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The Story of Geronimo (Jim Kjelgaard)
Literary Thoughts edition
presents
The Story of Geronimo
by Jim Kjelgaard
------
"The Story of Geronimo" was written by American author Jim Kjelgaard (1910-1959, full name: James Arthur Kjelgaard) as a biography for teenagers of the Apache leader Geronimo (1829-1909), but using the style of a novel.
All books of the Literary Thoughts edition have been transscribed from original prints and edited for better reading experience.
Please visit our homepage literarythoughts.com to see our other publications.
presents
The Story of Geronimo
by Jim Kjelgaard
------
"The Story of Geronimo" was written by American author Jim Kjelgaard (1910-1959, full name: James Arthur Kjelgaard) as a biography for teenagers of the Apache leader Geronimo (1829-1909), but using the style of a novel.
All books of the Literary Thoughts edition have been transscribed from original prints and edited for better reading experience.
Please visit our homepage literarythoughts.com to see our other publications.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1958
14 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Jim Kjelgaard
106 books163 followersan American author of young adult literature.
Born in New York City, New York, Jim Kjelgaard is the author of more than forty novels, the most famous of which is 1945's "Big Red." It sold 225,000 copies by 1956 and was made into a 1962 Walt Disney film with the same title, Big Red. His books were primarily about dogs and wild animals, often with animal protagonists and told from the animal's point of view.
Jim Kjelgaard committed suicide in 1959, after suffering for several years from chronic pain and depression.
- Wikipedia -
Born in New York City, New York, Jim Kjelgaard is the author of more than forty novels, the most famous of which is 1945's "Big Red." It sold 225,000 copies by 1956 and was made into a 1962 Walt Disney film with the same title, Big Red. His books were primarily about dogs and wild animals, often with animal protagonists and told from the animal's point of view.
Jim Kjelgaard committed suicide in 1959, after suffering for several years from chronic pain and depression.
- Wikipedia -
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 22, 2015
Growing up in southeastern Arizona, I had heard of Geronimo, Cochise, and other famous Apache warriors my entire youth, but I do wish I had come across this book at that time so that I could have understood a bit more clearly the events of the life of Geronimo. However, better late than never!
Kjelgaard is excellent at making his readers feel a part of the story, and since I had just returned from a quick trip to the area, I could even more easily see the deserts, the mountains, the vast open spaces that the Apache used to rule. I had been through Janos, in Mexico. Geronimo and some other warriors took their wounded chief Mangas Coloradas to a doctor there after a battle in Arizona. I know the country and the
distance from where the battle was fought to Janos and all I can say is that the Apache warriors must have been incredibly adapted to the country, and tougher than nails. I certainly would not want to try to do such a thing.
Anytime I read about the era of the Apache Wars, I feel such sadness at how the Apache were treated. They were simply protecting their own lives, their families, their civilization. Yes, it was different than the white man's, but they were so much more a part of the desert country than any white man could ever be: they understood the nature of the territory and blended with it.
I suppose I might have felt differently if I lived in that era, but in my opinion Geronimo, Cochise, and the other Apache warriors were heroes. Kjelgaard gives a well-rounded glimpse into his life, with exciting details that will leave you feeling that you have ridden with these brave men. As he says at the end of the book: Whether he was a great villain or a great patriot depends on whether one looks at him with the eyes of the white men whom he plundered, or the Apaches whom he championed. But nobody can deny that he fought for a free life for himself and his people and that he was one of the greatest warriors of all time.
Kjelgaard is excellent at making his readers feel a part of the story, and since I had just returned from a quick trip to the area, I could even more easily see the deserts, the mountains, the vast open spaces that the Apache used to rule. I had been through Janos, in Mexico. Geronimo and some other warriors took their wounded chief Mangas Coloradas to a doctor there after a battle in Arizona. I know the country and the
distance from where the battle was fought to Janos and all I can say is that the Apache warriors must have been incredibly adapted to the country, and tougher than nails. I certainly would not want to try to do such a thing.
Anytime I read about the era of the Apache Wars, I feel such sadness at how the Apache were treated. They were simply protecting their own lives, their families, their civilization. Yes, it was different than the white man's, but they were so much more a part of the desert country than any white man could ever be: they understood the nature of the territory and blended with it.
