Indian Yell: The Heart of an American Insurgency

Michael Blake has done it again. It was great to continue on from the end of "Dances With Wolves." I love these types of books because they don't just leave you and you don't have to wonder what happened to the characters in the future. I treasured every page. I love the Native American Indians and hope Michael will write more about some of the others tribes; I can't get enough of the history. "Dances With Wolves," the movie was wonderful and I watch wherever I see it on TV; wouldn't it be nice if they made "Indian Yell" into a movie?

This was a superb purchase....book as described...fast shipping...great seller...thanks so much....will buy from you again.....

A heartbreaking account of 19th century war crimes and genocide in the American west. This is not a liberal rant on the evils of America as you might expect. It is a collection of short historical treatises on key events in Indian-White relations of the 19th century. The events described shed new light on how zealots among private citizens, the military, and the state and federal governments used deception to genocide in dealing with American Indians. To truly understand the history of western expansion, one must face the reality of its cost. Mr. Blake has given us a concise and moving account of a side of history we would rather forget but must face to understand. It is one-sided, indeed. It is also true and long overdue.

Blake does a fine job stripping each of 12 encounters to its essence, introducing us to compelling characters Indian and White alike. The bonuses are two. First, each chapter ends with a recommended reading, most of which are new to me and most of which I will pursue. Second, Blake's writing invites the reader to visit the places where the battles occurred. The most intriguing of these is Palo Duro Canyon: "...the second largest canyon in the United States...Often plunging to depths of one thoudand feet, the canyon cuts finger-like across the Texas Panhandle for more than 100 miles. A river runs through its heart supporting life in multitudes..." see you there

These stories are told in a compelling narrative...not dry "history" but personal stories of the men (and women) who fought and died in the American West in twelve pivitol battles. I read it in one sitting. Fascinating. Michael Blake is a great storyteller.