The Truth About Geronimo [Paperback]

Britton Davis (Author), Milo Milton Quaife (Editor), Robert M. Utley (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1976

Britton Davis's account of the controversial "Geronimo Campaign" of 1885–86 offers an important firsthand picture of the famous Chiricahua warrior and the men who finally forced his surrender. Davis knew most of the people involved in the campaign and was himself in charge of Indian scouts, some of whom helped hunt down the small band of fugitives Robert M. Utley's foreword reevaluates the account for the modern reader and establishes its his torical background.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Although Geronimo is the main character in this book, the reader a (Military Review )

"A valuable contribution to our knowledge of the Apaches, [the book] throws light upon many incidents in the career of Geronimo which have hitherto been obscure."—American Historical Review

(American Historical Review )

"Much more interesting than any fiction ever written about Indians . . . a book that no one who is making a study of American Indians can afford to miss."—Saturday Review

(Saturday Review )

Product Details

• Paperback: 263 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books; First Edition edition (June 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803258402
• ISBN-13: 978-0803258402
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Grit, March 6, 2007

By 

K. Shoop "tkshoop" (roaring spring, pa USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Truth About Geronimo (Paperback)

Britton Davis's reason for writing this book in the 1920's was to set straight some outlandish tales that were being published about who "captured" Geronimo, and some even more fictitious writings on the "Indian Wars."
This is an excellent book, as an adventure tale, as a look at the 'civilized' persons' outlook toward "the Indians" of the day, as a look at the horrific way our government tried to solve the 'indian problem' with a one-size-fits-all method (sound familiar?), and a look at Apaches as individuals rather than all-bad or all-good.
For a tremendous balance of outlooks, read this book along with Eve Ball's "Indeh".

47 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, December 3, 2000

By 

Lynda "OAD CAM" (In the beautiful Trinity Alps, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Truth About Geronimo (Paperback)

In 99.9% of all books written by whitemen about American Indians it is hard to find even a grain of truth or fact. This book is the exception that proves the rule!

While nothing is glossed over, the author does not attempt to sway the reader with sensationalism. He tells about his experiences and gives the good with the bad. He exhibits an almost unheard of ability to set aside any preconceived notions and actually see clearly both sides of the conflict AND views the American Indian as a human being, not some sort of subspecies.

An exceptional view of reality that should be required reading in all American history classes from junior high/middle school through the college level.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good read, April 5, 2008

By 

Dominic "Dom" (pa usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Truth About Geronimo (Paperback)

For any one interested in the real facts of the Apache campains this is for you. It may take a little patience to get through the early reading, Davis is very detailed in names and dates but he has real first hand accounts of things that acctually occured. This is a man I think saw and admired the native people and did his duty in a fair and just manner. Davis is an admiral person and does a great justice to the Indian and the attrocities they endured but at the same time points out that just like in every culture a few bad apples can spoil the lot. He also points out that the government did far more decieving to the Indian they ever did to the government. I always respected the Native Americans and even more so after this book.