I suppose I might have felt differently if I lived in that era, but in my opinion Geronimo, Cochise, and the other Apache warriors were heroes. Kjelgaard gives a well-rounded glimpse into his life, with exciting details that will leave you feeling that you have ridden with these brave men. As he says at the end of the book: Whether he was a great villain or a great patriot depends on whether one looks at him with the eyes of the white men whom he plundered, or the Apaches whom he championed. But nobody can deny that he fought for a free life for himself and his people and that he was one of the greatest warriors of all time.
May 25, 2015
A very interesting story. It gave a lot more understanding of Geronimo and the Apaches.
February 12, 2021
Tells the story of the life of the great Apache Warrior. My son and I read this as part of a unit on the southwest as we are traveling through south east Arizona. It was amazing to be able to read about Cochise, Apache Springs, and Fort Bowie and visit those sites while reading the book. All of the factual information aligns with what the historical sites confirmed. I liked that the author presented the difficulty and complexity of the Apache situation with dignity and treated Geronimo with honor, yet did not shy away from his flaws. We had great discussions about motivations, integrity, and the love of a people and place. They just don't write books like this anymore.
July 27, 2018
Hurrah for a truly engaging biography that doesn't hide its subject's faults, doesn't engage in hagiography, but DOES present its subject in heroic terms. That's a hard balance to find, but Kjelgaard did.
His writing is also that perfect blend of vivid storytelling with accurate information on culture and history. AND, even better, there's plenty of white space; the pacing in the book is a good fit for upper elementary/middle grades readers who aren't advanced readers (but even advanced readers would enjoy this story). It's a good introduction to the racial tensions in the 19th century that weren't slavery related.
I wish this book was easier to find!
His writing is also that perfect blend of vivid storytelling with accurate information on culture and history. AND, even better, there's plenty of white space; the pacing in the book is a good fit for upper elementary/middle grades readers who aren't advanced readers (but even advanced readers would enjoy this story). It's a good introduction to the racial tensions in the 19th century that weren't slavery related.
I wish this book was easier to find!
September 14, 2022
Interesting insight into the interactions between these groups of people during that phase in earth's history. This story gives a glimpse into the rough and barbaric terrain that existed and the struggle to survive, protect and maintain one's own interest.
November 20, 2024
EXPLAINS MOTIVES
When I was growing up, the name Geronimo was spoken with hatred: he was portrayed as a bloodthirsty savage who killed indiscriminately.
The author explains why Geronimo walked the red road.
When I was growing up, the name Geronimo was spoken with hatred: he was portrayed as a bloodthirsty savage who killed indiscriminately.
The author explains why Geronimo walked the red road.
June 1, 2017
This is a g00d book. Lots of adventure. Have fun reading!
July 29, 2018
Read with JD and Joseph
July 7, 2020
Geronimo
As usual, Kjelgaard's writing is excellent. I read most of his books as a teenager. I assume that this story is based on fact, but I don't know for sure.
As usual, Kjelgaard's writing is excellent. I read most of his books as a teenager. I assume that this story is based on fact, but I don't know for sure.
September 2, 2021
Very good primer on Geronimo, one of the last Apache war chiefs. A story of the last days of the free Apache tribes.
March 28, 2011
what most people know about Geronimo is that it's what you say when you jump out of a airplane, but what is the real story. Geronimo from the start was a very brave kid when he was 12 the chief of his tribe truck him on a raid and had him gored the horses. What I would say is the real reason the Geronimo started fighting the U.S. Army and Mexico was because one day when most of his tribe and him on the way to some Mexico town to trade the man went into a small town to do some trading and while they were gone a bunch of Mexicans came in and massive most of the tribe, his wife,his mother, and his three children. Geronimo I would say is one of the greatest warriors of all time most of the time he was outnumbered, out armed but most of the battles he fought he one.
April 13, 2016
It is sad what humanity did to each other in the early years of the United States. Still sad what they do now days also. If only we would all learn to respect life and honesty. Or just make the 10 commandments our standard and a part of our everyday lives.
Debbie Zapata's review on this book is perfect!
Debbie Zapata's review on this book is perfect!
June 6, 2016
A chronological fictionalized biography of the Apache war chief Geronimo. I read this book right after "Geronimo's Story of His Life" and it was a good supplement to Geronimo's somewhat disjointed autobiography.
August 27, 2016
Very interesting take on the life of Geronimo. Amazing lifestyle and amazing people and sad what happened to them.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews