The Last Algonquin

by Theodore Kazimiroff

As recently as 1924, a lone Algonquin Indian lived quietly in Pelham Bay Park, a wild and isolated corner of New York City. Joe Two Trees was the last of his people, and this is the gripping story of his bitter struggle, remarkable courage, and constant quest for dignity and peace.By the 1840s, most of the members of Joe's Turtle Clan had either been killed or sold into slavery, and by the age of thirteen he was alone in the world. He made his way into Manhattan, but was forced to flee after killing a robber in self defense; from there, he found backbreaking work in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Finally, around the time of the Civil War, Joe realized there was no place for him in the White world, and he returned to his birthplace to live out his life alone-suspended between a lost culture and an alien one. Many years later, as an old man, he entrusted his legacy to the young Boy Scout who became his only friend, and here that young boy's son passes it on to us.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Native American, American, Biography, Read For School, Book Club

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1982

Reviews

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The beginning is slow but fascinating and the second part is an amazing story well told. I realized when I was done reading how little dialogue there was in the book. I love how it didn't hamper the book at all since I always have to little dialogue in my works. This is a great piece of literature and I love the author's use of view points. I loved the ending. Again the disclaimer that while this was for school I chose it.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody needs to read this book! It is hard to believe the events of Two Trees's journey were real, and I kept thinking how it seemed like fiction and his story would be an amazing movie. I think this book more than any other I didn't want to put down, I just needed to know what would occur next in the Indian's life. Though there are certain aspects of the book that especially made me like it, I can't see how anyone would not enjoy reading this. Excellent book, one of my favs, read it now!

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book smells like a fabrication to me. Some day I may write in detail why. If it were honestly presented as a novel I might give it two stars.

[Chrisangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating, as well as poignant story, which has special meaning for me, as so many of my family grew up in the Pelham Bay neighborhood (now known as "Schuylerville") and spent a lot of time picnicking, hiking, playing ball and exploring the very park where this book takes place. They never had the pleasure of meeting Joe Two Trees, but it made my dad feel a connection to this story, and "The Last Algonquin" became one of his favorite books.

It's sad to think how much had once belonged to the true Americans, and how much was taken away from them. His heritage being precious to him, Joe Two Trees wanted it to be remembered, and the boy he told his story to remembered it all, and wrote this book.

It's not many pages, and can be read in a day, so I suggest you give it a try, and learn about some history that almost was forgotten.

[Captin Pekoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of the last Algonquin Indian, Joe Two Trees, living on a small island in Pelham Bay New York in 1924, gives you the realization of how the white people came to this country and ignored a part of living native history. Joe tells his life story to a young boy who wanders onto his island to experience nature. Joe saw as the white man's population grew and the once wild areas became developed, he had to hide on his island the later part of his life. Joe tells the young boy of his life so someone could retell it and he would not be forgotten. He said his people were called the Turtle Clan for the tidal cove they would fish at. I did work in New York in Turtle Cove, near where his island is, it still looks as he described it. This is a very moving story and will be sure to pass this book along so Joe Two Trees will not be forgotten.

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, so much for me writing a review, as I first checked out what other people had to say, and I couldn't have said it any better!

This book is special to me, since my parents both grew up in the section of the Bronx now known as schuylerville, and lived close to Pelham Bay Park, where my dad played baseball, they'd go for walks and hiking, and have picnics. They probably walked the same places as Joe Two trees, and since I was raised not far from there, (and made several trips to the park) maybe I did, too!

You learn some valuable philosophy from this book, it can make you have a better outlook. It's also a fascinating glimpse into Native history, from an actual Native, not some author's idea of one.

It's not a long book, but it contains so much. Don't pass it up.

[Celeste Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author calls this a work of historical fiction. Though it was based on the stories told by Joe Two Trees a lone Algonquin living on Pelham Bay NY to a young boy (the father of the author) in 1924, the author filled out the narrative to make it a story thus fictionalizing much of the story. But just the fact that a young boy met a person with these experiences is quite amazing. The 'boy' to whom the Algonquin told his stories went on to become a famed archaeology and historian of the Bronx (as corroborated by Anthropology professor at Columbia and other historians of NYC.)

[Ingrid O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself, throughout the book, comparing the map in the book with a current map. Searching on the internet for images of what was being described. In the end, I cried. I cried for the loss of their lifestyle, for the loss of a man I grew to care about, for the love between a man and his dog. For what was lost in man's quest.

[Corey M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was very compelling and heart wrenching. I cried a good portion of the book. It really tugged on my heart strings. The author wrote in a way that made that really made the time period come to life and conjured strong imagery I can still picture moments vividly in my mind today even though it’s been 15 years since I’ve read this book.

[Stephen Kaminsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the memory of a young boy meeting the last of a tribe of Algonquin natives in the Bronx, is the story of his travels through the city and up through Pennsylvania and New York State before returning to his home in Pelham Bay Park. Throughout is the insight into the conflict between native culture and that of the rising metropolitan City.

[Janice Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

very enjoyable reading

As an old Scouter, I have a natural interest in woodcraft. The story in the book is a fascinating real life history and adventure, made all the more interesting to me by its detailed accounts of the various skills and techniques the Algonquin used in their daily lives.

[Christina Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at the Hagerman Valley Historical Society Museum and ordered my own copy. Theodore Kazumiroff (Jr) is the son of the boy scout that actually encountered Joe Two Trees. Important to note one level of separation between the story teller and the Algonquin.

Despite this, I honor the story and that it was written so it can live on in our lives.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a part of my heritage and so a meaningful story on that basis; however, it is a marvelous narrative that goes on the list of must reads!

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Hard to believe.

[David Garby]

I enjoyed this book very much. Its a good read for all and perhaps would make a good book report for a student.

