15, 1998

Mangas Coloradas led his Chiricahua Apache people for almost forty years. During the last years of Mangas’s life, he and his son-in-law Cochise led an assault against white settlement in Apachería that made the two of them the most feared warriors in the Southwest. In this first full-length biography of the legendary chief, Edwin R. Sweeney vividly portrays the Apache culture in which Mangas rose to power and the conflict with Americans that led to his brutal death.

A giant of a man, Mangas combined strength with wisdom and became leader of the Chiricahuas by 1842. Leading war parties against the Mexicans of Sonora, Mangas returned to his homelands in southwestern New Mexico with livestock, booty, and captives. In 1846 he welcomed Americans who joined in his fight against the Mexicans. But as more white miners, ranchers, and farmers encroached on the Apaches’ territory, tragic incidents caused retaliations that pressured Mangas, along with Cochise, to fight back in desperation. When Mangas finally tried to make peace in 1863, he was captured and killed by American soldiers. Ironically, the death of Mangas Coloradas, who had wished only to live in peace in his land, inflamed American-Apache relations and led to another twenty-three years of war.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One would expect that a biography of the great Apache leader would be sympathetic to the Native American's plight. Mangas was a prominent and influential leader of his people against the Mexicans and later the Americans who ended his life in 1863. But Sweeney's (Cochise) choice of language in his cumbersome work is appalling. Whites fighting against Apaches "killed a few Indians," "repeatedly whipped," "slain," "executed," and "dispassionately killed"; the Apaches "massacred," "murdered," "killed indiscriminately," "laid waste," "committed... depredations" and "slaughtered" troops and civilians?as if what the Apaches did in trying to protect and sustain their way of life was more heinous than what Mexicans and Americans were doing to deprive them of it. Especially dismaying is this passage describing an Apache raid: "they lanced seventy head of cattle, just for devilment" portraying them as little more than mischievous children. Understandably, any reconstruction of events will necessitate a dependence on historical documents, especially in this case with no records from the Apaches. But a historian should be careful of surmises, and the frequent use of "probably," "perhaps," "likely" and "apparently" undermines reader confidence. The writing is blase, a sluggish narrative that is little more than recounting of historical facts. Mangas Coloradas's life was anything but boring, and although well researched, this volume of his life is just that. Illustrated.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Sweeney (Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief, LJ 5/1/91) has written a sympathetic biography of Mangas Coloradas ("red sleeves"), who led the Chiricahua Apache nation for almost 40 years. A large and powerful man (6' 4" tall) who led war parties against the Mexicans of Sonora, Mangas welcomed Americans into his territory in 1846 because they treated his people well and joined him in his fight against the Mexicans. However, as more whites came, retaliatory incidents caused Mangas and his son-in-law, Cochise, to fight back. When Mangas finally tried to make peace in 1863, he was captured and killed by American soldiers, which led to more than two decades of war. The strength of this first full-length biography lies in Sweeney's presenting all sides of the story, using historical papers, correspondence, newspaper accounts, and state documents. This well-written book would have been even stronger had it more greatly emphasized Apache social organization and political system, but it will still serve as a standard historical source on Mangas Coloradas and his followers.?Vicki L. Toy Smith, Univ. of Nevada, Reno
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 608 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press; 1St Edition edition (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806130636
• ISBN-13: 978-0806130637
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #690,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Chief, December 27, 2000

By 

"mangas40" (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mangas Coloradas: Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches (Civilization of the American Indian Series) (Hardcover)

Before Geronimo, before Cochise, there was Mangas. Mangas Coloradas "red sleeves" is a facinating read. Having grown up in Apacheria I knew of Mangas. In fact I lived, and have relatives, at Apache Tejo, where he met his demise. If you want to truly understand what led up to the American/Indian wars of the late 1800's, and why they occurred, then this is a must read. It is written exquisitely. My only regret is that there weren't more maps to help show where the various battle sites were. A 5-star rating for a wonderful book. This one I'm keeping.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mangas Coloradas Chief of The Chiricahua Apaches, November 20, 2009

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Douglas R. Causey - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mangas Coloradas: Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches (Civilization of the American Indian Series) (Hardcover)

Like Goyathlay (Geronimo), I've always regarded Mangas Coloradas as a mentor...teacher, one who spoke the truth and never relaxed in his determined endeavor to bring salvation to the Apache People and deliver them from evil. Man of honor! Man of integrity! Great leader! Good book! So, buy it and read it!

5.0 out of 5 stars mangas coloradas, September 17, 2009

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George W. Courage - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mangas Coloradas: Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches (Civilization of the American Indian Series) (Hardcover)

very enlighting,author keeps your intrest hightend ! living for 3+ years in new mexico i had heard of mangas but new hardly anything of this great apache leader,now i do!