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Geronimo's Bones
On February 17, 1909, in the dark heart of winter, the great Apache leader, Geronimo, dies of pneumonia after 23 years as a prisoner of war of the United States. Days later, a young, highly decorated Marine corporal named Frank Kidd learns of Geronimo’s death. Kidd’s real name is Chaco, and he is Geronimo’s nephew. Orphaned at birth, Chaco was toughened by the cruelties of the white man’s Indian school, battle-hardened by guerrilla warfare, and severely wounded in the 1906 Cuban Pacification Campaign. Chaco returns to Fort Sill’s Apache POW camp to find his adoptive mother dying and his sister trapped in a brothel. Long-held secrets are soon Chaco is the old warrior’s last son, and his father’s final wish was to be buried “in the country that knows my name.” To honor that request, Chaco must rescue his sister and liberate Geronimo’s bones from the Apache Cemetery. During the escape, two white men end up dead. Once an honored hero, now a hunted outlaw, Chaco races west with his sister in a stolen motorcar. As the last Apache warrior, he must pay the price with blood in one of the largest manhunts of the 20th century.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2018
264 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 16, 2018
5 stars for this historical novel
Having lived in Southeast Arizona and spent a lot of time in Southwest New Mexico over a period of 14 years, I absorbed a lot of the history of the Apache bands led by Cochise and Geronimo. This novel was a wonderful reading experience. Makes me hope that the author gets more of his work published.
Having lived in Southeast Arizona and spent a lot of time in Southwest New Mexico over a period of 14 years, I absorbed a lot of the history of the Apache bands led by Cochise and Geronimo. This novel was a wonderful reading experience. Makes me hope that the author gets more of his work published.
July 23, 2019
The story may not be true, but it's truthful.
Chaco, a young Apache man born in the wrong century, struggles against harsh odds to adapt to the life fate has given him.
Torn away from family and all he's known in his young life and sent to the white man's school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, he rebels and attempts to walk back to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where his people are confined. Tracked down by bounty hunters, he's beaten and dragged back to the school where students are to have their Indian identity eradicated and replaced by the culture of their conquerors.
With the help of a mentor, Chaco survives this first ordeal. School over, he joins the Marines and serves with valor fighting rebels in occupied Cuba. After his enlistment, he does return to Fort Sill, finds his 'mother' dying and his sister living a degraded life.
He discovers the woman who raised him was not his mother and his father is the famous warrior known as Geronimo.
Geronimo has also died and Chaco now takes a vow to honor his father's last wish--that his bones be returned to the home of their ancestors, a place Chaco has never known. Combining skills he learned from his elders with those he acquired from the enemy, Chaco rescues his sister and together they begin their odyssey, fraught with peril and pursued by men who would deny them their goal.
Chaco, a young Apache man born in the wrong century, struggles against harsh odds to adapt to the life fate has given him.
Torn away from family and all he's known in his young life and sent to the white man's school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, he rebels and attempts to walk back to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where his people are confined. Tracked down by bounty hunters, he's beaten and dragged back to the school where students are to have their Indian identity eradicated and replaced by the culture of their conquerors.
With the help of a mentor, Chaco survives this first ordeal. School over, he joins the Marines and serves with valor fighting rebels in occupied Cuba. After his enlistment, he does return to Fort Sill, finds his 'mother' dying and his sister living a degraded life.
He discovers the woman who raised him was not his mother and his father is the famous warrior known as Geronimo.
Geronimo has also died and Chaco now takes a vow to honor his father's last wish--that his bones be returned to the home of their ancestors, a place Chaco has never known. Combining skills he learned from his elders with those he acquired from the enemy, Chaco rescues his sister and together they begin their odyssey, fraught with peril and pursued by men who would deny them their goal.
This is a novel with engaging and colorful characters, adventure, humor and tragedy. It isn't often a first novel resonates so well. I look forward to reading more of Darrel Bryant's work
May 27, 2018
Excellent!
A well-edited, well-written fictionalized account of Geronimo's bones. It is actually a Western novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Strong characters.
A well-edited, well-written fictionalized account of Geronimo's bones. It is actually a Western novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Strong characters.
June 22, 2018
Should be a classic
Since the arrival of the Europeans at Plymouth Rock, the dehumanization, degradation and downfall of native Americans has been taking place. It IS the way of conquerors, to try to do away with the remaining population by any means possible. While our country was founded on high sounding moral principles, those principles were rarely, if ever, applied to the Native Americans. Somehow they just did not deserve that kind of treatment. The only avenue left to them was/is to fight back, even to death. It still goes on, even in 2018.
Since the arrival of the Europeans at Plymouth Rock, the dehumanization, degradation and downfall of native Americans has been taking place. It IS the way of conquerors, to try to do away with the remaining population by any means possible. While our country was founded on high sounding moral principles, those principles were rarely, if ever, applied to the Native Americans. Somehow they just did not deserve that kind of treatment. The only avenue left to them was/is to fight back, even to death. It still goes on, even in 2018.
March 15, 2025
Young Chaco, a native of the Mescalero-Chiricahua tribe born in 1888 in New Mexico, spent most of his youth separated from his family and culture in an indian school in Pennsylvania and a prisoner-of-war camp in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, so he has only long ago stories from his early childhood of his family life and history in the Gila River areas of New Mexico. (The Gila was the first designated Wilderness Area in the World thanks to Aldo Leopold in 1924.) When he graduated high school, he had no way to get back to his mother and sister imprisoned in Oklahoma. A Marine recruited him to join the Corp, where, following training in the south, he would spend three years at Guantanamo Naval Station, Cuba fighting a guerilla war in support of the American Liberators. With his discharge, he was able to travel back to Oklahoma only to find his sister in desperate straits and his mother dying. And her dying wish was that he rescue his sister and take the bones of Goyaale, known by whites as Geronimo, who had died in 1909, back home to rest in the land that he loved as it was his heart-felt dying wish. She, herself, wanted to be buried in Oklahoma. Thus begins a journey to keep you reading way into the night. What a wonderful tale! I am so pleased to have found this author.
REVIEWED on March 15, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available at B&N or Kobo.
REVIEWED on March 15, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available at B&N or Kobo.
August 12, 2018
The preface says that if this story isn't true, it should be. I don't know about that. It's an adventure for sure and it conveys life in the early 20th century in a detailed and believable way. But if this story is true, a whole lot of people died.
The book is the story of an Apache man -- either, Chaco, struggling with his heritage in a world that doesn't want him and a people who have been subjugated and nearly erased from the face of the world. After spending his years as a young man in the white man's culture, he returns to his mother in the prisoner. The result is an obligation that consumes and destroys him.
The story is told mostly from Chaco's point of view but slides into multiple viewpoints toward the end of the novel. This works surprisingly well. The reader doesn't need other characters' thoughts early on, but as his enemies close on him, we need to know what motivates them as well. This POV change also results in very short chapters during the most exhilarating parts of the story. The short chapters tricked me into reading more when I really needed to go to bed. It's alway, just a few more pages, just a few more pages...
So give it a whirl if you are interested in this part of history and like a fast paced adventure.
The book is the story of an Apache man -- either, Chaco, struggling with his heritage in a world that doesn't want him and a people who have been subjugated and nearly erased from the face of the world. After spending his years as a young man in the white man's culture, he returns to his mother in the prisoner. The result is an obligation that consumes and destroys him.
The story is told mostly from Chaco's point of view but slides into multiple viewpoints toward the end of the novel. This works surprisingly well. The reader doesn't need other characters' thoughts early on, but as his enemies close on him, we need to know what motivates them as well. This POV change also results in very short chapters during the most exhilarating parts of the story. The short chapters tricked me into reading more when I really needed to go to bed. It's alway, just a few more pages, just a few more pages...
So give it a whirl if you are interested in this part of history and like a fast paced adventure.
