The Oatman Massacre

A Tale of Desert Captivity and Survival

By: Brian McGinty

Narrated by: Tom Sleeker

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The Oatman massacre is among the most famous and dramatic captivity stories in the history of the Southwest. In this riveting account, Brian McGinty explores the background, development, and aftermath of the tragedy.

Roys Oatman, a dissident Mormon, led his family of nine and a few other families from their homes in Illinois on a journey west, believing a prophecy that they would find the fertile "Land of Bashan" at the confluence of the Gila and Colorado Rivers. On February 18, 1851, a band of southwestern Indians attacked the family on a cliff overlooking the Gila River in present-day Arizona. All but three members of the family were killed. The attackers took thirteen-year-old Olive and eight-year-old Mary Ann captive and left their wounded fourteen-year-old brother Lorenzo for dead.

Although Mary Ann did not survive, Olive lived to be rescued and reunited with her brother at Fort Yuma.

On Olive's return to white society in 1857, Royal B. Stratton published a book that sensationalized the story, and Olive herself went on lecture tours, telling of her experiences and thrilling audiences with her Mohave chin tattoos.

©2005 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2014 Redwood Audiobooks

Interesting look into history

This was an intriguing story that gave me a mental glimpse of how difficult traveling across the country by wagon was back in those days. I'm glad I read it.

Historical events not all accurate

Overall, author did a good job providing a good round telling of the tale. But, knowing some of the facts myself, they are not all accurate in the telling. But, keeping an open mind, to prejudices conceived or imagined, it was a great telling of a bit of our past history.

The Road to Hell

If you could sum up The Oatman Massacre in three words, what would they be?

Hatred And Survival

What did you like best about this story?

The return of Olive and seeing her brother alive and Lorenzo seeing Olive alive.

Have you listened to any of Tom Sleeker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

I went to the town of Oatman, which is named after Olive and one the residents had the luck to actually meet some of the Oatman family back east and people who knew them. The donkeys roam free in the town and they are the funniest to watch. They walk on the sidewalks and poke their heads inside the door of the stores. My friend make the mistake of rolling down her window and a donkey had his whole head inside the car. When I slowly drove a few feet forward to park the car, the donkey just walked with the car with his head still in the window.Way too funny. An incredible experience.

Great History Lesson

Impressed on how the author looked at all points of view regarding race! Very informative!

Too long

The story is a great history lesson, but it goes into way too much detail off topic.

SNORE

An indifferent and bizarrely cold account of what could have been an exceptional and heart wrenching tale. A serious snooze fest. Save your credit.

Not this one

Save your credits!!
Olive Oatman’s story is one for the books. Just not this one. I love history, but it has to engage me which never happened within the first two chapters. I decided not to waste any more of my time and switched to something else. I will be removing this one from my library as well.

Boring

Like a high school history reel that a substitute teacher plays, which is sad because I love history.
Boring and did not engage me. Felt like work to listen.