The Apache Wars: The Hunt for Geronimo, the Apache Kid, and the Captive Boy Who Started the Longest War in American History

The Apache Wars:...reminds me of Empire of the Summer Moon, another great history of frontier life dealing with the Comanche nation and an expanding Texas. The Apache Wars takes place further west over the several decades leading up to the mid-1890s. Living it as a participant on either side was a harrowing and violent experience where death (and possibly a gruesome death) could come out of the cottonwoods at any moment and where policy attempted to deal with a people writ large who were in reality a score of sub-tribes and family groups often fighting each other as well as Americans and Mexicans. It is possible to draw parallels to the American Experience in Vietnam. A military leadership both far away and on the scene who (with a few exceptions) didn't understand or sympathize with the other side. Boneheaded military decisions that put any peaceful resolution farther away rather than nearer. Attempts to pacify by telling natives where and how to live. A native combatant force that was mobile, fierce and hard to find most of the time. I hope interested readers keep with this book. The reality of the Apaches and the far flung American army posts that described the area were on both-sides semi-autonomous groups under the direct authority of local leaders. The number and strangeness of Apache sub tribe names and the names of individuals will probably be off putting to readers who expect to be able to keep players straight. If one accepts this book as more thematic by way of the collection of individual events and stories that describe the conflict, this works very well. I found it thoroughly engaging and fascinating as a history of a conflict largely forgotten. The writing is well done and quickly and effectively describes for the reader the types of experiences, key players, attempts to make policy and conflicts that make up the story of the end of the Apache's as controllers of their own destiny. A very good read I recommend.

Quand on aime cette période de l'histoire et sa région on a déjà, comme moi pas mal de livres sur le sujet, les classiques, Sweeney, Balls, Soennichen etc....Et ce dernier livre, bien écrit et documenté n'apporte rien de nouveau à ce que je sais de cette période, ce n'est qu'une compilation de ce que j'ai déjà lu....

If you like Western history, this is the book to get. The book gives you a full run down on the conflict between the Apaches and the Army, plus their hatred of Mexico. Well researched and written. A must

I loved it just as much as Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Very sad the broken promises of the government and army and murder of helpless women and children, and Apache children sold into slavery. Yes, the Apaches did terrible things in retaliation when their families and homelands were threatened. But there were some in the military and civilian life who tried very hard for the Indians to be treated fairly. Numerous people in authority who despised the Apaches grew to respect them and want to protect them when they had sustained contact with them.

For all who enjoy reading about the American west and its history this book is a must.Beautifully written well researched fast story lines telling an excellent story.loved it,the only gripe would be that there were not enough maps of the territory,but it is easy to look up on a map,essential so that you understand all of the area that was involved.