Satanta: The Life and Death of a War Chief

By Charles M. Robinson III

Book Overview

In 1867 the New York Times wrote that "in cunning or native diplomacy Satanta has no equal in boldness, daring and merciless cruelty." Even in 1867, however, the Times was able to admit that there are "good points in this dusky chieftain which command admiration." Here at last is a brilliantly researched and written biography of the Kiowa chief who terrorized the western frontier but who fascinated the eastern press. The war leader of the Warren wagon train massacre was also the orator and diplomat who did much to publicize to the eastern establishment the 19th-century tragedies being inflicted upon the Indian tribes. From Satanta's birth ca. 1815 to his ignominious death in a Texas prison in 1878, award-winning biographer Charles M. Robinson III deals with Satanta, as both legend and man, within the context, heritage and history of the Kiowa culture as it came face-to-face with the encroachments of western immigration.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1880510561
• ISBN13: 9781880510568
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: TX A&m-McWhiney Foundation
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 9 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 4 and higher

Customer Reviews

A Bear of a Man this White Bear, his life reflected NA culture

I have been fascinated by Kiowa chief Satanta since 1970, and studied as much on him as I could find over the decades. This book covers his life in detail, provides a look at the man, his strengths and weaknesses, how he percieved the world and himself, his place in it. He was perhaps the bravest, most terrifying warrior of the 1860s and early 70s in North and central Texas as well as KS, CO, NE and Mexico. His bugle, his 1798 sacred medicine shield, his lance, bow & arrow, peace medal, army captains coat, and red ochre painted face, presented a frightful sight, to Texas settlers. His face was the last many were to gaze on before their eternal flight. I highly recommend this book to the serious student of Satanta, Satank and Big Tree, or anyone interested in the Warren Wagon Train massacre, the first battle of Adobe Walls, and the Kiowa of the 1860s in I.T. and Texas. Satanta's life and death sadly reflected the demise of the free roaming plains Indian from a free man, to one imprisoned for life in the Texas state prison at Huntsville, a fate worse than death!

A window into the life of a Great War Chief

If you enjoy reading about the Kiowa tribe you'll love this book. It provides an interesting insight into the life of Chief Satanta (White Bear), his family and all those involved trying to bring peace between the Kiowas and the white man. It is also very informative about the Native Indian culture. My fastest read yet!