Camp Grant Massacre

by Elliott Arnold

Arnold, Elliott, Camp Grant Massacre, The

Hardcover

First published December 31, 1976

About the author

Elliot Arnold was an American newspaper feature writer, novelist, screenwriter, and became a feature writer with the New York World-Telegram. Among his books, Elliott Arnold is probably best known for his novel Blood Brother that was made into the acclaimed 1950 motion picture Broken Arrow and an ensuing 1956 television series of the same name. Among his other works, his 1949 biography of Sigmund Romberg was made into the 1954 musical film, Deep in My Heart.
Elliott Arnold died in New York City in 1980 at the age of sixty-seven. He was married to actress Glynis Johns.

Reviews

[Ross Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elliott's success at capturing the multiple factions involved in the Camp Grant Massacre 100 years after the event, and well before the in-depth histories written about the event that delved into the the perspectives and cultures of the Aravaipa Apaches, the Tohono O'olhams, the Mexicans (recently made American's after the Gadsden Purchase), the AZ Territory Americans of Tucson, and the US Army 3rd Cav stationed at Camp Grant, is a true accomplishment. I didn't expect to be taken in so completely by the book, and I marveled at Elliott's ability to get into the heads of all groups and individuals concerned, including Royal Whitman and Eskeminzin. The history is extremely interesting, as evidenced by the some four other books written about the CGM in the past 10-15 years, with more coming out soon, including a biography of Captain Chiquito, and hopefully soon thereafter a publication of Royal Whitman's as yet unpublished personal journal of the event. Frankly, the book could have continued on another two to three hundred pages to review what happened to Whitman, the Aravaipa Apaches, both Eskeminzin and Chiquito, through the trial of the Tucsonites, well up to the present, when the people of Tucson apologized for what the founding fathers of the city did to the Aravaipa Apaches some 125 years later.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from my father in whom I've discovered is always a good source for good books.

This book is hard to put down from the start. Even the "slower" scenes in the book are still educating you on the different cultures, customs and ignorances prevalent at the time.

The author is very good at gently helping the reader to become invested into the characters within the storyline. Each person is depicted in the realities of human complexity showing the range of what we value and fear.

The book seems to be exceptionally well researched. The worst part of the book is knowing it's a true story and lives were pointlessly lost in the most horrific manner of betrayal and brutality. This book has an emotional impact upon the reader.

I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the truth in history to be shared. Written in novel form it will keep you gripped to each page. Well done. I'll have to look at what else the author has written.