A DISTANT TRUMPET

by Paul Horgan ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Paul Horgan once again lays claim to a thorough knowledge and profound understanding of our infant Southwest territory- in this case Arizona, the Mexican border and the last efforts of the government and the army to settle the Apache troubles. The story revolves around an isolated, undermanned, ill equipped desert army post. The cast consists of the commanding officer, Colonel Prescott, his subalterns Mainwaring and Hazard, their respective wives, an Apache scout, and a scattering of non-coms and privates. They have their own skirmishes, their abortive romances, and among the wives, a small drama played out to a somewhat gallant end. But mainly this deals with the conflict between the firm conviction of the almost legendary General Quait- that the Apaches could be won by trust and faith- and the belief of the majority that the only good Indian is a dead Indian. Quait has his setbacks, but in the long run, with the backing of officers like Prescott and Hazard, his belief is justified. It is a revealing story, rewarding but overlong, which ends on a cynical note regarding our American-Indian affairs.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Cudahy

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1960

Categories: FICTION