As a lifetime Westerner and Civil War buff, I can't say enough good about this book. It covers the major issues and events of a war that stretched over great distances. While there weren't that many people living in the West at that time, Josephy shows us how the events of the Civil War shaped what the West would become.

This is a good reference for the participation of many then-territories (now states), for just about all battles in the Trans-Mississippi theatre, for the participation of Native tribes on both sides, and for the social impact of the war in areas where there was little or no actual fighting. It is rounded out by well-done maps with an elegant feel.

A definite for your Civil War library, particularly if the Western view is of interest.

Josephy does an excellent job of giving the broad overview of the Civil War in the American West. From paroled Confederates fighting Native Americans in the upper Mid West to a Confederate attempt to take California to the many battles in the bayous of Louisiana, Josephy tells in a riveting fashion the story of those men who fought so far from the better-known battlefields of the East.

The biggest flaw with the book -- and some might consider it a feature -- is that the reader is likely to be left wanting more information. In tackling as large a swath of time and geography as Josephy has, it is inevitable that readers will find them looking for additional sources of information on the U.S. West in the 1860s.

Mr. Josephy is 84 years old but this personal account of his "walk", which takes him from the sidewalks of NYC to the mountains of Oregon, from the nineteens to the nineties, is more contemporary and intriguing than any of the more high profile accounts of the 20th century recently published.

I'm a big fan of the author's, having read his books about the American Indians (Josephy does not call them "Native Americans") and their struggles. An Indian friend of mine credits him -- by exposing their plight through the articles he wrote in the 1950's and 1960's in Life and Time magazines -- as being the individual most influential in changing the perception of the Indian in this country.

But the book is about much more than that. Like an intellectual Forrest Gump, Josephy witnessed and participated in much of America's history this century. He begins as a kid on the west side of NYC, goes to Harvard briefly then leaves because of the depression. Gets a job in the 30's as a screenwriter at MGM and as he travels by bus to California, he witnesses the exodus of the dust bowl families and becomes committed to helping the less fortunate of this country. And he does.

He works as a journalist for newspapers, magazines, radio, the Marine Corps; interviews Trotsky, tapes the invasion of Guam as a WW2 Marine sergeant war correspondent as the enemy is firing on him...and receives a bronze star, fights for Indian recognition and rights, helps change the U.S. environmental policies, works for JFK, marches with Martin Luther King...

His is such a fascinating account that it makes history personal and alive. We should all read this not only for the facts of our past, but also for the example Mr. Josephy has set. The "lesson" that much can be accomplished by one person with courage who cares would be well learned by schoolchildren and adults of all ages. I recommend this book to each of them.

There have been several 20th century retrospectives published recently by high profile authors, but none as fascinating as "A Walk Toward Oregon" by Alvin Josephy. Here's a book written by a man that has "walked the walk" from NYC to the west coast -- from the early part of the 20th century to present day -- with stops in Mexico and the WW 2 Pacific along the way.

Mr. Josephy's personal account and participation in some of the most significant events of the 20th century reads like a novel, yet informs like no history book I've ever read. His account of the streets of NYC as a kid in the early 1900's; trying to find a job during the depression (he did...selling stamps in Macy's); interviewing Trotsky as a young reporter; taping the invasion of Guam as a Marine sergeant; writing for Time and Life about the American Indians and changing the public's perception of their plight; serving with Kennedy; marching with MLK; and on and on. Yet it's easy to read and fascinating.

I think "A Walk Toward Oregon" should be at the top of reading lists for schools and book groups. I enthusiastically recommend it!

Lame deer pulls no punches and tellyou how it was and how it is. I wish I could have met him in person. He teachings are carried on through others that he has taught.

With Indian Self-Rule, Kenneth R. Philp has assembled a compendium of first-hand accounts of twentieth-century relations of and between Native Americans and various state and federal administrations. Indian Self-Rule is divided into four major parts: The Indian New Deal; Termination; Toward Self-Determination; and Indian Self-Rule In The Past And The Future, and is enhanced further with a "List of Contributors", Bibliography, and an index. Each of the twenty-four essays comprising Indian Self-Rule are models of scholarship and together comprise a significant, seminal, and highly recommended addition to Native American studies reference collections, curriculums, and reading lists.

When you talk about the Civil War the war in the "West" means everything between Northern Virginia and the Mississippi River. However, keeping in mind that the city of Vicksburg was on the eastern banks of the Mississippi, this volume in the Time-Life Civil War series looks at what happened on the other side of the great river, what is characterized here as the "War on the Frontier." Having lived in New Mexico I had some knowledge of a few encounters between Confederate and Union troops in the state, but had little idea how far this side show of the war went, extending from Arizona to Minnesota. Consequently, this volume is a fascinating look at some of the war's most inconsequential battles.

Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., covers a lot of time and territory in the five chapters of this volume: (1) Frustration in New Mexico details how the Confederacy wanted to grab the American Southwest, interested primarily in the gold mines and the sea ports of California. However, this effort really did not get beyond the New Mexico Territory (a pictorial essay at the end of this chapter talks about what was happening in Mexico during the American Civil War); (2) Red River Odyssey covers the Union campaign following the victory at New Orleans to invade Texas and force the Confederates to divert forces; (3) Minnesota's Season of Terror is interesting because it tells how Union forces there had to deal with an uprising of Sioux Indians, a reminder how that part of the country was still the edge of the nation's frontier (the pictorial essay for this chapter offers primitive paintings by John Stevens of the Sioux uprising); (4) A Merciless Campaign of Suppression covers other military campaigns against the Indians during the Civil War, most notably the attack on the Cheyenne village at Sand Creek, Colorado; and (5) A Clash of Uneasy Alliances focuses on those Indians who actively fought with one side or the other during the Civil War, such as those at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas and Westport, Missouri. Here we learn of Confederate General Albert Pike, who insisted the Indians his troops fought with be treated as equals so that they would know they were fighting for themselves.

I would imagine that no other volume in this series provides as much new information as "War on the Frontier." The cover illustration is a bit deceptive, but if you look behind the charging Confederate cavalry you will see Indians attacking the Union position as well. The historic photographs and etchings are also ones most Civil War buffs will never have seen before. Certainly Josephy has done a solid job of providing a detailed look at what the Civil War was like in the real "west."

For an interesting journey through Guam and Iwo Jima from the perspective of a correspondant who wasn't supposed to be in the thick of war, but wound up there all the same, this is a worthy title. Though lacking in the blood and guts impact of other titles like Bradley's "Flags of our Fathers," the writing in this book is simple but commendable, very readable for anyone with a lay interest in the war or for someone with a more astute fascination. This is by no means a remarkabley unique memoir account of the war, but it is one of the better written and appropriate for a lay read I have found. Not meant for research by any means, but suitable for entertainment or the development of familiarity, I would recommend Josephy's work.

Mr. Josephy has written an outstanding account of the battles for Iwo Jima and Guam during WW II. The book was written shortly after the war and has an updated foreword. I learned a lot of facts about the campaigns that I didn't know. I also saw how the cultural prejudice of the time colored his writing and the attitudes of those involved in the conflict. It was a fast, compelling read. Literally, one of those "I can't put it down until I'm done" stories. I have loaned it to friends who said the same thing. Don't miss this one if you are a fan of WW II lore, especially personal accounts.

This is a wonderfully illustrated history of the Indian nations of North and Central America, From pre-Columbian times to the present. The text is straight forward and easy to read. The entire book is illustrated with rare and enticing paintings, photos, and drawings which help to recreate a powerful history of an ancient people. 500 Nations covers the history of the prehistoric peoples, the arrival of Columbus and the conquest of the New World. It shows how the world of the North American Indians was changed by growing contact with white traders and how, in the end, their world was entirely overwhelmed by the powerful drive of Manifest Destiny. This is definately meant as an introduction to the subject and thus does not delve deeply into the the meat of the matter, but it is still well worth the price for anyone interested in the history of our land and its original inhabitants.

I love my copy of this book and read it often. It is very informative, sensitive, and beautifully illustrated. You know: this book would make a perfect college graduation or birthday present, because the recipient will dip into it every now and again, enjoyably, for ever.

Throughout my days in school, prior to college, the history classes taught me a sugar coated version of what happened in our history. Obviously, history is indeed written by the victors, and most likely, the version will be slanted towards making the ones in charge look good. This book did not focus on an anthropological study, but rather the effects of the Europeans upon the many tribes. In almost all cases, the effect was horrific for the native tribes. If you want to know what injustices were done to the Native Americans by historical figures such as Columbus, for example, read this book. It is not easy to read, but it does open your eyes to how this country came to be.

This book has one over-riding theme repeated constantly: The White Man is always wrong and the Indian is and has always been an innocent victem. I won't list details, but the lack of objectivity and obvious implications to the promote the theme are insulting. Although the book may contain some valuable and useful facts about Native Americans and their lifestyles, it is impossible to determine how authentic any of them are due to the overt propaganda that is being constantly asserted.

A beautiful book that pleases the mind and eyes. Very authoritative and full of historical and anecdotal information relating to the Native Americans. Begins with pre-Columbus and continues through the ages to the 90's. A must read for anyone interested in Native american culture and history. The photographs and illustrations are priceless and well worth the price of the book. Add this to your history collection, younsters enjoy browsing at the wonderful prints of paintings and illustrations. An easy read whose pictures entertain and captivate the imagination.

