GERONIMO: The Fighting Apache

by Ronald Syme ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 12, 1975

syme glosses over the Apache predilection for cattle and horse raiding, preferring such generalities as ""it was a black period of history for both the white men and the Indians."" And in contrast to Wilson's 1973 biography, he deals gently with the older Geronimo who was corrupted by drink as well as hatred. This is nevertheless the most detailed (at the juvenile level) exposure of the white policies that amounted to genocide -- from the vacillating and self-serving dictates of Washington on down to their implementation by dishonest, scheming scouts like Al Sieber, Mickey Free and corrupt civilian agents. It thus seems pointless to fault Syme for his tendency to idealize Geronimo, when the record of his persecution makes him a tragic hero in any case -- and once again Syme uses the testimony of contemporaries, particularly The Truth About Geronimo as told by his former adversary Lt. Britton Davis, to telling effect.

Pub Date: March 12, 1975

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 94

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1975

Categories: NONFICTION