You can also get additional information on this book as well as other books from LPD Press and Rio Grande Books at NMSantos.com.
MyShelf.com Review
Avenging Victorio has received a rave review on MyShelf.com, November 1, 2007:
"After
being chased out of Texas again, Victorio's luck has
run out. The Apache chief and his band are cornered by
the Mexican Colonel Terrazas and his soldiers.
Ninety-three of the Apaches, including twenty-two women
and children, are killed and sixty-three women and
children taken captive.
Outraged by this massacre, the seventy-four year old
Apache, Nana, is bent on revenge against the "white
eyes." He gathers together a rag-tag band of guerillas
to challenge the U. S. Army's Ninth Cavalry in New
Mexico. It is clear to the U. S. government that the
only solution is to capture or kill the elusive
renegades, but these Apaches are as hard to capture as
a wisp of smoke as they carry out raids against
everyone in their path and manage to evade the Army.
This exciting novel is based on well researched
historical fact, and includes characters from the
history books. Lew Wallace, the territorial governor
and acclaimed author of Ben Hur, is friends with
Colonel Edward T. Hatch, who is in turmoil from the
badgering of his superior officers, the press,
politics, and now the Apaches. Billy the Kid is
terrorizing the southern part of the territory, and
other characters and their conflicts add to the
hullabaloo. Dave DeWitt tells us how the Apaches
changed forever when they were shuffled to reservations
and of their resistance to losing their way of life. I
especially enjoyed the details describing the
traditions and customs of the Apache Indians, and their
rituals as they venerate their gods.
DeWitt has a flair for writing about history and the
photographs add to the realism of the characters. He
heats up the action and puts your interest level in
high gear. This powerful and absorbing story of the
Apache rebellion in New Mexico in 1881 had me cheering
for both sides of the conflict, since the Apaches and
the Army are given equal voice in this unique novel
that is one of the best I've read this year. New Mexico
lore really comes alive, and the legend of Victorio's
gold leaves you to ponder the real mystery of the
treasure that may still be out
there."
-- Beverly J. Rowe,
MyShelf.com, November 1, 2007
