What do you think?
Rate this book
Forlorn Hope
On a June morning in 1877, 109 soldiers and civilian volunteers attacked a small band of Nez Perce Indians camped in White Bird Canyon, in what is now central Idaho. This account of that event is considered one of the best about the beginning of the Nez Perce War. McDermott's account of the battle, from both Indian and white points of view, is considered by many experts one of the best books ever written on an event from the western Indian wars.
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 14, 2021
John D. McDermott's Forlorn Hope: The Nez Perce Victory at White Bird Canyon is the definitive history of the battle that took place along White Bird Creek in present day Idaho County, Idaho, in 1877. McDermott provides very detailed information concerning the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath using contemporary information and the published and unpublished recollections of participants associated with the battle. McDermott classifies the Battle at White Bird Canyon as one of the three major battles where American troops were soundly defeated by Native Americans - the other two being the Fetterman Fight (1866) and the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876).
The book is footnoted throughout providing both source information and biographical sketches of a large number of participants and observers of the uprising, including citizens residing in the area. Also included is an appendix that provides a transcript of the proceedings of the military court of inquiry examining the events surround the Battle of White Bird Canyon. Not only does the inquiry provide detailed information about the battle, but also clearly shows how various military officers positioned themselves so as to protect the integrity of their military leadership. Photographs, an extensive bibliography, and index are also included in the book.
My only criticism of McDermott's book concerns maps. A total of three maps are provided in the book, which seems light for a work focused on the details military battle. Additional maps could have been included that better traced Native American, troop, and settler movements over the course of the uprising and battle. I would have also liked to have learned about the Battle of the Clearwater (July 10, 1877), which took place one month later to the northeast of White Bird Canyon and involved the same parties.
The book is footnoted throughout providing both source information and biographical sketches of a large number of participants and observers of the uprising, including citizens residing in the area. Also included is an appendix that provides a transcript of the proceedings of the military court of inquiry examining the events surround the Battle of White Bird Canyon. Not only does the inquiry provide detailed information about the battle, but also clearly shows how various military officers positioned themselves so as to protect the integrity of their military leadership. Photographs, an extensive bibliography, and index are also included in the book.
My only criticism of McDermott's book concerns maps. A total of three maps are provided in the book, which seems light for a work focused on the details military battle. Additional maps could have been included that better traced Native American, troop, and settler movements over the course of the uprising and battle. I would have also liked to have learned about the Battle of the Clearwater (July 10, 1877), which took place one month later to the northeast of White Bird Canyon and involved the same parties.
April 13, 2012
Reason sent back: Non-fiction, war
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews