Geronimo: My Life (Native American)

I'm not finished reading it yet but it's very good so far

This book is a classic for a reason. If you have any interest in the west, or in American history viewed from another perspective, check it out. Geronimo fought hard for his land and his people, and the author had to ask the President of the United States for permission to publish this story, which would have been jaw-dropping a couple of years ago. Buy a hard copy before it is memory-holed.

Just finished reaidng "Geronimo My Life." The great Apache chief told his life story to S.M. Barrett the Oklahoma School Superintendent. Barrent had petitioned President Teddy Roosevelt to let Geronimo tell his story from the indians' point of view, which Roosevelt embraced. It was fascinating to read it all from this perspective. It also revealed much about the culture and thinking of the Apache people. I grew up in Southern California on stories of Geronimo, Cochise, and Victoria. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Historically valuable but should be read in the context of other accounts both contemporary and modern. Some of Geronimo's description of events agree with other witnesses and some do not. Those that don’t may often be a matter of view physical viewpoint. Some may be self serving. For example, Geronimo’s negative view of Crook’s honesty and fair dealing is 180 degrees opposite from statements by other Indian leaders of the day. It is also worth noting that even today there mixed views regarding Geronimo within the Apache community - to some he is a heroic figure but to others a irresponible trouble maker who harmed his own people.The first chapter is a puzzle to me. It is a creation myth/legend, but it bears no resemblance to any other version of the Apache creation myth that I have read. “Dragon”? Perhaps that refers to Quetzalcoatl, but if so, that would be an import from Mezoamerican/Mexican sources. Apaches are part of the Athabascan cultural group that migrated from Canada a century or two before Columbus set sail. In that context, “The boy’s name was Apache” makes no sense at all. “Apache” is an exonym processed phonetically through Spanish. “The boy’s name was Dine’ “ would have had greater credibility. My point here is that I can’t help wonder how much of the account BS fed to a susceptible white recorder, S.M. Barrett.Finally, I note a gap in the timeline of the narrative. It jumps from events in the 1860’s to the 1880’s. Perhaps nothing interesting happened to Geronimo in the 70’s. Perhaps Cochise so dominated that period that Geronimo felt himself an insignificant player.

I give it a five because it is written by Geronimo himself. If you want to know his whole story you must read several different books. But, after reading those books, it is very interesting to read what he wanted us to know. It says a lot about him. I've been reading about most, if not all of the most famous and influential native chiefs. He was the most bad *** of them all. He truly lived up to his hype just by being who he was. Inspiring and an example to how soft we are in the modern days!!

Glad this book exists, there's only a few published autobiographies of US indigenous so I think this is a valuable account, however I would read this piece alongside others in the topic. Naturally, Geronimo is going to present himself in the best possible light, as anyone would when writing/dictating their autobiography, so it's good to take in other sources. Still an interesting and important perspective. I read this for an episode of my podcast, Hard Fried History.

Enjoyed this book from Geronimo's point of view.

Geronimo tells his life story, by permission of Teddy Roosevelt, who Geronimo sent a letter to, requesting a chance to address Whitemen, and tell them what it was to be Apache, and what had been done to his people, and how he became that sour faced man on the cover. The tone is straightforward, never seeking to influence the reader's opinion of the author; he uses direct language, translated in the moment by a chief's son and transcribed by a journalist. What he tells you is the truth, as he sees it and his vision is very clear, starting where it all began, when the world was made, and ending not that many pages later with him, Geronimo, great warrior, surrendering for his people's sake and living out his days in a sort of old west Guantanamo, a prisoner of the Indian wars.It is amazingly current. I highly recommend the book.

Written as told by Geronimo, the history of the USA is re-written from this Native American's perspective. Very small book but interesting reading. I went on to purchase Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, which covers much more of the dreadful treatment the Native Americans received from the so called 'civilised' whites.

Excellent Read...!

A good book, written very much as I could imagine Geronimo speaking, to S. M. Barret, in his native dialect and subsequently translated by him. The book therefore provides an account of Apache life, betrayals and , at times, a brutal period of American history.

Excellent true story told about a misunderstood beautiful race of people. A lot of lives were lost due to inconsistent messages.

Found some of it to be lacking but liked it all the same having much knowledge about the man that give president Roosevelt hell.