Geronimo

His Own Story: The Autobiography of a Great Patriot Warrior

By: S. M. Barrett

Narrated by: Pat Bottino

Length: 3 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is one of the most extraordinary and invaluable documents in the annals of Native American history: the authentic testament of a remarkable "war shaman" who, for several years, held off both Mexico and the United States in fierce defense of Apache lands.

During 1905 and 1906, Geronimo, the legendary Apache warrior and honorary war chief, dictated his story through a native interpreter to S. M. Barrett, then superintendent of schools in Lawton, Oklahoma. As Geronimo was by then a prisoner of war, Barrett had to appeal all the way up the chain of command to President Teddy Roosevelt for permission to record the words of the "Indian outlaw".

Geronimo came to each interview knowing exactly what he wanted to cover, beginning with the telling of the Apache creation story. When, at the end of the first session, Barrett posed a question, the only answer he received was a pronouncement: "Write what I have spoken".

Public Domain (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Bottino's matter-of-fact, unvoiced presentation is a good match for the text. He sounds like a tired 75+-year-old-man reflecting on his life." ( KLIATT)

fascinating.

great story. really enjoyed it. interesting and informative. monotone delivery but learned alot. if your interested in history this is for you.

Great listen

This book was for free with the subscription and I was very pleasantly surprised with how well it was narrated.

Fascinating....

description of the final surrender of the Indian to the tidal wave of settlers. The govt then parades him around the country as a sort of side show Bob.

A different world.

Fascinating reflection and recounting of a poignant time in our history and of a man whose name and life have come to symbolize the plight of native Americans.

Great story

He was not a good man. Killing and stealing was way of life. In has own words!

In his words, sadly redacted by the Army

In Jr High, I was fascinated with biographies of war chiefs like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, but especially the Apaches–Cochise and Geronimo. Geronimo's name evoked daring escapes, the cry heard in every boy’s brave leap. So, I had to take this free audiobook even before I noticed the full title. This is Geronimo's story in his own words, translated by someone he trusted, and published by S. M. Barrett.
Geronimo wasn’t a real chief, yet is perhaps the most famous Apache, rivaled only by Cochise. Known for his bold courage in leading war parties, he was treated like a chief. He became a warrior at 17, married his longtime sweetheart, and had three children. After his father's death, he cared for his mother, who always camped next to him. At 29, while trading in Mexico, his tribe's camp was attacked by Mexican troops, who killed many, including Geronimo's wife, children, and mother, drastically changing him, fueling a lifelong quest for vengeance against Mexicans.
Geronimo’s first contact with white men, probably surveyors, was positive; he found them honest and trustworthy. Later, his thoughts of the US Army were far less favorable. When Mangus-Colorado, his band's chief, and Cochise, another Apache chief, were lured into a peace meeting with the Army and murdered, Geronimo lost all trust, though not with the same hatred as for Mexicans. From 1850 to 1886, he allied with three other Apache bands to raid primarily in Mexico’s Chihuahua and Sonora but increasingly against the US Army in New Mexico and Arizona. His near captures and miraculous escapes became legendary.
In the last decade of the conflict, Geronimo voluntarily surrendered three times just riding with his band to a reservation. However, adjusting to a sedentary life was hard, and his frustration with broken agreements kept leading him to escape. His final escape sparked a year-long pursuit by a large force. He ultimately surrendered to an Apache-speaking officer whom he had met earlier and respected. Though witnesses claimed the surrender was conditional, General Miles later declared it unconditional, making Geronimo a prisoner of war and moving him to Fort Bowie, and then with 27 other Apaches by train to Florida to join the rest of the previously exiledChiricahua tribe there.
Geronimo spent the rest of his life as a prisoner of war, there and in southern Alabam where many of his fellow prisoners died due to the harsh climate. Later, he was moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he dictated his story. Over time, he was paraded as a trophy and became a kind of celebrity.
His story begins with the Apache creation myth and their history and customs, then describes his early life fondly recalling his wife decorating their teepee after their marriage. He tells of finding his murdered family in a direct, unemotional way, yet it's moving as he describes his long silence, refusal to eat, and following his tribe from a distance. He details leading raids into Mexico and, later, against the Army and settlers. He shows intimate knowledge of Army leaders. He also claimed to have converted to Christianity, saying it was superior to their traditional beliefs, though his understanding is unclear.
The Army did not want Geronimo's writings to be published, so Barrett needed special permission from President Theodore Roosevelt. Geronimo expressed his thanks, writing, “I am thankful that the President of the United States has given me permission to tell my story. I hope that he and those in authority under him will read my story and judge whether my people have been rightly treated.”
After Geronimo’s story was finished, Barrett added notes on US and Mexican raids to support Geronimo's actions and included references to corroborating sources including witnesses supporting Geronimo’s version of the surrender. Geronimo had set the agenda for each session with Barrett. When asked a question at the end of the first session, Geronimo simply said, “Write what I have spoken.” But, the Army had to approve the final draft and removed significant parts to protect itself from public criticism.
The book was published in 1906. Geronimo never returned to Arizona. He died in 1909 and was buried at the Fort Sill Indian Agency Cemetery with some family and Apache prisoners. Geronimo still thought of his people. The book ends with these words: “If this cannot be done during my lifetime–if I must die in bondage–I hope that the remnant of the Apache tribe may, when I am gone, be granted the one privilege which they request–to return to Arizona.”
This short book presents Geronimo’s side of the story, and evokes mixed feelings. He killed many, not all of whom were directly guilty, but given the betrayals he faced, his distrust and resistance are understandable. Despite being edited by those he fought against, it remains a firsthand account. Yes, it’s one-sided, but the other side got to edit it. I would love to read what cut and history would have greatly benefited also. Recommended.

Narrator slow, robotic and expressionless

Pat Bottino’s narration style reminds one of the old-fashioned Western movies in which the Indians’ speaking style Is slow, robotic and expressionless. I guess this was done in the movies to portray that the Indians didn’t speak English very well. The plotting, stilted delivery is unlistenable. And the racial stereotype is very tired.

An American treasure

I was interested in this story because my husband heard stories from an elderly neighbor of his old Army days when he guarded Geronimo during his imprisonment in Oklahoma. So I got the book for him to read. Recently I noticed it was available on Audible for free, so I chose to listen to the story dictated to the author after President Teddy Roosevelt permitted it. The interpreter for Geri imo was the son of Cochise, another famous Chieftain of the Apache nation.
While our history books tell of Manifest Destiny, seldom do they tell of the genocide perpetrated on the Native Americans who were present for centuries in the lands of the West.

If you have a chance to listen to this title, or choose instead to read it, you will know the first hand experiences of a great American, a skilled military tactician, and a committed leader of his people.
Awesome and very moving factual account with no trace of self pity.

Short Unabridged Reading

Appreciated what appeared to be the recount of events by Geronimo himself. The end proposes questions to listener. Difficult to sort through this account of events and determine if terms of treaties were actually me without a higher degree of scholarly knowledge on the subjects, including written treaty records. Limited & overview information presented here (not source data). Appreciated the attempt to objectively describe both sides.

Interesting story.

I had never known much about his personal story but now I find that he did lead an interesting life. Though the performance was a little monotone it was still good. Would recommend listening.