Last Captive

by A.C. Greene

Illustrated with photos - The Lives of Herman Lehmann, Who was taken by the Indians as a boy from his Texas Home & adopted by them; his career as an authentic wild warrior with the apache and Comanche tribes; his subsequent restoration to the bosom of his family and the difficutlies and confusions faced in adjusting his savage training to a civlized society; his experiences carrying him form the time of the scalpin knife to the very threshold of our Atomic Age..."

161 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1972

About the author

A.C. Greene (Alvin Carl Greene, Jr.) was an American writer — important in Texas literary matters as a memoirist, fiction writer, historian, poet, and influential book critic in Dallas. As a newspaper journalist, he had been a book critic and editor of the Editorial Page for the Dallas Times Herald when JKF was assassinated, which galvanized his role at the paper to help untangle and lift a demoralized city in search of its soul. Leaving full-time journalism in 1968, Greene went on to become a prolific author of books, notably on Texas lore and history. His notoriety led to stints in radio and TV as talk-show host. By the 1980s, his commentaries were being published by major media across the country. He had become a sought-after source for Texas history, antidotes, cultural perspective, facts, humor, books, and politics. When the 1984 Republican National Convention was held in Dallas, Greene granted sixty-three interviews about Texas topics to major media journalists. Greene's 1990 book, Taking Heart — which examines the experiences of the first patient in a new heart transplant center (himself) — made the New York Times Editors Choice list.

Reviews

[Judy Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Captivating" true account of a young Texan captured by Apaches in Central Texas. This young man lived with the Indians, including Comanches after he was traded to their band. An incredibly eye-opening report of his personal experiences and his adaption to their way of life. If you are interested in this period of history in Texas and the southwest you will be enthralled and educated by A.C.Greene's in depth research and retelling of Herman Lehman's astounding childhood. I will be keeping this book and referring back to it often.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read previously about Herman Lehman, and this too was a fascinating read about life in central Texas living amongst the Germans, Apaches and Comanches.

[Steve Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of reading "Nine Years Among the Indians," let me recommend "The Last Captive," by AC Greene. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._C._G....

Lehmann's story was told twice (told because he was uneducated and mostly illiterate). "Nine Years..." (1927) was an autobiography. "Indianology" (1899) was written (poorly, in Greene's opinion) with Lehmann's input and experience. His family also briefly wrote about him.

AC Greene was a noted editor and writer who took everything he could find about Lehmann and put it into "The Last Captive." Greene starts with "Nine Years..." but ably edits it for easier reading. He also adds commentary, alerting the reader when Lehmann's memory differs from one book to the other, or to provide additional information from other sources.

Greene's book, even above the original by Lehmann, is the one to read. If a second edition would include a map of the southwest, then or now, all the better. I'd also wish it to add (what is admittedly already in Wikipedia or in many books) appendixes on the Indian wars in general, on Quanah Parker, on the buffalo's importance to Native Americans, on reservations, and so on.

Lehmann was captured in Mason County, and joined Apache and Comanche raids not far from where I'm living now. My scalp tingles at the thought.

Lehmann's life spanned stone age (flint knives) almost to the atomic bomb, and included the invention or widespread distribution of electricity (for motors and lighting), automobiles, telegraph, radio, airplanes, color/sound films, and more. Ha, and we think technology's moving too fast.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Herman Lehmann who was taken as a boy by the Apache Indians. He was adopted into the tribe and lived with them many years. This is really an interesting and historically accurate account of events and life in 1870s Texas. Herman was eventually returned to his family, but had a very difficult time adjusting to the "white" way of life. Very interesting if you are into this time period and what life was truly like then. Would recommend.