Customer Reviews

The Wars for the Pacific Northwest (Eyewitnesses to the Indian Wars, 1865-1890)

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This book works on two different levels for those who find the Indian Wars a compelling area of study. It contains much primary source material on two Indian Wars that have been covered relatively well in secondary sources--The Nez Perce War and the Modoc War. Indeed, the Nez Perce War section comprises nearly half of this book, which is as it should be. I found the little circulated first-hand accounts of the Bear's Paw Battle especially interesting.

It then works on a completely different level by making readily available accounts of some of the least known campaigns during the Indian Wars Period-the Snake-Paiute War, the Bannock War, the and Sheepeater Campaign. There is very little to select from in the way of published and circulating secondary sources on these campaigns, so the primary sources that Mr. Cozzens has judicously selected on these three campaigns help close a gap in my library.

As with his other books in this fine series, Cozzens' footnotes help expand our knowledge of events and participants. Highly recommended.