Robert M. Utley (1929–2022)

Author Robert Utley contends Geronimo is the most famous Native American. That may well be true; nobody yells “Metacomet!” or “Tecumseh!” or “Crazy Horse!” when they jump out of an airplane. He also notes the progression of the Geronimo mythos; with him going from a bloodthirsty savage perpetrator of hideous cruelty to a brave warrior defending his homeland. As usual, the reality is more nuanced. Geronimo doesn’t seem to be that much more “savage” than other natives – or than the troops pursuing him; Utley claims the Chiricahua didn’t rape female captives – they just killed them outright. On at least two occasions, Geronimo’s raiders murdered a settler’s wife and children before his eyes – but then let the man go; no explanation is offered. Utley notes Geronimo was never a “chief” of the Chiricahua; a best he was a warband leader; and he wasn’t really defending his homeland. The basic problem seems to be the Chiricahua were not agriculturalists/hunters like the eastern Native Americans or bison-hunters like the plains natives; they were raiders, pure and simple, and would celebrate successful raids or seek solace after unsuccessful ones by getting drunk on tiswin, made from fermented maize. Utley’s discussion of tiswin benders first seemed racist – the old “drunken Indian” stereotype – but he makes the case that the tiswin drunks were an important part of the Chiricahua lifestyle, almost a religious celebration. Thus the Chiricahua just didn’t understand efforts to get them to stop raiding and drinking, because they didn’t know how to do anything else,
This is a remarkably thorough study of Geronimo’s life as a raider and war leader; Utley notes Geronimo was considerably more complicated that people like Sitting Bull, Dull Knife, Crazy Horse, Santana or other native leaders and suggests he was more interested in himself than in his people; Utley makes the point he wasn’t very popular with other Chiricahua.
Geronimo displayed an almost uncanny ability to escape from American and Mexican military until the Americans adopted the method that had been successful in other Indian wars – using Indian scouts to track him down. After his final capture, he was put on display at various expositions and events around the country (always under military escort); he seemed to enjoy these, expressing interests in things like automobiles and motion pictures, and earning money from sales of “autographed” artifacts.
A good read. Well referenced, a plate section with numerous appropriate photographs, and good maps.… (more)