June 25, 2018
While I found this book to be not quite on par with works of some of the more well-known contemporary western writers, I found it to be an enjoyable read none-the-less. It is the story of Frank Kidd aka Chaco, an Apache graduate of the infamous Carlisle Indian School and Marine Veteran of the Cuban Campaign. Upon return to civilian life, he learns from his adoptive mother that recently deceased Geronimo, a man he thought to be his uncle, is actually his biological father. She wishes Geronimo's bones to be returned to his homeland in Arizona from their current resting place in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Chaco embarks on this seemingly overwhelming odyssey across the plains of Texas and New Mexico with his sister in a stolen Locomobile. They are pursued by the law and military using a combination of modes of transportation including horses, automobiles, and trains.
I found this to be a good story that is rooted in a great deal of American history.
I found this to be a good story that is rooted in a great deal of American history.
May 17, 2018
This was a different book. An American Indian is taken from his family at a young age and sent to school to learn the ways of the white man. He becomes a decorated Marine and returns home to see his mother. He finds that his sister is working in a bar and decides to get her out. His dying mother tells him that he is Geronimo's son and he should take his father's bones to their proper place. Thus the adventure begins. He and his sister are chased by the law and the army, he joins up with a couple of people, and the book ends.
June 11, 2018
History and Story at it's finest !!
I chose the five star rating because this novel was so well written. Once you start reading it is tough to put down. There is much feelings, intrigue, suspense and drama in telling the sad story of Geronimo as portrayed by the author. It is one of those books that you cheer for bad guy. If YOU believe he's the bad guy! I hope Darrell Bryant writes another novel for my enjoyment. Thanks Dar
I chose the five star rating because this novel was so well written. Once you start reading it is tough to put down. There is much feelings, intrigue, suspense and drama in telling the sad story of Geronimo as portrayed by the author. It is one of those books that you cheer for bad guy. If YOU believe he's the bad guy! I hope Darrell Bryant writes another novel for my enjoyment. Thanks Dar
May 25, 2018
Heart Wrenching
This narrative is painfully accurate as to what happened to many Native People. The cruelty of the white men involved is incredibly clear. The prejudice that existed then still runs rampant today. That's what makes this book so compelling. A must for anyone conscious of what is going on today to the People.
This narrative is painfully accurate as to what happened to many Native People. The cruelty of the white men involved is incredibly clear. The prejudice that existed then still runs rampant today. That's what makes this book so compelling. A must for anyone conscious of what is going on today to the People.
June 5, 2018
Outstanding!
A gripping tale of the son of a great Native American leader as he fights his way to the promised burial of his father's bones. Great portrayal of the early 1900s from the importance of telegraph lines to early automobiles and the scarcity of gas stations. Great read, highly recommend.
A gripping tale of the son of a great Native American leader as he fights his way to the promised burial of his father's bones. Great portrayal of the early 1900s from the importance of telegraph lines to early automobiles and the scarcity of gas stations. Great read, highly recommend.
June 25, 2018
This should be a movie! Kept seeing Zahn McClarnon (Longmire) as Chato and Tommy Lee Jones as the Marshall.... Really loved the tale--a mixture of legend, history, philosophy, and adventure. Now I want to read more about Geronimo's life. Will definitely be looking at more books by Darrell Bryant.
January 18, 2019
A Great Telling of the Legend
This book is well-written and historically accurate. The details of the rescue of his sister and their run to escape keep the reader engrossed and in suspense. I have read everything I could find about Geronimo, and this story has good information. I found the ending to be weak. Other than that, a great story.
This book is well-written and historically accurate. The details of the rescue of his sister and their run to escape keep the reader engrossed and in suspense. I have read everything I could find about Geronimo, and this story has good information. I found the ending to be weak. Other than that, a great story.
May 17, 2018
A somewhat sad but enjoyable read. Was not satisfied with the ending and author has no follow up. I would recommend it thought, simply for the factual history of the book about our native americans.
July 8, 2018
A Great Western Read
I wasn't sure I would like this book when I started it but once I started reading it. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it if you like westerns and Indian stories.
I wasn't sure I would like this book when I started it but once I started reading it. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it if you like westerns and Indian stories.
July 25, 2018
Amazing piece of history
Chaco' story is a page turner and leaves you wanting more. It's sad to realize we Americans treated our Native Americans so cruelly. It's a piece of history we should not be proud of.
Chaco' story is a page turner and leaves you wanting more. It's sad to realize we Americans treated our Native Americans so cruelly. It's a piece of history we should not be proud of.
