Chief Joseph & the Flight of the Nez Perce - The Untold Story of an American Tragedy

Very well written. Quite detailed and was a joy to read. Living is the Northwest it was a part of history I was really not aware of. This is a book that everyone should read and come to terms with how we treated the Native Americans.

While this book doesn't add much information about Chief Joseph that students of the Nez Perce don't already know, it presents an accurate picture of the 1877 Nez Perce War. The author places too much emphasis on the fact that Chief Joseph was merely a camp chief thrust by circumstances into history. This has been well accepted for some time. Still, for the new comer to this saga, this is as good a place to start as any. The notes at the end help explain where the author is coming from and are worth reading. And that's from someone who more often that not skips those notes!

Very good documentation of the flight of the Nez Perce Indians with the US Gov't giving chase. It was compelling reading and interesting to learn about the characteristics and values of Chief Joseph. Enjoyed it.

This should be read by everyone who cares what happened to the original caretakers of this country! It is written with such heart and soul and gives a whole perspective to this part of history that is so overlooked and denied.
A book to read and reread.

This a decent book and it seems to effectively debunk the myth that Chief Joseph was a Native American Napoleon. My problem with the book is the writer's varying POV: when writing about the native Americans, his vocabulary and syntax almost seem to mimic the way he imagines those people spoke during the events in question. This may be interesting but it seems an excessive manifestation of political correctness. If the author were native American and this was his manner of speech, we would of course respect it. But, when speaking about White settlers, he goes into a vocabulary and syntax that he imagines the white settlers spoke. This makes the entire book seem to be a narration, which is tiring. The facts in the book are fascinating. The writing is annoying and can divert attention from the facts. A fascinating story, not well written.

“Chief Joseph and the Flight of the Nez Perce” the untold story of an American Tragedy by Kent Nerburn

This book is an absolute gem.

Nerburn’s great achievement here is that he gives the reader everything in “3-D” perspective. The characters are actually human and complete; the weather is palpably hot or dreary or delicious; the landscapes are lush, or dusty or bright; the dramas and feelings and quandaries are earnest. You feel you are actually with the Indians, or soldiers, in the middle of this astounding odyssey.
Yet another bonus for the reader is Nerburn’s ability to show how the indigenous Spirituality guided the Nez Pearce’s lives, thoughts and actions. In doing so Nerburn illustrates how misguided were the beliefs, actions and reactions of the White players in this incredible tragedy.
And the subtitle is correct. It is truly an American Tragedy. It is a saga beyond nearly all else in our national history. It should be taught in our schools.

This book is divided into 3 parts: 1) background, 2) the war of 1877, 3) the post-war years. Nerburn doesn't get bogged down in details of troop movements and other minutiae, but does a pretty good job of recounting the war. If this is your introduction to the Nez Perce war of 1877, perhaps this will whet your appetite for more in-depth scholarly studies. The real strength of this book is found in part 3 where Nerburn recounts the sad post-war years which generally receive only passing mention in most books that deal with the Nez Perce war. One fact becomes crystal clear in the reading of this part: this was very much a war pitting native religious beliefs against Christianity. Of course the Christians win, but the reader should keep in mind that cultural might does not make right. As Nerburn illustrates, the Nez Perce were cruelly starved, terribly mistreated and lied to -- all in an effort to break their will, weaken them spiritually, with the ultimate goal being conversion to Christianity. I guess some people just need a little extra help "seeing the light." [Please note my sarcasm.] It is very interesting to note that not one of the 23 reviews before mine mentions this Christian aspect of the book. As for Nerburn, he never lets the reader know where he stands on this topic, though I suspect he was against it. In any event, their treatment was truly disgusting.

Continuing, I would like to point out three other details about this book: There is an error/typo on p. 358 (May 1878 should read May 1879) and on pp. 121-122 Nerburn claims a brotherly relationship between two Indians that was new information to me and I am unsure of its accuracy. The last thing I want to point out is that there are no footnotes in this book though he does include a "Notes on the Sources" section which is pretty good. But due to the lack of footnotes, I'm left wondering where he received some of his details. And he frequently states things like "there were numerous deaths on the reservation" but never gives numbers (this is too vague and left me with an empty feeling). All in all, this book is a very good read and satisfactory introduction to the Nez Perces and their tragic war of 1877.