How does one tactfully review this book? I'm sure the author thought he was doing important and benevolent work and honestly believed everything he wrote. The guy founded the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian and penned various books on American history. But I haven't read those other books, and won't after reading this mess. Blunt perhaps, but it's important that we recognize it for what it is. Simply put, "The Patriot Chiefs" is a collection of Stories where the past is told from the point of view of the conqueror and understood through the memory and mindset of non-indians. Add to this bias a focus on Heroes over people, and the result is little more than the perpetuation of American mythology rather than a book that can be taken seriously and sheds any historical light on its subjects. But then, this is a book about Leaders and not about peoples and Josephy has stories to tell. Right away, he sets the tone in his forward: "These men were, to the Indians, 'good and brave men,' their Nathan Hales, George Washingtons and Benjamin Franklins." Framing his context as such, he is now completely free to discard the perspective of the very men he highlights: "Since no white man was present in Hiawatha's day to provide in white men's terms a contemporary account of his life, the telling of his story today rests greatly on an acceptance of [Smithsonian ethnologist] Hewitt's work in determining where Indian imagery shrouded fact, and where it was simply myth." [p. 11] Josephy makes it clear that the Indians' account is not credible, not even one that can be considered, as it takes a white "expert" to tell the true story of the Indian. He's just getting warmed up.

Soon he attacks: "Even more genius, however, can be credited to the humanitarian Iroquoian conceptions of brotherhood and peace, for they were devised and achieved by Deganawidah and Hiawatha for Stone Age savages before the coming of the white man, and they are still earnestly yearned for by the parliaments and United Nations of twentieth-century humanity." [p. 29] Throughout, the author hurls insults and unapologetically proclaims that, except for a select few heroes, Indians were backward, primitive, violent savages. For example, "From the imperialistic war of the white men Pontiac emerged as he had entered it, a forest warrior who drank the blood and ate the hearts of brave enemies to acquire their courage... In addition, he was a natural-born political leader who might have risen high among white men if he had been born in a civilized society. Unlike most natives, he could think in terms of long-range strategy and could plan and act decisively not for the moment alone but for the achievement of large and distant aims." [p. 99] Or, "[The Ottawas] had by now changed materially from the weak and primitive people whom the French had first met a century before...." [pp. 103-104] Or, "It was the genius of Tecumseh that he, alone among all the natives, saw what was now required. ...As the greatest Indian nationalist...." [p. 136] Or try "...with diplomatic astuteness not often displayed by an Indian" [p. 116]

But it's not just the racist tones that make this a poor book. It's inaccurate. For starters, the book ignores actual Indian names for places, tribes and individuals in favor of the conqueror's. "Tecumseh's real name was Tecumtha... White men pronounced it Tecumseh..." [p. 137] Needless to say, that's the only time we see the name Tecumtha.

His writing is often sloppy, deteriorating into absurd and contradictory passages. At one point he informs us that "Against the whites the Indians used tactics of fighting that were traditional in the conflicts of the New World natives, but were hideous and inhumane to the Europeans" [p.52] yet three sentences later he writes "And yet the English, scarcely emerged from the barbarism of their own Middle Ages in Europe, were quick to accept the no-quarter savagery of absolute racial war, and to retaliate in kind." [p. 52] and goes on describing three grisly acts: "In a final gesture the whites themselves sent Canonchet's head to the Connecticut authorities at Hartford." [p. 58], "In triumph the colonists took her head to Plymouth and mounted it on a pole." [p. 60], and "Evidently the troops decapitated and quartered the sachem's body and carried his head back to Plymouth, where it was stuck on a pole and remained on public display for 25 years."[p. 62]. In another tale: "After the Indian's death, he [Doctor Weedon] cut off Osceola's head and kept it as a souvenir in his own home, hanging it occasionally on the bedstead where his sons slept whenever he wished to punish them for their misbehavior." [p. 208]

Or, how does one interpret the sentence, "The troopers broke into wild flight, with every man for himself, and the Indians whooped and howled after them, cutting them down as they would a herd of fleeing buffalo." [p. 199] Josephy is writing fiction; he has tales to spin. Truth and reality only get in his way: "...his [Pope] story gains its fullest perspective only when seen as the climax of the larger and more romantic narrative of his own people." [p. 68]

The author leaves out too much detail in interests of "romantic narrative". Failing to mention atrocities inflicted on the slaughtered at Sand Creek, when he tells us in a later battle that "The Indians attacked them [Carrington's and Fetterman's troops] savagely, bashing in their heads and mutilating their bodies." [p. 283], the entire context and motives of the warriors is missing, and again, the author retains his savages, essential to his spin. By the epilogue he has the courage to type this strange phrase "...the so-called massacre of Wounded Knee in December 1890..." [p. 343]

Skip this book. It might have significance some day for deconstruction of the American myth and ills of modern man, but it won't help you understand the Native American.

"The Patriot Chiefs" is an excellent biographical sketch of nine American Indian leaders. This book was stirring to the soul of this non-American Indian reader. The men profiled here fit every definition of true patriotism. Although most of their noble causes ended in treachery, the ability and courage of these men was absolutely incredible. The celebrated patriots of the American Indian cause were equals to the John Hancocks, Patrick Henrys and Thomas Jeffersons of the Eurocentric history taught today. This book should be a required read for all students of American History. The "Patriot Chiefs" history is truly American.