A Guide to the Indian Wars of the West (Bison Book) (Paperback)

by John D. McDermott (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From 1860 to 1890 the United States military engaged in war after war with the indigenous peoples of the West. Although numerous treaties recognized the rights of individual tribes, the U.S. government often did nothing to stop settlers from expanding into Indian territory. Some Indians fled, and others attempted to coexist with the newcomers, but many fought against the loss of homelands and traditional ways of life. Superior numbers, organization, and technology benefited the United States, yet Indian resistance was often skillful, heroic, and tenacious.

This informative work serves as a guide to the battlefields and fits the episodes into the larger historical drama. John D. McDermott, who has spent a lifetime researching the events, discusses the equipment, organization, and lifeways of the combatants. He explains circumstances underlying the encounters and analyzes the significance of events. This detailed guide also leads students, tourists, and history buffs to monuments, parks, museums, and other sources of information about the wars.

About the Author

John D. McDermott is a retired historian and administrator for the National Park Service and the Council on Historic Preservation. He is the author of Dangerous Duty: A Study of Outposts Protecting the Oregon Trail in the South Pass Area of Wyoming and Forlorn Hope: The Battle of White Bird Canyon and the Beginning of the Nez Perce War.

Product Details

• Paperback: 211 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080328246X
• ISBN-13: 978-0803282469
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,099,691 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll want to keep this as a reference., September 19, 1999

By	LaLoren - See all my reviews

I was introduced to this book after I had already done quite a bit of reading on the Indian Wars, and I was sorry that I had not found it earlier. It provides alot of basic information in a very readable format. I now keep this book on hand as a reference when I do any other reading on the subject. I had the privilege of meeting John McDermott this summer when he served as historian guide for a tour of the battlefields of the Sioux wars. It must have been very difficult for him to condense his vast knowlege of the Indian wars into this simplified format, but it works very well. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Indian wars, or someone who would just like an introduction into that period of American history.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book to Chart Your Tour or Get a Brief History, June 28, 2002

By	Daniel Hurley (Chesapeake, VA.) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book provides a concise historical perspective of the Indian Wars of the West with the second section providing sites of interest based on geographical location. There is a lot of detail on the different tribes, their geographic locations and differences, their relations with the "whites", lifestyles of Native Americans, lifestyle of the soldiers, weapons of each and a review of literature, movies and TV shows on the West. Reminds me of a lot of Robert Utley mixed in with Paul Hutton's Custer Reader.

The second part organizes points of historical interest geographically and by tribal history detailing what you will see (actual structures or replica and scenery) and a mini biography of the site. This book is a great companion for touring since you can organize what you want to see easily since the sites are organized by states and region. For example, if I were in Colorado, one of my goals would be to see Brent's Fort particularly if I was there during the annual rendezvous. How great to not only see Fort Apache if you are in Arizona but also to be able to detour to Cochise's Stronghold.

I just wish the text had pictures of the tour sites or a portion of them and an index. It's a modest book of 200 pages but a walloping amount of information. It's also a great reference for further reading.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much, Much More than a Travel Guide, May 30, 2000

By	T. C. Ross (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

John McDermott has done a fantastic job with this book. The first half is a wonderful in-depth look at life on the frontier during the 1800s that goes back and forth with comparisons of the living conditions, clothing, social beliefs, etc., of Native Americans and the whites who were moving through/into the West. The second half gives a good overview of sites of historic interest, museums, battlefields and more. The one thing I found frustrating (and I can't think of a good solution McDermott could have employed) is that the "guide" section of the book does include some good history information, too: It seems that these instances were included in the second half of the book to discuss localized events that might have seemed out of place in the more generalized first half of the book.