This book is undoubtedly to be rated five stars. However, be prepared, the book is a rather lengthy 400 pages. The American public has been led to believe that Joseph was THE leader of the Nez Perce while others, at times, had more influence than Joseph. General Oliver Howard gave the Nez Perce an unreasonable demand of moving to the reservation within 30 days or be put there by force. An ensuing chase from Oregon across Idaho, across Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming, and north into Montana terminated at the Bear's Paw Mountains in northern Montana. The Battle of the Big Hole in Idaho involving Colonel John Gibbon involved the indiscriminate killing of men, women, and children which reminded me of the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado. Gibbon stated in his report he killed 89 Nez Perce, but neglected to say that 50 of the dead were women and children. This infuriated the young Nez Perce who took revenge on any white settlers they came in contact with.

On Page 74 author Kent Herburn mentions that the Lakota Sioux "murdered" George Armstrong Custer and his men at the Little Big Horn. Herburn fails to mention that it was Custer and his men that did the attacking, and the Sioux and others were simply defending themselves.

Although a few of the Nez Perce did manage to go north to Canada following the surrender Joseph and most of the others gave up the fight with the understanding they would be returned to their original homeland. Incredible suffering began as they were transferred from one place to another from North Dakota and then south to Kansas and Oklahoma, but not to their beloved Wallowa Valley in Oregon. After eight years of suffering with the cold, heat, and insufficient food the remaining Nez Perce (less than 300 of the original 800) were split into two groups, some to the Wallowa Valley and others (including Joseph) to the Colville Reservation in Washington where Joseph died in 1904 still clinging to his traditional way of life.

I found the book to be a very detailed read, and it is a book you are going to have to have patience to stick with it. I believe it is the most comprehensive book yet written on the flight and plight of the Nez Perce Indians. This story is most certainly, as the book's cover states, "an American tragedy."

Having read several books about the Nez Perce (see my 'Listmania' lists), I wondered how this book would compare. I also wondered if reading again about this history that I already know quite well would turn out to be less engrossing this time around. Fortunately, this book measured up to my hopes. In fact, it is so well-written that I think I would recommend it as the best book for those who intend to read only one book on the subject. It seemed very accurate, yet not so detailed as to ever bog down. Personally, I would have preferred a little more detail about the locations and geography of the areas involved, but most readers will not be bothered by that. It was also short on the military strategies and aspects, which was fine with me.

The most unique part of this book was the final one third which describes the exile period of the non-treaty Nez Perce in much greater detail than any other work I have read. Overall, this is an easy-to-read, accurate, page-turning book.

I recently became aware of Kent Nerburn as an author, and it is a wonderful discovery! At his recommendation, I read this book first. I found this account of the "journey" of the Nez Perce to be powerful and tragic. Nerburn reveals the leadership of Chief Joseph to be that of a man intent on protecting and leading the people well. The duplicity and betrayal, time and again, of the various white agents involved in the story is an indictment of the highest order and raises the question as to why and how white people, throughout history, have felt the right to trod over other people's land, traditions, language, and customs. Toni Morrison recently commented that "race" is a social construct and that there is only one race - the HUMAN race. What Native Americans, in particular, have suffered and lost at the hands of the dominant power structure; what our nation, specifically, has lost by attempting to suppress other cultures rather than learn from them, is unimaginatively tragic. Reading this book provides a great insight into a part of our history as a nation that is less than stellar - but if we can't learn and change from our mistakes, then how are we to achieve the greatness that is inherent in our identity as a nation? I look forward to learning more from other Kent Nerburn books!

As one who has visited the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana on virtually an annual basis for almost 50 years, I recognize that by going to the physical source of his subject, Dr. Nerburn has captured the spirit of the Nez Perce saga. Past biographies of Joseph such as Beal, I Will Fight No More Forever: Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce War (1973), fail to disclose that he was hardly a Napoleonic war leader, but rather the caretaker of his tribe during their crisis. Similarly, earlier efforts to describe the Nez Perce fell short in explaining the importance of their Appaloosa horse breeding to tribal pride. As an owner of such equines, I understand how unique is that breed in terms of stamina and courage.

In short, the author, through his four years of meaningful interaction with the Nez Perce of today, coupled with intensive academic research of such record as exists of their history, has presented a fair, realistic portrayal of a veritable sin committed by the then government of our country, crying out for atonement even today.

Adrian P. Schoone

6220 Partridge Hills Dr.

Racine, WI 53406

I devoured this new book about Chief Joseph and even took notes on it...some inspiring things I wanted to remember, as well as some convicting things I must never forget. I have read other works about the Nez Perce and, in fact, I live in the Pacific Northwest and have visited many of the areas related to this part of history. But, I have never heard or read some of the things that Mr. Nerburn includes in his book. They are real and intimate and raw...and clearly tell "the rest of the story". I was sad when I finished it...like a very honest friend had to stop our very wonderful interaction. I will keep my copy and read it again and reference it often. I have read several of Mr. Nerburn's books...his voice resonates with my own. I highly recommend all of his work, but at this moment I would encourage everyone to get a fresh and vivid look at this man, Joseph, and his people by reading this book. You won't regret it.

I was given this book for Christmas because people know I am interested in Native America. I had read many books that talk about Chief Joseph and I thought I knew the story. What I want to know is how can so many books be so wrong? Almost every book talks about Joseph as the leader of the Nez Perce flight. Kent Nerburn shows the real story about how Joseph really took leadership only after the surrender.

This is really a book about the myth of the American Indian as much as about a historical figure. At least for me it showed me how we can turn a man into a myth to suit our needs.

I have never read a book quite like this. It reads like a novel. I felt like I was along with the Indians and the soldiers.

I also never knew about what happened to the tribe after they were captured. That story is really almost more interesting than the chase. Joseph really comes across as a man who knew what he was doing with how he used the newspapers and let himself be made into a hero.

This book is like a history and a tragedy and a novel all at once. It will entertain you and teach you and make you cry.

Please do not discount this review because I have chosen to submit it anonymously. I have done so for professional reasons.

I have been teaching about Chief Joseph for almost 20 years. I have always found it difficult to choose a text that can engage students while being historically accurate. "Chief Joseph and the Flight of the Nez Perce" has answered all my needs. It is the only book that students can read and follow while being fully absorbed in the story.

I am using it this semester and the students are so engaged that I called Mr. Nerburn and congratulated him on the work. He told me that he had worked very hard to keep the story "immediate and ground level." (his words). I took it to mean that the story unfolded in real time, like a novel, which it assuredly does.

As one who has studied this period for many years, I am astonished by the depth of the author's research. I am especially interested in the work he did about the period of exile. In all my years of study and teaching I had learned nearly nothing about this sad part of the story. Now I believe it is the part that causes everything about Chief Joseph to make sense.

If you are a teacher of college-level students who need a single book on the saga of Chief Joseph, I highly recommend this one. No other text comes close to this in its combination of readability and authority. If only there were more books of this quality about the interface of Indian and non-Indian cultures.

I emphatically disagree with the reviewer who says there is nothing new in this book. I have been studying Chief Joseph for years. I have even ridden in the annual Nez Perce trail ride. Nerburn's account is not only among the most readable, it is the only one I have ever found that continues on after the surrender. Can that reviewer honestly tell me that he knew about the crowds waiting for the Nez Perce in St. Paul or the horrible time the Nez Perce spent in the Quapaw agency?

What is unusual about this account is not how similar it is to others, but how different. I had never heard about Ad Chapman becoming an advocate for the Nez Perce. I knew nothing about the train journey from Bismarck to Fort Leavenworth or the dead children buried at Baxter Springs.

This is a new Joseph more fully revealed. I recommend it to all readers who want to know the full story and not just the standard tale that ends at the Bear Paws. Even if you only care about the journey up to the Bear Paws this account will make it come alive in a way you have never experienced.

wow. this is truly an amazing book. anyone familiar with mr. nerburn's works may not be surprised by the fact that before you know it you have finished the book...and you don't want it to be over. his style and prose allows the reader to visualize like no other history book can. it is amazing that this is a biography, not a work of fiction. the depth and knowledge that was accumulated by mr. nerburn is astounding and lends its hand to the fact that this is not just a work done by a historian, but by a person deeply and wholly affected by the mistreatment of the american indian. his heart is in, and on, each and every page. you cannot afford to pass on this biography. surely, it will become known as "the" book on the plight of the nez perce. it is a beautiful, perfectly written, masterpiece.

easy reading for a well documented historical book. strips away the many myths regarding joseph depicting him as a deeply spiritual person working to keep up with promises he made even as agreements and promises made to his people are broken and ignored.

Though I have read a significant amount about the Nez Perce, this was my firt introduction to kent Nerburn. The moment I held the book in my hands I felt the heart it was written with reach out to me and draw me into it. Kent, through his intense dedication and depth of soul brought the story alive. Most writings on the subject are accountings-here I felt the people involved and became part of the story. That depth of unity IS Native American.

This book so reached me I immediately ordered several other books by the same author, as well as more copies of this book to give to friends.

...this wonderful book and have gotten to the point that I only allow myself a few pages per night in order to make it last. After reading "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" and his writings on the shooting at Red Lake last year on his web log I knew this book would be an experience to be savored and I wasn't wrong.

When you have to wade through someone's dry theories of teaching diversity in order to get to the story of Chief Joseph--well, I gave up. This story has fascinated me and Kent Nerburn offers to straighten out some fables that surround the Chief. Yet I couldn't get to them through his self-congratulatory rhetoric about enriching the lives of his students. Had to give up. I still don't know what he calls the "real story."