[Jane T W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating. My mother was born in 1922 and lived near the Bronx River, in Mt Vernon. She said arrowheads were found along the river banks and the fields.

[Katie Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorite books!

[Just.a.little.haiku · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a skeptic. But as much as I could take issue with a white man writing (capitalizing on) this Native American story -- it is Theodore Kazimiroff's father to whom Two Trees told his story and gave his respect, not Theodore Kazimiroff himself -- I'll just evaluate the story itself, not the surrounding circumstances.

The writing of this story, which the author admits has lost something in transmission from Two Trees to Theodore Sr. and then from Theodore Sr. to Theordore Jr., is fair at best. But the story itself - of Joe Two Trees, last of his tribe of Algonquins - is very special and I bet that first oral telling of it in the wigwam was nothing short of magical. The struggle of Joe Two Trees to be Indian or to find himself a place in the white world was very real and very poignant. His struggles came across and I really felt for him, especially when he discussed his loneliness (that he had gone years without human contact, without hearing another human voice, after his parents had died). But his triumphs and his incredible strength and resilience also endured. I'm already so in awe of the beauty of Native American culture - the way they waste nothing, live in harmony with nature. What did the book say about it? Something like, a naturally ecological lifestyle before ecology became a fashionable word.

At one point, Two Trees discusses the great gifts of his life (p. 130) - Tony (an NYC corner store owner who looked out for him), a homeless rabbit (who shared his wigwam for a few seasons), a great bear (whom he killed, thus proving himself as an Indian warrior), Cass (an escaped slave with whom he worked in the coal mines and taught him the true meaning of the word friendship), Sheila (ugh!), and Konoh (his loyal dog and companion). He was so grateful to the Spirit for these things when so many of us have been given so much more than these things and receive them ungratefully. Which is in no way to minimize Joe's experiences or values, but moreso to say that so many of us could learn a lot from Two Trees' attitudes about and way of life (and the Native American way of life more generally).

One of my favorite lines from the book is this one, ostensibly the inner thoughts of Theodore Kazimiroff Sr.: "I felt in my heart that a person who was able to do so many things was not yet old. A man who had so much respect and love for his world could not possibly be ready to leave it" (p.32). In a sense, Joe Two Trees has not left the world - not really. Though the writing down and publishing of this story, he can, in some sense, live forever.

[Moriah Writes-a-lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The beginning is slow bu fascinating and the second part is an amazing story well told. I realized when I was done reading how little dialogue there was in the book and loved how it didn't hamper the book at all since I always have to little dialogue in my works. This is a great piece of literature and history and I love the author's use of view points. I loved the ending and will rant about its many wonderful features (because I love to rant about Indians tough I really don't because i don't know enough to rant. I know you shall all be deeply sad about being deprived of yet another Moriah Rant) even though they all actually happened! I recommend this book to anyone interested in American history or Indians (as I am!).

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

and inspiring read; fills the reader with awe and respect for a lost culture and admiration for a single man who refused to give himself over to the status quo. This book also made me feel ashamed to be descended from this continent's white settlers. That being said, The message of these pages never delved into cliche or political ranting, and that is one of its greatest powers, to make you feel, with a beautiful story that Stands for itself only, and somehow becomes a passage into self examination and examination of this world.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very enjoyable read. Its wonderful that this native american's story was preserved so well, and I appreciated how it helped me see things through his eyes. It is fascinating to me what a person can learn from his environment when he is forced to do so. In a sad way, this man's story proves that it is in fact possible, for a person to be entirely self-reliant with zero dependence on society, and I find that fascinating.

[Brenda Shufelt]

An amazing book about a NYC dentist who began as an Eagle Scout gaining medals in Pelham Bay Park and would leave his office suddenly to pick up artifacts at construction sites...no, it's about the last living Algonquin. Just amazing. I use excerpts in a unit on My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George to teach my Harlem students about living in nature. They are amazed (as am I since I used that word already twice!)

[Maggie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is amazing. I realise it's considered fiction, but the fact is, this is a real story about real people. There are poignant moments, moments of complete unadulterated prejudice, and a story of a lifetime surrounding the days of the Civil War without becoming immersed in it. Even in the eastern US, where it touched heavily, there were small pockets where it wasn't affected by it much at all. The story of Joe Two Trees should never be dismissed as trifling.

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended reading for anyone with a love of history and New York. Joe Two Trees is a memorable, tragic character. Mr. Kazmiroff is to be thanked for preserving this opportunity to marvel at what it must have been like to have been the last of your tribe in a world that has changed beyond understanding.

[Emilie Burack · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in ages! For anyone who, like me, can't be in NYC without trying to picture what it looked like before all the buildings, this is a must read. Theodore Kazimiroff's story of Joe Two Trees, as passed down to him by his father who grew up in the Pelham Bay area in the 1920's, will blow you away. Read it!!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me forever to read, but I really wanted to learn something from it and I was fascinated by the concept and the truth of it. In the end, it was really touching. And made me want to go to the Bronx.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be more of history/memoir than it was. It crossed a bit into the imaginative, but was overall a fun book to read. Don't know that I will recommend it to many, but I really liked walking through the area I live with the characters (esp here in the Bronx and Pelham area).

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing non-fiction recount of a life in the margins of 19th Century New York. Another way of looking at history, from the last man of his tribe, seeing his home transform from under him...I read this book twice. Once over 5 years ago, by chance.

[Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up copy in Strand bookstore in 1987. Wanted to write a screenplay for it. Looked up author in phone book and spoke to him about the screenplay. Started sketching the screenplay out. Never finished it.

[NiaDwyn— · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this book is steady and digestible. Hopefully things will get insightful and tender. I mean, that's what I am looking for.