Watch for Me on the Mountain

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This book is extremely strong, touching, beautiful, realistically painful and raw in description of the historical facts.It is a book that i will never forget, and one of few books i most probably will read again. The historical character of Geronimo is fascinating. A warrior, a killer, AND a deeply spiritual man. A shaman with power to call on spirits of nature for help. I diagree totally with the reviewer below who claims the descriptions of anglosaxicans to be negative stereotype. I just read the book and was moved by the few incidents of friendships and respect between whites and natives. That a many anglosaxicans and mexicans had no human consideration for or respect for the indians is a historical fact. Frankly, in my view, there is still an issue today in the US, among a conservative minority, which speaks of incredibly stupidity, bloodthirst and greed, and of thinking - like religious sects - "us and them". This "philosophy" is the darkest sideeffect of the most rigid and dualistic christanity, and has nothing to do with pure religious feeling. It is sad that this model of "thought", that this tradition has been "in the seat" of the nation for a while now. It is the same forces that this books speaks of - forces of greed.

But speaking of the book again: Read it! - you will have your own experience of it. There is a lot to learn about history and authentic native spiritual understanding. It is filled with pain, beauty and painful beauty. My (lack of) demand of the english language cannot do it right!

This review is based on the norwegian translation.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting failure
Review: I see both strengths and weaknesses in this book. Carter's descriptions of life among the Apaches during Geronimo's lifetime are powerful and convincing. He is compelling when he recreates Apache war raids and evokes the tactical brilliance with which Geronimo waged his twin wars on the Mexicans and the Americans of the Southwest. Carter makes it abundantly clear that Geronimo was not so much a chief as a War Shaman, that he was motivated as much by extraordinary spiritual insight as by courage and valor. But the book fails when it attempts to portray Geronimo's enemies. With a few, not very important, exceptions, the Mexicans and Americans in the book are all dishonest, mercenary, coarse, corrupt, loathsome, vain--and, because they are so predictably despicable, they are cardboard characters, not real men. Carter seems not to understand (or, if he understands, to care) that, in an epic conflict such as the one the Apaches found themselves faced with in the last years of the nineteenth century, both sides can be principled; both can be motivated by what they believe to be right; but, because they are creatures of different value systems, their respective concepts of right can differ momentously--and with epically tragic consequences. Carter was obviously a gifted writer. If his Apaches were not always the "good guys"--if some of the really important Mexicans and Americans in his story had some redeeming qualities, this could have been a very good--perhaps even great--novel. As it is, it is an interesting (albeit often satisfying) failure.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting failure
Review: I see both strengths and weaknesses in this book. Carter's descriptions of life among the Apaches during Geronimo's lifetime are powerful and convincing. He is compelling when he recreates Apache war raids and evokes the tactical brilliance with which Geronimo waged his twin wars on the Mexicans and the Americans of the Southwest. Carter makes it abundantly clear that Geronimo was not so much a chief as a War Shaman, that he was motivated as much by extraordinary spiritual insight as by courage and valor. But the book fails when it attempts to portray Geronimo's enemies. With a few, not very important, exceptions, the Mexicans and Americans in the book are all dishonest, mercenary, coarse, corrupt, loathsome, vain--and, because they are so predictably despicable, they are cardboard characters, not real men. Carter seems not to understand (or, if he understands, to care) that, in an epic conflict such as the one the Apaches found themselves faced with in the last years of the nineteenth century, both sides can be principled; both can be motivated by what they believe to be right; but, because they are creatures of different value systems, their respective concepts of right can differ momentously--and with epically tragic consequences. Carter was obviously a gifted writer. If his Apaches were not always the "good guys"--if some of the really important Mexicans and Americans in his story had some redeeming qualities, this could have been a very good--perhaps even great--novel. As it is, it is an interesting (albeit often satisfying) failure.

Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorites
Review: I was assigned to read The Education of Little Tree while in college. I was so impressed with the book I recommended it to my mother, who had the same opinion. She was so impressed she bought all of Forrest Carter's book and she insisted that I read, Watch For Me On The Mountain. That was close to ten years ago, and it still stays with me. Carter's writing is direct, to the point, and extremely vivid, almost raw. I was haunted by much of this book and perhaps it is that feeling that forces me to re-read it so many times. I have always had a great respect for Native Americans, but knew very little, if anything, about the Apaches. Carter helped to alleviate some of that, even though the book is listed as fiction. It gave me the extreme basics of what the Apaches went through, and how amazing Geronimo really was. The book does paint an extremely dishonest portrait of the U.S. Government, as well as the Mexicans. But, let's be honest, our government didn't really give us much to be proud about. Unfortunately, much of what Carter writes about is true. In short, Forrest Carter was an oustanding writer, and Watch For Me On The Mountain is an outstanding book. Hands down.

Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorites
Review: I was assigned to read The Education of Little Tree while in college. I was so impressed with the book I recommended it to my mother, who had the same opinion. She was so impressed she bought all of Forrest Carter's book and she insisted that I read, Watch For Me On The Mountain. That was close to ten years ago, and it still stays with me. Carter's writing is direct, to the point, and extremely vivid, almost raw. I was haunted by much of this book and perhaps it is that feeling that forces me to re-read it so many times. I have always had a great respect for Native Americans, but knew very little, if anything, about the Apaches. Carter helped to alleviate some of that, even though the book is listed as fiction. It gave me the extreme basics of what the Apaches went through, and how amazing Geronimo really was. The book does paint an extremely dishonest portrait of the U.S. Government, as well as the Mexicans. But, let's be honest, our government didn't really give us much to be proud about. Unfortunately, much of what Carter writes about is true. In short, Forrest Carter was an oustanding writer, and Watch For Me On The Mountain is an outstanding book. Hands down.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most memorable books I have ever read.
Review: I've read thousands of books in my 40-odd years and will sometimes realize, halfway through a new paperback, that I've already read it. Such a mistake could never be made with "Watch for Me on the Mountain." It wrenches your heart and your gut, forever etching in your mind scenes and people from long ago. It lifted me up, filled me with joy, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. One of my top five all-time favorites.

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: I've read thousands of books in my 40-odd years and will sometimes realize, halfway through a new paperback, that I've already read it. Such a mistake could never be made with "Watch for Me on the Mountain." It wrenches your heart and your gut, forever etching in your mind scenes and people from long ago. It lifted me up, filled me with joy, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. One of my top five all-time favorites.

Rating:
Summary: Factually engaging and well written.
Review: Part history book, and biography, I found this book to give a complex view of Geronimo which would be hard to convey otherwise. Mr. Carter did a good job of being objective, while not losing the unknown factor of myth in Geronimo's life. A definitive biography at the same time, for an elusive historical figure.

Rating:
Summary: Educational, entertaining and spiritual
Review: Rarely do you find an entertaining book that is so educational and spiritual at the same time. I couldn't put the book down. It moved me to tears and emotions that rarely a book can do.

Rating:
Summary: An understanding and appreciation of Geronimo's spirituality
Review: Reading THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE prompted me to find other Forrest Carter works. Through Amazon, I discovered the Josey Wales books (terrific). References to Geronimo in those books peaked my interest about this fascinating historical figure, so I ordered WATCH FOR ME ON THE MOUNTAIN. It did not disappoint. Though Carter takes liberties with the story by including personal details about Geronimo which he could not know--thus making it a fictional work--there is a symmetry in his use of history and folklore which is captivating. He tells a great story, and if you are the least bit interested in the spirituality and mysticism that defined this man's life, you will find this book fascinating. Geronimo lived between the earthly and spiritual worlds, giving him great powers which he used to enable the Apache to ward off slavery and death,against huge odds, for twenty years longer than seemed possible. Moving, sad and inspiring, this book brings about heightened appreciation for Native American spirituality and resillency.