Indeh: An Apache Odyssey, with New Maps

by Eve Ball, Dan L. Thrapp (Foreword), Nora Henn (Contributor)

"A fascinating account of Apache history and ethnography. All the narratives have been carefully chosen to illustrate important facets of the Apache experience. Moreover, they make very interesting reading....This is a major contribution to both Apache history and to the history of the Southwest....The book should appeal to a very wide audience. It also should be well received by the Native American community. Indeh is oral history at its best."--- R. David Edmunds, Utah Historical Quarterly

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Native American

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1980

About the author

In the 1940s and 1950s, long before historians fully accepted oral tradition as a source, Eve Ball (1890–1984) was taking down verbatim the accounts of Apache elders who had survived the army’s campaigns against them in the last century. These oral histories offer new versions—from Warm Springs, Chiricahua, Mescalero, and Lipan Apache—of events previously known only through descriptions left by non-Indians.

A high school and college teacher, Ball moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico, in 1942. Her house on the edge of the Mescalero Apache Reservation was a stopping-off place for Apaches on the dusty walk into town. She quickly realized she was talking to the sons and daughters of Geronimo, Cochise, Victorio, and their warriors. After winning their confidence, Ball would ultimately interview sixty-seven people.

Source: http://womenwhowritethewest.tripod.co...

Further reading: http://www.truewestmagazine.com/jcont...

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indeh is composed of first-person accounts from several members of the Apache tribes who were defeated and captured toward the end of the nineteenth century, notably Ace Daklugie, a nephew of Geronimo. The first part of the book centers on the life ways of the Apache during the 1870's and 80's, when they realized that they could not win the war against the "white eyes." (This is why they referred to themselves as indeh<, meaning the dead.) The second part deals with their lives as prisoners either in the mosquito-infested swamps of Florida or elsewhere along the "trail of tears," and with the transfer of children to indian schools like Carlisle. The last section shows their return as they settle on the Mescalero reservation in New Mexico.

Eve Ball does her best to stay out of the way and let the Apaches tell their stories, which is one reason why they trusted her to tell it. It leaves the narrative somewhat patchy, but I'd rather have the story straight from the source than a re-telling that might skew the facts for dramatic effect. It's not a happy story, by the way, but it's one that all Americans should know about.

[Sergio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book tells the story which most americans do not want to hear. In the near past, too many of our ancestors were greedy, mean and cruel to others who were in the way of "progress". Although fiction, Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian is a good companion book to read on this part of american history.

[Bruce Mendelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eve Ball lived for decades on the rim of the Mescalero Apache Reservation. She spent much of her time there speaking with Native Apaches. She eventually gained the trust of many of them. Apaches have a very rich history that is passed down primarily orally. The author had extensive conversations with various Apache people over 3 decades. The result is a very interesting account of the history of the Apaches and of the Southwest told from an Apache perspective. The books is very well organized and contains photographs of essentially all of the relevant characters. There is great information on the spirituality and general family life of this group. I recommend this book highly to anyone who is interested in the history of our Native people.

[Billy Colley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing and Painful

The writing is done well enough, and the story is very interesting. It can be hard to read because of the horrors that the Native American peoples faced, Apache specifically in this book. It remains a fascinating window into a history that is largely glossed over by mainstream America.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book of oral history, it really gives a view into the experience of the Chiricahua, Warm Springs, Mescalero and their cousin Apaches from the 1880s through their imprisonment and eventual release and resettlement in Oklahoma and New Mexico. It is told by the survivors who actually lived through it. A precious collection of memories.

[Curtis Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to hear the different stories not found in any other books. I feel like a lot of the stories were the same. I wish mrs Ball wouldve asked more questions about the apaches culture. So much more i want to know. Welp, on to my 4th book about apaches....

[Andras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, informative. If you are between 30-100 years old it is a satisfying book, if not one of the best historical non-fiction you have ever read. Probably starting with the book: "In the days of Victorio" is a better idea than reading Indeh first.

[Josh Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible book to read
Direct account of what was done to the Apache by the us government
If a compilation of notes from multiple conversation

[Michele Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book. I highly recommend it, especially if you want to see things from the point of view of the Apaches.

[Juan Longoria]

Está bueno, la última parte se vuelve más de la vida en Mescalero, vida cotidiana. EL principio son historias sobre las guerras.

[River James · Rating 4 out of 5]

So thankful people like Eve Ball tried to get these stories down. Painful to hear the atrocities. Enlightening to learn such things as they had no profanity. Pinetop, AZ 2010.

[Adele Karolik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most written history of this nation comes from the perspective of the U. S. military, white settlers or white historians. Eve Ball's determination to interview and record events as seen by the Apache during and after the Indian Wars has brought us a different perspective from that norm. Moving and enlightening, this work is the first of its kind written in 1980 from interviews conducted by Eve Ball in the 1940's and 1950's. Prepare to be edified.

[Erin Bowman]

Really enlightening oral history of the Apaches. Read for research.

[Sean Glover]

I will be wary of misinformation.