Jacob Hamblin, Mormon Apostle to the Indians

This book could have been a lot more interesting if it had just stayed to the historical account of Jacob Hamblin--Mormon Apostle/Ambassador to the Indians--or if it had tried to portray Jacob Hamblin in a more multi-dimensional light...because Jacob Hamblin wasn't perfect, even though this book would have you think so. Jacob Hamblin was a pioneer Mormon of the Colorado Plateau, and the story is that while Hamblin and a group of other Mormons were about to attack a band of hostile Indians, none of the group's guns would fire correctly, even when the Indians were right in front of them. Shortly after that, Jacob Hamblin supposedly had a revelation that told him if he never thirsted for the blood of the Indians, they would not have the power to take his life. And no Indian ever did either, or even hurt him, and Jacob Hamblin became the Mormons' key to settling among the Indians; he also helped with John Wesley Powell's second expedition down the Colorado River. Hamblin's peaceful demeanor, his ALMOST never-failing honesty, and his genuine kindness to the Indians, as well as people's belief in the special protection that God seemed to have given him, earned him the respect and cooperation of almost everyone he encountered. This book is enjoyable if you're really into Southwest history--but it's not really history...and it's not really that good.