Trail Of Feathers: Searching for Philip True

by Robert Rivard

In December 1998, San Antonio Express-News reporter Philip True vanished during a solo backcountry trek in western Mexico, home of the reclusive Huichol Indians and the Chapalagana, the Twisted Serpent Canyon, a 150-mile long gash that twists and plunges through the heart of the Sierra Madre. Five days later his editor, Robert Rivard, was part of a small search party that, nearly miraculously, tracked a trail of feathers that had leaked from True's sleeping bag to find his body.

Trail of Feathers is the story of the search for True and of the quest to bring his killers to justice. It is also the story of another perplexing Why had True taken such a dangerous trip, into such a raw, uncivilized wilderness, alone and without sufficient safety preparations, in the first place? After an unhappy and unsettled youth, True was at the age of fifty finally settling down to a career and a wife he loved. His first child was about to be born. What was he running from, or to?

Rivard's search for answers to these questions leads him deep into the Sierra Madre Occidental, one of Mexico's last true wildernesses, and deep into the secrets of Philip True's past. It also leads him into his own past, and an acknowledgment of the ways in which his life and True's mirrored each other. Suspenseful, atmospheric, and moving, Trail of Feathers is more than a true crime tale; it's a classic tragedy about how the past reverberates destructively into the present -- for individuals, for cultures, for nations.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime

448 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2005

Reviews

[Florence Buchholz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysterious death of a newspaper journalist in Mexico's Huichol lands sends his widow, Martha True, and colleague, Robert Rivard, off on a six year quest to see his murderers brought to justice. The land of Mexico's indigenous Huichol tribe is remote and virtually unknown to outsiders. Philip True was on a personal quest to understand the culture and experience the wilderness. The motive of his murder never becomes completely clear. This much I know from personal experience while traveling in Chiapas; native people are very sensitive to disrespect of their way of life. They tolerate outsiders grudgingly. Of course that does not explain or excuse a crime, it merely describes a situation that is tense; where the air is rife with misunderstanding. Philip True was a journalist with a passionate curiosity for the unknown. He paid a heavy price.

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad story of Philip True, a journalist with the San Antonio Express-News, who was murdered on a solo journey in Mexico, in an area of secretive indigenous tribes. He was an investigative reporter who wanted to shed light and understand about the secretive tribe, but instead encountered two men who sought to rob him, and hide their crime. True story of how his body was found after following a trail of feathers (from his torn sleeping bag) to where he had been buried in a shallow grave. The two perpetrators from the tribe, were apprehended, and, justice for the True family, was a long time in coming given the corruptive nature of the Mexican justice system. Written in 2005, the two were released before their judgment, and were still at large.

[Leslie Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entire first part of this book was very riveting, giving the true back story of Philip True, the journalist who was killed in Mexico on a solo walking trip to explore an ancient tribe in 1998.

I already knew from the cover flap and summary and the actual facts of the case that justice was either not going to come easy if at all. I just found that the author, who was True's editor, got mired down in the second half and it was just page after page of mundane data as opposed to the living breathing captivating first part of the book. I largely skipped most of the second part and just turned to the last pages to see how the book ended.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too long. I’m amazed that I added this book to my “to read” list ten years ago, and it took this long to read it. The book gives perspective to our relationship with Mexico and to the legal system in Mexico within the true story of an American journalist murdered on a journey to Huichol land.

[Bookmarks Magazine]

Rivard, who has served as editor of the San Antonio Express-News for almost a decade, positions True not only as a victim of a marginalized Indian tribe's violence but also as a symbol of the fragile relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. Critics agree that Trail of Feathers is a model of its genre. Told with unflinching honesty and sensitivity, the book recounts True's blue-collar upbringing, evolution as a journalist, and marriage to a Mexican woman pregnant with their first child__experiences that resonate deeply with Rivard. Too many characters, details, and clich_

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somehow I've gotten on a kick for books about men going off on stupid and wacky solo adventures. It was a little interesting to read about Huichel people of Mexico, less interesting to read about the dope who got himself killed there, and frustrating to know about the murderers never being jailed. I just flew over this region on my way back from Mexico City and it is as beautifully rugged and remote as the book suggests.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very moving book about the search for the truth. When Philip True a reporter does not return from a trip in to Mexico's mountains his wife reaches out to friends colleagues and the paper for which Philip works. It is written by Robert Rivard his editor, in trying to solve this mystery, a picture emerges of Philip True, Mexico and all the complications that lead to the unfortunate and tragic death of a seasoned reported and trekker.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad story about Philip True, written by his editor. Sometimes Rivard is just too close and uses this book as an opportunity to process. As therapy session for Rivard, I'd skip the book unless you were interested in True or the Huichol.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of an editor's search for the truth after his reporter in Mexico is murdered. Even if you're not into journalism, it's a good adventure. I learned a lot about Mexico, too.

[R.Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

True story about a journalist who was killed in Mexico. Shows the contrast between the indigenous people and the law.

[Florenceweinberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspenseful and true story of the disappearance of Philip True. Good reading.

[Angelica]

slow at first but got better as I continued, very good bo0k, historical and good description of the natives in Mexico

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A true crime story that indulges my passion for reading about the infamous Sierra Madre area of Mexico. Compelling and compassionate.

[Laura Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book even though it is about an unfortunate tragedy. The author did an excellent job explaining the unfortunate political climate dealing with a murder across borders.

[Teofila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that one must be careful when traveling.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. It will make you sad and mad.