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"I Will Fight No More Forever": Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce War
In this superb summation of the ethnohistory of the Nez Perce tribe containing also careful analyses of the military campaigns and political events and a wholly balanced review of facts, opinions, and previous evaluations of the situation and circumstances within have colored the evidence, we have what seems to be the last word...
393 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 22, 2020
This was the first book I ever read that focused on the Nez Perce War of 1877. I read it over 30 years ago in 1990, and it started, for me, what has become a lifelong passion to completely understand everything about this amazing and tragic event in American history. To say that this book had an impact on my life would be an understatement.
Since my initial reading I have read at least 15 other books on the Nez Perce people – their history, their culture, and the land that is so beloved to them. My subsequent continued study of the subject has also driven me to visit many of the different locations in which these events took place.
Upon my second reading, however, I realized that this book falls a little short of what I remembered it to be. The biggest shortfall, in my humble opinion of course, is that it focuses too much on the white man's viewpoints of the events that transpired (and conversely, too little on the Native American viewpoint). It also is completely lacking of maps of any kind to give their additional insights and understanding of the paths traveled and the battles fought.
Still, this is a wonderful book – one that I would gladly recommend to most anyone who is interested in this tragic tale.
Since my initial reading I have read at least 15 other books on the Nez Perce people – their history, their culture, and the land that is so beloved to them. My subsequent continued study of the subject has also driven me to visit many of the different locations in which these events took place.
Upon my second reading, however, I realized that this book falls a little short of what I remembered it to be. The biggest shortfall, in my humble opinion of course, is that it focuses too much on the white man's viewpoints of the events that transpired (and conversely, too little on the Native American viewpoint). It also is completely lacking of maps of any kind to give their additional insights and understanding of the paths traveled and the battles fought.
Still, this is a wonderful book – one that I would gladly recommend to most anyone who is interested in this tragic tale.
June 17, 2008
I attended grade school on an Indian reservation and this story was shown in movie form every year during Indian week. I have always loved this book. Here is a quote, from Chief Joseph,to depict how the book got it's title:
"Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Too-hul-hul-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
"Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Too-hul-hul-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
May 7, 2012
Read this over 30 years ago when I was reading everything I could get my hands on about the American Indians and our government's wars to exterminate them.
Heartbreaking. Right up there with Bury My Heart in Wounded Knee.
Heartbreaking. Right up there with Bury My Heart in Wounded Knee.
October 3, 2013
I was raised in Idaho so I am familiar with the territory in which this story took place and with the history of Chief Joseph. The following heart wrenching quote by Chief Joseph is one of the finest speeches that have been uttered on our continent, in my estimation.
"Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Too-hul-hul-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
"Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Too-hul-hul-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
August 8, 2017
One of the more influential books in my life, though it's been years since I read it.
January 9, 2020
Interesting history and commentary on the Nez Perce War and the ensuing resettlement efforts. Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce nation are portrayed as an industrious and noble people. U.S. local and regional military and government officials are described as largely fair people trying to carry out the responsibilities given them.
I often wish people at that time had much of the compassion and judgement we seemingly can now afford in the early 21st Century. Perhaps the accommodation of immigrant and existing people might have been more just. Perhaps not. Alas, “Manifest Destiny” and the inherent self-centered nature of humans then drove the takeover of their lands and resources and the destruction of many Native Americans cultures.
I often wish people at that time had much of the compassion and judgement we seemingly can now afford in the early 21st Century. Perhaps the accommodation of immigrant and existing people might have been more just. Perhaps not. Alas, “Manifest Destiny” and the inherent self-centered nature of humans then drove the takeover of their lands and resources and the destruction of many Native Americans cultures.
August 7, 2020
Mowed through the last of this book and I gotta say this is not a happy tale. Chief Joseph was a visionary and charismatic warrior and leader. The things people at that time did to the indigenous peoples of this country is straight up appalling. This was a great glimpse into a time that none of us should forget and yet be grateful that we were not around to experience.
Was this a good read? It was excellent and filled with triumph and tragedy. It is written in a fashion that flowed well about a subject that most folks wouldn't want to delve deeper into. It needed to be documented and written about and I am a better man for having read it. Having Cherokee blood in me, it matters. History fans might like this and you should give it a read. I'm glad I did.
Danny
Was this a good read? It was excellent and filled with triumph and tragedy. It is written in a fashion that flowed well about a subject that most folks wouldn't want to delve deeper into. It needed to be documented and written about and I am a better man for having read it. Having Cherokee blood in me, it matters. History fans might like this and you should give it a read. I'm glad I did.
Danny
January 1, 2019
Long long ago top of list favorite history book.
1/1/'19 - Article of interest*
https://isreview.org/issue/73/flight-...
ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1805, a group of Nez Perce Indians gave salmon and berries to the members of a frozen and starving Corps of Discovery, the team of explorers led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, in what is present-day Idaho. Seventy-two years later, defeated and starving, an elderly Nez Perce man, Halahtookit (Daytime Smoke)—the son of Clark and a Nez Perce woman—died as a captive of the U.S. government.
1/1/'19 - Article of interest*
https://isreview.org/issue/73/flight-...
ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1805, a group of Nez Perce Indians gave salmon and berries to the members of a frozen and starving Corps of Discovery, the team of explorers led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, in what is present-day Idaho. Seventy-two years later, defeated and starving, an elderly Nez Perce man, Halahtookit (Daytime Smoke)—the son of Clark and a Nez Perce woman—died as a captive of the U.S. government.
November 10, 2020
Probably the best book to be found specifically on the Nez Perce War of 1877 for those who don't want to be overwhelmed with military and background detail. Fantastic!
August 7, 2016
I can't believe this is still such a popular book on the subject. The author's perspective on Native Americans is painfully condescending and eurocentric. I ditched the book pretty quickly after the first few chapters repeatedly referred to the native populations as "heathens" or "uncivilized" and described how missionaries were "bringing civilization" to them. No, dude. They had a civilization. We destroyed it. Beal relies exclusively on white sources as far as I can tell, and made no effort to ask the Nez Perce themselves what happened. For an account that actually takes into perspective the (primary!) native perspective on these events, see Kent Nerburn's biography of Chief Joseph. Skip this one.
April 9, 2023
"When will the white man learn to tell the truth?" still resonates. This book, though very dry with places and names, is heartbreaking.
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January 29, 2024"Surely the willful raiders deserve to be censured, but they should also be understood. They were disconsolate, homeless, and desperate. From the beginning of time, angry, distraught men have attempted to solve complex problems by recourse to summary acts. These Nez Perce youths were not degenerates; men of their fire are called patriots when their causes succeed. Inevitably, when a combination of pressures and influences brings the status of a libertyloving people into jeopardy, an explosive situation evolves" (p. 48).
At the surrender, Chief. Joseph spoke: "I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. The old men are all killed. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led the young men is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills and have no blankets, no food; no one knows where they are, perhaps freezing to death. I want time to look for my children and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever." (p. 229)
"All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. You might as well expect the rivers to run backwards as that any man who was born a free man should be contented penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases. . . . If you pen an Indian up on a small spot of earth, and compel him to stay there, he will not be contented nor will he grow and prosper. I have asked same of the great white chiefs where they get their authority to say to the Indian that he shall stay in one place, while he sees white men going where they please. They cannot tell me. I only ask of the Government to be treated as all other men are treated. If I cannot go to my own home, let me have a home in some country where my people will not die so fast. . . Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other, then we shall have no more wars. We shall be all alike -- brothers of one father and one mother, with one sky above us and one country around us, and one govemment for all. Then the Great Spirit Chief who rules above will smile upon this land, and send rain to wash out the bloody spots made by brothers' hands upon the fare of the earth. For this time the Indian race are waiting and praying" --Chief Joseph, 1879 (p. 288)
"An account of Chief Joseph's life in 1892 was recorded by Erskine Wood, the thirteen-year-old son of C. E. S. Wood, aide- de-camp to General Howard during the Nez Perce war. As an expression of friendship, Joseph invited this young man to be his guest, and Wood spent two three-month periods at Nespelem and then wrote down his observations. . . . Wood was greatly impressed by Joseph's regard for the son of a former enemy. A half-century later, in the Wenatchee Daily World of June 13, 1956, Wood's feelings were recorded: "He took me into his tepee and into his heart and treated me as a son.... We ate together, hunted deer together, and slept together. I can say truthfully, knowing him was the high spot of my entire life." (p.298-299)
At the surrender, Chief. Joseph spoke: "I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. The old men are all killed. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led the young men is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills and have no blankets, no food; no one knows where they are, perhaps freezing to death. I want time to look for my children and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever." (p. 229)
"All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. You might as well expect the rivers to run backwards as that any man who was born a free man should be contented penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases. . . . If you pen an Indian up on a small spot of earth, and compel him to stay there, he will not be contented nor will he grow and prosper. I have asked same of the great white chiefs where they get their authority to say to the Indian that he shall stay in one place, while he sees white men going where they please. They cannot tell me. I only ask of the Government to be treated as all other men are treated. If I cannot go to my own home, let me have a home in some country where my people will not die so fast. . . Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other, then we shall have no more wars. We shall be all alike -- brothers of one father and one mother, with one sky above us and one country around us, and one govemment for all. Then the Great Spirit Chief who rules above will smile upon this land, and send rain to wash out the bloody spots made by brothers' hands upon the fare of the earth. For this time the Indian race are waiting and praying" --Chief Joseph, 1879 (p. 288)
"An account of Chief Joseph's life in 1892 was recorded by Erskine Wood, the thirteen-year-old son of C. E. S. Wood, aide- de-camp to General Howard during the Nez Perce war. As an expression of friendship, Joseph invited this young man to be his guest, and Wood spent two three-month periods at Nespelem and then wrote down his observations. . . . Wood was greatly impressed by Joseph's regard for the son of a former enemy. A half-century later, in the Wenatchee Daily World of June 13, 1956, Wood's feelings were recorded: "He took me into his tepee and into his heart and treated me as a son.... We ate together, hunted deer together, and slept together. I can say truthfully, knowing him was the high spot of my entire life." (p.298-299)
March 30, 2020
The treatment of the First Nation people by the United States government is a deep blemish on our history. Lied to, tricked, bullied, and wantonly murdered, it's amazing that there are descendants from any tribes today. Beal's book, well-researched if repetitious, provides anecdotal evidence as well as recorded reminiscences of the battles of the Nez Peace people who were desperately trying to hold on to their homeland. The rampant deception in our governmental leaders today is nothing new. Neither are the attacks on those most unable to defend themselves. This is most disheartening and shows how little progress we have made as a "civilization."
August 30, 2021
A detailed and thorough relating of the events of the Nez Perce War of 1886, and the despicable treatment of Chief Joseph's band of Indians after their surrender. After all, he died of a broken heart. It is a worthwhile read, although it is long on military strategy. Told from the White man's viewpoint, but still sympathetic to the plight of the fleeing Indians, who, if they couldn't go back to their homeland, only wanted to escape to Canada. Sadly, they were just 40 miles from the border when they surrendered.
July 27, 2018
Truly awful, flawed, and dated “scholarship” that subscribes to the idea that of course American Indian tribes would be forced to give up their labs and conform. I only managed 40 pages before deciding that I couldn’t get through it. The paternalistic writing, overt racism, and repeated statements of opinions and disproven beliefs as “fact” was too much, particularly in the seemingly fact-optional world of July 2018.
April 14, 2020
An exceptional tale of heroism and suffering. Beal balances an entertaining narrative with supporting historical documentation. He provides just enough of the history of the Nez Perce to support the main story of the conflict between the non-treaty Nez Perce and the US Army. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would and can’t wait to go back to Montana where I grew up and view the landscape with new appreciation for what transpired there.
March 26, 2021
Kurt's 4* review here is extremely accurate and reflects my personal view. I would add that it appears that Beal was quite thorough in his research. I was hoping that the Owhi account listed in Will Henry's Acknowledgements would be referenced here, but it appears to have not been included. There are more recent historical and fiction works on the Nez Perce ordeal which I will probably add to my 'to read' list headed by Yellow Wolf's narrative.
August 28, 2021
Detailed and informative. At times suffered from a lack of overarching themes and identifiable characters—it was at the end of the book that most of the involved parties were discussed in depth. But still an enjoyable read.
June 19, 2024
I couldn't finish this book. Although well researched as it's sadly outdated and clearly told from a non-native point of view.
Fortunately there are newer and more balanced books today discussing the Nez Perce and Chief Joseph.
Fortunately there are newer and more balanced books today discussing the Nez Perce and Chief Joseph.
October 26, 2019
I !OVE THIS STORY I ALSO LOVE THIS BOOK. ——- LOVE THS TITLE ——CHIEF JOSEPH. .
December 25, 2019
A classic
July 2, 2016
One of the great sagas of American History. Author Beal sets out the reasons for the Nez Perces 1877 uprising in Idaho. He then presents chronologically, the various battles as the Nez Perces endeavored to leave Idaho for Canada, as peaceably as possible. Pursued by federal troops, the two factions fought several skirmishes before the Indians surrendered just 40 miles south of the Canadian border. After the initial depredations caused by a few high strung bucks, the Nez Perces sought to leave the country peaceably and endeavored to avoid armed conflict. They only responded militarily when attached by federal troops. Chief Joseph viewed himself as more a guardian of his people and not their military leader. Most decisions were made by the chiefs in various war councils. The Indians' military tactics were extolled and they were judged by the federal soldiers and settlers for their overall excellency of their generalship and fighting capabilities (many of the warrior were shapeshooters). An excellent read.
October 12, 2010
My heart breaks for Joseph and the Nez Perce. "When will the white man stop lying?" A simple question, really, but I fear the answer is never. This should be essential reading for everyone. The first 2/3 plods through the history and battles and movements and migrations and Indians and generals, but any dryness is more than made up for by the emotional final third and the fact that every child in the U.S. should grow up knowing this story although few do. I was inspired to read this by my grandfather (who was born/raised in Utah/Idaho a mere decade or two after Joseph died) because he always quoted Joseph's "I will fight no more forever" statement. Now that I know the story, it packs even more of a punch.
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February 25, 2016I have to admit that I did not finish this book. It has nothing to do with the quality of this book however. I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I just don't like non-fiction as much as I used to. I would say that if you like non-fiction, history in general, native americans, 19th century history in particular or US history or the Old West you really should read this book. It gives insight into the Nez Perce indians, military strategy, etc. To some this book I'm sure would be well worth the read but I couldn't get into it. I wouldn't let that put you off though. Read this book, at least try it and see for yourself if you like it.
August 14, 2011
When I was a child, one of the things I enjoyed most was when my father read to me. I will fight no more forever was one of the most memorable books that he read to me. So memorable that I returned to it once I reached adulthood.
The story is compelling, marking a chapter in American history that hasn't been given its due. I was enthralled by the history, but the story, and the characters were not as compelling. They werarchetypeses that existed to express the history.
I expect that I will read this book to my children, but it is more educational than entertaining.
The story is compelling, marking a chapter in American history that hasn't been given its due. I was enthralled by the history, but the story, and the characters were not as compelling. They werarchetypeses that existed to express the history.
I expect that I will read this book to my children, but it is more educational than entertaining.
November 28, 2008
Typical Indian history in the States in 1877. Peaceful Nez Perce tribe doing what was asked, of them but setting on land the whites wanted. Chief Joseph, a peace loving man was forced to teach the US Army how to fight using delaying tactics that are still taught. It was bloody and the last historic war of the American Indians and a noble Chief. If you’re interested in American Indians, this must be read.
June 10, 2010
This is a book for my youthful Classical Summer Book Club. A very dry read, written years ago with historical documents, accounts of battles, and lists of the living and the dead. Well, all of them are dead now actually. Yet it is important to remember and honor those who came before us. This is an example of what happens when a Nation becomes a conquered peoples.....why we must defend well America militarily against all threats.
August 28, 2007
An excellent and in-depth account of the story of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce fighting the US Army during the settlement of the West. Goes into the stories of not just the Nez Perce, but also the other tribes involved in the rebellion, and the misunderstandings and mistakes on both sides that led to the bloodshed.
Dry at times, but thorough and impartial.
Dry at times, but thorough and impartial.
September 7, 2007
While rafting and then visiting friends in north central Idaho, I finally read this history of the Nez Perce war. This excellent history describes the confluence of conflicting needs and desires which led to a war no one wanted that killed hundreds. I was most struck by the Nez Perce efforts to avoid doing violence even to white settlers as they fled their homeland for safe haven.
July 19, 2013
Heartbreaking, horrifying, a true testament to man's ability to inflict inhumanity on his fellow man; After reading this I was left with a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach and a sense of loss I still feel today after all those years. This book haunts me, and it should; some things should never be forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews