Watch for Me on the Mountain

Arrived early and condition is as described!

This review will be a short one. I began reading this book because I love historical fiction, in particular, historical fiction about the American West from a Native American perspective. Initially, my thoughts of this book was that it was fairly well-written and enjoyable. Additionally, I know that the author did at least some homework because at least some of the characters in his narrative were accurately named and related. However, I ended up giving up on the book after about 100 pages not because of the writing, but rather due to a visit by one of my closest friends. When my friend saw the book sitting on my kitchen counter, he immediately asked, are you reading that book by "Forrest" Carter? Of course, my response was that I was reading said book.He then informed me that "Forrest" Carter was actually Asa Earl Carter (...), a notorious bigot, racist, segregationist, and former Klansman that "reinvented" himself as a Cherokee storyteller, which he was certainly NOT! Look, the book may be fine of its own merit, but I just could not get past the fact that the author was such a despicable human being. I know that if I continued to read the novel I would be searching every word on every page for traces of his bias and bigotry. Now, I should qualify again that prior to this information about the author coming to my attention, I was enjoying the book. Maybe it is simply my own hang-up that I cannot read the book knowing what I know about the author and, and THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART TO ME, his identity was concealed by the publisher on the book itself. Hey, if I wanted to read a book like Mein Kampf, penned by Adolf Hitler, I would be going into the process knowing who wrote the book and I could accurately consider the views of the author as I read the book. In this case, I felt as though information about the author was being suppressed simply because the publisher must be well aware of the fact that if they disclosed the potentially relevant (Again, the details are relevant to me for context. To some, the information about the author might be far less pertinent that it is for me.) data about the author's history it might turn some of the book-purchasing public off of this item. I felt duped by this tactic.Maybe one day, now being more well informed that when I started to read the book, I might return to the novel and finish it, but for the time being, I cannot get over the author's history and the fact that this information was knowingly withheld on the book jacket. You, as a reader, may have a different opinion; and to that, you are obviously allowed.

Reading THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE prompted me to find other Forrest Carter works. Through Amazon, I discovered the Josey Wales books (terrific). References to Geronimo in those books piqued my interest about this fascinating historical figure, so I ordered WATCH FOR ME ON THE MOUNTAIN. It did not disappoint. Though Carter takes liberties with the story by including personal details about Geronimo which he could not know--thus making it a fictional work--there is a symmetry in his use of history and folklore which is captivating. He tells a great story, and if you are the least bit interested in the spirituality and mysticism that defined this man's life, you will find this book fascinating. Geronimo lived between the earthly and spiritual worlds, giving him great powers which he used to enable the Apache to ward off slavery and death,against huge odds, for twenty years longer than seemed possible. Moving, sad and inspiring, this book brings about heightened appreciation for Native American spirituality and resillency.

Until I read this book, I never had an interest in Native American history. This book was so amazing that I wanted more of the same and have read several Native American books since then. Watch For Me on the Mountain helped me see things from a different point of view. This author has a gift for making you see and feel what he's describing.

If you ever wanted to know more about the Apache nation or Geronimo and what drove him READ THIS BOOK. Also If you enjoyed the movie or books, "The Outlaw Josey Wales" you will like this. It is the same author, but the topic is very different it is about the Apache nation and told only as someone who lived with them could tell their story. Amazing amount of detail and wonderful relay of the history of the Apache people. After reading this I have a whole new understanding of how the Apache people lived and the struggles they faced. Not only from the US government but also from the church and European and Mexican governments.

Heart-wrenching and inspiring account that mixes history and fiction to create an undeniable page-turner

This the third book by Forrest Carter that I've read. The others being Gone For Texas and The Vengeance Trail Of Josey Wales. All are very cinematic and totally enjoyable.. I don't about the accuracy of history in the book but it did make me want to know more about the life and eventually the end of Geronimo and the Apache nation. Like good historical movies it makes you want to know more on it's subject.

It was a enjoyable read as well as containing a good deal of historical significance at least according to Geronimo’s book My Life

I am reading this again after something like 20 years. Don't pay an ounce of attention to the hype about the nasty man the author may have been - clearly something quite extraordinary must have gone on in him to have been able to squeeze such an insighful thing out of him

True or not, this book is compelling reading. I feel that a lot can be learned from this book re relationships and how to tolerate and understand the differences between peoples.

Bought as requested present for someone,they seem well pleased with it as had also read "The education of Little Tree".

Great.

All good