Once They Moved Like The Wind : Cochise, Geronimo, And The Apache Wars Paperback – July 19, 1994

This book is so heartbreaking that I cried through the entire reading of the book. Everyone needs to know the history of the Native American Indians and how wrong they were treated. I strongly believe this book should be put in the public school curriculum for children to learn in high school history.

This is a fascinating and well written account of the Apache and their war against whites and Mexico from the 1860's to their total loss of freedom that ends with Geronimo and his final band's surrender and incarceration. Roberts writes in a very readable and flowing style providing insights and first hand quotes from both sides of the conflicts. He also gives you both sides of any controversy, particularly letting the reader know the veracity of individuals with conflicting statements, which is very refreshing. Roberts is able to clearly differentiate between the different tribes that were identified generically as Apache and he presents a fascinating history involving the many chiefs that led their people during the conflict. The author covers extraordinary well the different chiefs and their roles, such as the great Cochise (Chokonen), Mangas Colorado (Chihenne), Victoria (Chihenne), Juh (Nednhi), Nana (Chihenne) and of course the infamous warrior Geronimo (Bedonkohe). The biographies and retelling of events are so descriptive and thorough that you get a genuine feel for the main characters, the conditions of the mountains and deserts and the people, white, Mexican and Indian. The first chapter starts with Lt. Bascom's ill-fated effort to retrieve a child by holding hostages from the wrong tribe, Cochise's, which sets up a violent war against the whites and a distrust that lasts for decades. That, among several failures such as consolidating reservations and the killing of a medicine man (similar to the killing of Sitting Bull just a few years later), substantiates the Apache distrust of whites. The brutality between parties is evenly told by Roberts as women and children suffer during American and Mexican attacks on Apache villages while the violence towards whites, particularly Mexicans who the Apache loathe, is hard to fathom particularly towards the isolated ranchers and their young children. And the killing and torture is in extreme brutal fashion fueling hatred and fear among the Arizona population. One Apache explains the violence as emanating from a deep hated associated with the violent deaths of their own people by their enemies. Perhaps the best example of this is by when a chief eats lunch with his best white friend and then calmly executes him after dinner demonstrating his severance from trusting whites. Besides the Apache, Roberts covers the agents from the successful but slighted Jeffords to the young egocentric Clum called "strutting turkey" by the Apache to the various Generals that tried their hand in subduing the "renegade Apache", Stoneman, Howard, Crook and Miles. The eccentric Crook is most successful utilizing Apache scouts to go deep into the mountains of the difficult and isolated Sierre Madre to track Geronimo but he is finally undermined publicly by Geronimo's frequent escapes and changes of heart. Thankfully, Roberts recognizes the role of Lt. Gatewood who finally brings Geronimo's band in as the self centered General Miles provides Gatewood no record of accomplishment. At the end, Roberts provides details on the Chirichua's long imprisonment and isolation and Geronimo's post capture history, he with withstood numerous bullets living to an amazing 85. This is the best book on the Apache fight for independence, it is an exciting book to read and one of my all time favorites.

David Robert's account of the final stages of the Apache Wars in Arizona, New Mexico and Northern Mexico presents the history in very balance and even handed manner detailing atrocities on both sides. The small bands of Apaches led by leaders like Cochise , Geronimo and Nana fought a remarkable guerilla style war against obviously much better equipped and larger forces and their story is well documented given that many of the participants survived well into the 20th century.The Apache's superior knowledge of the landscape and the ability to find places of refuge deep in the mountains enabled them to hold out against significant odds yet the narrative has a sense of inevitability about it as their numbers dwindle and both the US and Mexican government continue to apply greater resources to the effort.In the end Robert's book indicates the importance of a handful of Apache leaders who through force of character inspired a relatively small number of followers to persevere and fight on. At times the often cruel and sometimes idiotic behavior of the army might have inspired them alone but his point of view is that without these individuals this history may have played out very differently.

This book is a masterpiece in research and insight! It is a no holds barred look into the workings of both the Apache, the "Blue Coats" and the circumstances they found themselves in. If your a history buff, or a lover of the Apache way, then this book is a must. Sometimes it is graphic, but the author takes pains to help you understand why certain incidents and behaviors occurred. He also explains differences within the tribal bands, their chiefs and what made them tick. Insight is given into the alliances within these factions or bands. And that these alliances were formed to overcome the obstacles and hardships the Apache faced. Confusion, racism, and fear among the white eyes, coupled with indecision from the great white fathers in Washington exacerbated the situation. A point that stuck with me is a lack of compassion or understanding of why the different bands wanted to live in certain areas, or couldn't accept living on a reservation that wasn't in a geographical location they were used to. The government in all its supposed wisdom was blind to certain things that could have made a peaceful co-existence with the white citizens much easier, and faster. I would have liked to have seen more information about Lozen the woman Apache warrior who was known to have special powers as did Geronimo. However there is some information on her. The author also points out discrepancies in stories and why some may not be as reliable due to bias and other reasons. This is a book that is rather intricate with lots of pages. I read a little each night and savored every moment. It is a book that you will go back to, or read again because of the fact there is so much information.

Author Dan Jones writes about the Apache, American story in a fair minded, compelling, understandable and entertaining way. This western narrative is replete with larger than life characters that come to life on the pages. In the end you will come to know the Apache American experience better and empathize more deeply with the profound enormity of the Apache loss. A worthy historical topic and great read.

Purchased for my son for his birthday - I asked him for a list of things he would like for birthday's and Christmas which makes life easier and also still can be something of a surprise - and he was delighted. My son is notoriously difficult to buy presents for as he generally buys whatever he wants as a rule, which poses a real problem at times, but at least "the list" gives us all some chance!My son has told me how appalling the American's treatment of the Native Americans of the United States truly was. This subject has always been of great interest to him as history is probably his reading material of choice, and he has always retained a minor fascination with the North American Indian tribes in particular.Anyway, my son has reported back he thoroughly enjoyed a well written, acceptably objective, very informative and fascinating overall read. To be honest, I had thought there was virtually nothing my son had not already read on this subject, so it was a pleasant surprise to learn I could purchase him a present I knew he would enjoy.Highly recommended.

Ich kann mich den Vorrezensenten nur anschließen. Tolle Arbeit, sehr detailgetreue Darstellung der Ereignisse. Wenn man so ziemlich alles über die Vorgänge während der sogenannten Apachen-Kriege wissen will, sei dieses Buch wärmstens empfohlen. Es umfasst allerdings nur die letzten Jahre dieses Konflikts, etwa ab der Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts bis zur Kapitulation Geronimos 1886. Aber diese Zeitspanne wird bestens aufbereitet. Wahrscheinlich auch deshalb, weil für diese Zeit deutlich mehr geschichtliche Quellen zur Verfügung stehen, als für die Jahre davor. Trotzdem, unbedingt lesenswert, auch wenn das Buch nur auf Englisch erhältlich ist, wie allerdings die Meisten derartigen Bücher. Aber nur Mut, es ist zu bewältigen und es lohnt sich wirklich!

Probs one of the best books I have ever read in my life. Every person needs to read this book of true history

This book gives a detailed and historically accurate account of this particular conflict . It reads however like a thriller intermixed with travelogue . The author brings the great characters of the War to life and paints pictures of the important sites involved , from battles to hunting grounds , that truly leave the reader imagining the dirt beneath his feet. Rarely has a writer so immersed me in a story that by the end I was genuinely swallowing back a tear or two. The haunting last paragraph describing some of the sites , crucial to the Apache people , standing today empty and desolate, is worth the read alone. I cannot recommend this book enough , the brutality from both sides locked in a fight to the death is not skimmed over and there is no rose tinted retrospection here!. The removal of a people from their land , their ethnic cleansing , in modern parlance , is a distressing and haunting read. Buy this book , if you have a heart , you will be moved!.

absolutely tremendous, heart wrenching', sad,