Indian Raids and Massacres: Essays on the Central Plains Indian Wars

by Jeff Broome

Indian Raids and Essays on the Central Plains Indian War by Jeff Broome covers incidents in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska from 1864-1870. Each chapter is a story unto itself and the book can be read in any order as well as from the beginning to end. There are two sides to these violent events, and, while the focus is on the Euro-American perspective, the contrary perspective of the Native American is also presented. Broome relies on primary-source documents usually ignored by other authors. Untapped Indian depredation claims housed in Washington DC give the reader a deeper understanding of the terrors of Indian raids, especially when experienced by new settlers to the region. What emerges represents a bold and new history not found in other published accounts. These chapters reflect more than 20 years of Broome's research and writing on the Central Plains Indian War.

506 pages, Hardcover

Published September 11, 2020

Reviews

[Andrew Cioffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really engaging book with many interesting stories from a war that (outside of the Sand Creek Massacre) is relatively unknown to most people. Each chapter is self-contained and the attention to detail and effort to discern the truth is commendable. Highly recommended.

[Jim Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Jeff Broome loves history, accurate history. Details matter to him. Broome has done a masterful job of researching and writing essays which he has assembled in his latest book, Indian Raids and Massacres: Essays on the Central Plains Indian War (2020).
Fortunately for the reader, Broome’s research includes an exhaustive study of Cheyenne Indian depredation claims for losses from 1864-1869 held at the National Archives. These files give voice to settlers from the Wild West, describing their personal loss of life and property.
Broome is no Pollyanna. He describes atrocities from the military on Indians and atrocities on settlers by the military. He understands how one horrific event fueled similar animosity on the other side.
Indian Raids and Massacres gives the reader an accurate look at the Indian War on the Central Plains. The book does not take sides. It’s accurate history worthy of reading.
--Jim Potter, author of Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self Discovery

[E. Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbiased amazing historian.