January 17, 2019
A great read
This book is completely outside of the genre's i read, but from the beginning I was drawn into Chaco's story. It was an amazing tale written from a viewpoint seldom seen; that of a Native American whose life and culture was decimated by the white mans greed.
This book is completely outside of the genre's i read, but from the beginning I was drawn into Chaco's story. It was an amazing tale written from a viewpoint seldom seen; that of a Native American whose life and culture was decimated by the white mans greed.
January 25, 2019
A Bit of History
You would think me an Indian as all my sympathies lie with the Indians. This is a well written story about Chacos journey.
I would recommend this book as a good story of historical interest.
You would think me an Indian as all my sympathies lie with the Indians. This is a well written story about Chacos journey.
I would recommend this book as a good story of historical interest.
January 27, 2019
A good book, exciting to the last page, leaving the reader to decide what happened.
Well written, great character development. Fascinating story about Geronimo 's final resting place, assuming his bones got where they were intended to go.
Well written, great character development. Fascinating story about Geronimo 's final resting place, assuming his bones got where they were intended to go.
February 1, 2019
You need to read this one!
If you're interested in Native history, this book is really amazing. I was totally caught up in Chaco's adventure. I was right there with them as they travelled... at night, in the car, on horseback. This was such an emotional ride. I loved it.
If you're interested in Native history, this book is really amazing. I was totally caught up in Chaco's adventure. I was right there with them as they travelled... at night, in the car, on horseback. This was such an emotional ride. I loved it.
February 20, 2019
Great read
Really enjoy novels with some factual basis. Was certainly cheering for Chaco's victory. I highly recommend this for a trip back in time to a devastating time in America, as white men cheated native people out of their land and ways.
Really enjoy novels with some factual basis. Was certainly cheering for Chaco's victory. I highly recommend this for a trip back in time to a devastating time in America, as white men cheated native people out of their land and ways.
August 15, 2019
Historic
This novel is a hard one to classify. Action, historical, sad commentary of what happened to the native Americans. Very good story line. Will buy a hard cover to share with family and friends.
This novel is a hard one to classify. Action, historical, sad commentary of what happened to the native Americans. Very good story line. Will buy a hard cover to share with family and friends.
September 7, 2019
Very engaging story
This is a well written and engaging story. It heads historical background as it relates to geronimo and the spirit of the apaches. One of the better pieces old historical fiction about native Americans i have read.
This is a well written and engaging story. It heads historical background as it relates to geronimo and the spirit of the apaches. One of the better pieces old historical fiction about native Americans i have read.
March 6, 2020
Enjoyed history behind the tale.
A good book that kept me wanting to get back to reading it as soon as whatever chore stole my time away from the book. Great read about the conditions in the west on different levels, including the bias opinion of society in that time period.
A good book that kept me wanting to get back to reading it as soon as whatever chore stole my time away from the book. Great read about the conditions in the west on different levels, including the bias opinion of society in that time period.
May 15, 2018
Excellent story well told.
Very good telling of the final journey of Geranimo. I will be recommending this book to many people. Thank you.
Very good telling of the final journey of Geranimo. I will be recommending this book to many people. Thank you.
May 16, 2018
Great Book
A wonderful book. A story that started out about the American Natives. A great tale about American History. I recommend it to all ages.
A wonderful book. A story that started out about the American Natives. A great tale about American History. I recommend it to all ages.
May 19, 2018
Bones
Didn't like the ending. But really good reading. Read in one day
What happen to the ladies?
Did they make it out
Didn't like the ending. But really good reading. Read in one day
What happen to the ladies?
Did they make it out
May 21, 2018
Native Americans
The story was told in a good way . Made me angry the way native Americans were treated. Have me a new respect for them.
The story was told in a good way . Made me angry the way native Americans were treated. Have me a new respect for them.
June 9, 2018
Awesome book, takes you totally on the journey!
July 8, 2018
Good read
But I hate endings like this. See for yourself and see what I mean. Too much left for the reader.
But I hate endings like this. See for yourself and see what I mean. Too much left for the reader.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews