Customer Reviews

Watch for Me on the Mountain

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Reading THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE prompted me to find other Forrest Carter works. Through Amazon, I discovered the Josey Wales books (terrific). References to Geronimo in those books piqued my interest about this fascinating historical figure, so I ordered WATCH FOR ME ON THE MOUNTAIN. It did not disappoint. Though Carter takes liberties with the story by including personal details about Geronimo which he could not know--thus making it a fictional work--there is a symmetry in his use of history and folklore which is captivating. He tells a great story, and if you are the least bit interested in the spirituality and mysticism that defined this man's life, you will find this book fascinating. Geronimo lived between the earthly and spiritual worlds, giving him great powers which he used to enable the Apache to ward off slavery and death,against huge odds, for twenty years longer than seemed possible. Moving, sad and inspiring, this book brings about heightened appreciation for Native American spirituality and resillency.

Regardless of all the hype behind Forrest Carter, his background and his politics, he remains one of my personal favorite authors. I like to consider this particular book as the definitive biography on Geronimo, although it is listed as fiction. His genius of warfare was astounding. It makes one realize that the Apache Nation was not a nation of warriors arbitrarily. In fact, they protected the southern border, along with all the other nations, from infiltration from foreigners for generations. Had the Apaches been on the east coast of this nation in the 18th century, this might still be a native land.....

I've read thousands of books in my 40-odd years and will sometimes realize, halfway through a new paperback, that I've already read it. Such a mistake could never be made with "Watch for Me on the Mountain." It wrenches your heart and your gut, forever etching in your mind scenes and people from long ago. It lifted me up, filled me with joy, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. One of my top five all-time favorites.

Whatever the court of public opinion is on Forrest(Asa) Carter, one thing is for certain..this guy could really write. In this book he takes much of the history of Geromino and writes a fantastic story. The Chiricahua Apaches had a great hatred for the Mexicans and spent many years and blood warring with the Mexican soldiers. That hatred was caused by the Spanish taking the Apaches as slaves, stealing Apache women, forced religious conversions, placing a bounty on the their scalps and generally trying to wipe out their settlements. That hatred was so fierce that the Apaches, for a time, even allowed the US Cavalry free access acrossed their lands. Alot of this action takes place among the Sierra Madres along the Mexican border. From this culture came Geronimo..a spiritual medicine man and battle tactician...the Apache Chiefs relied on his wisdom(how much is certainly debatable). When the US Cavalry got involved and the Apaches were forcibly moved to the San Carlos Reservation(Eastern Arizona), he and one of the Chiefs, Juh, fled with a band of followers back into old Mexico. Carter fills the pages with treachery, vengance and pathos making this a fantastic page-turner. The book is written, as expected, from Geronimos' and the Apaches' point of view and generally favors their actions...Carter was no great respecter of the US Cavalries position either Gen. Crooks' or Miles'.
Forrest Carter certainly had his prejudices and problems but these in no way should detract from what is otherwise a great read.

I was assigned to read The Education of Little Tree while in college. I was so impressed with the book I recommended it to my mother, who had the same opinion. She was so impressed she bought all of Forrest Carter's book and she insisted that I read, Watch For Me On The Mountain. That was close to ten years ago, and it still stays with me. Carter's writing is direct, to the point, and extremely vivid, almost raw. I was haunted by much of this book and perhaps it is that feeling that forces me to re-read it so many times. I have always had a great respect for Native Americans, but knew very little, if anything, about the Apaches. Carter helped to alleviate some of that, even though the book is listed as fiction. It gave me the extreme basics of what the Apaches went through, and how amazing Geronimo really was. The book does paint an extremely dishonest portrait of the U.S. Government, as well as the Mexicans. But, let's be honest, our government didn't really give us much to be proud about. Unfortunately, much of what Carter writes about is true. In short, Forrest Carter was an oustanding writer, and Watch For Me On The Mountain is an outstanding book. Hands down.

Part history book, and biography, I found this book to give a complex view of Geronimo which would be hard to convey otherwise. Mr. Carter did a good job of being objective, while not losing the unknown factor of myth in Geronimo's life. A definitive biography at the same time, for an elusive historical figure.

This book just grabs you from the moment you open it and you cannot put it down. I don't know when I've read a book that left such a lasting impression. You get a completely different perspective of "how the West was won". You feel as if you are there walking beside our Native Americans of the past and seeing through their eyes. Geronimo comes alive as the story unfolds. Awesome!

This book is extremely strong, touching, beautiful, realistically painful and raw in description of the historical facts.It is a book that i will never forget, and one of few books i most probably will read again. The historical character of Geronimo is fascinating. A warrior, a killer, AND a deeply spiritual man. A shaman with power to call on spirits of nature for help. I diagree totally with the reviewer below who claims the descriptions of anglosaxicans to be negative stereotype. I just read the book and was moved by the few incidents of friendships and respect between whites and natives. That a many anglosaxicans and mexicans had no human consideration for or respect for the indians is a historical fact. Frankly, in my view, there is still an issue today in the US, among a conservative minority, which speaks of incredibly stupidity, bloodthirst and greed, and of thinking - like religious sects - "us and them". This "philosophy" is the darkest sideeffect of the most rigid and dualistic christanity, and has nothing to do with pure religious feeling. It is sad that this model of "thought", that this tradition has been "in the seat" of the nation for a while now. It is the same forces that this books speaks of - forces of greed.

But speaking of the book again: Read it! - you will have your own experience of it. There is a lot to learn about history and authentic native spiritual understanding. It is filled with pain, beauty and painful beauty. My (lack of) demand of the english language cannot do it right!

This review is based on the norwegian translation.

This is a fascinating book, showing what was the spirit of Indians, through this war chaman that Geronimo actually was. It is a deep initiatic story, which could give birth to the best movie scenario about Indians. It changes forever the idea we have about Indians and gives us keys on our own spiritual path. I rate it on the 5 best books I read in my life, and I've read thousands, being a book reviewer in a French magazine.Read this

In addition to the same author's "The Education of Little Tree,"this is one of the best books about the Native American experience that I have read. As a teacher of Native American Traditions, with an extended family that includes relatives of Apache heritage, this book is very special to me. Forrest Carter touches places inside of the spiritual aspects that few writers can reach. His writing is not only historically accurate, it has a depth and poetry that is so moving. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a student of the Native American way.