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Blending American history with believable fiction, this pseudo-biography follows the adventures and exploits of Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood, who helped tame the west in the decades following the American Civil War. Through a willingness to listen and learn, and a strong moral compass and belief in human rights, Gatewood is able to earn the trust of the Native scouts that make up the bulk of his unit. Unfortunately, these same attitudes that make him popular among his men cause problems for the advancement of his military career and his relationships with his own superiors. From early patrols and getting acclimated to the harsh southwest to a last-ditch diplomacy mission to negotiate the surrender of Geronimo, Gatewood's legacy is one that plays a deep role in late nineteenth century American history.
The general philosophy behind this book's approach is to take the known facts about Lieutenant Charles Gatewood and spice up the unknown with reasonable narration and interaction that would be expected from any historical fiction book. Readers don't have to be history buffs to appreciate the twilight hours of the American "wild west" as the army does its best to control an angry and segmented population of displaced Native Americans. Gatewood's tale adds an important bit of humanity and entertainment to this educational and intriguing story, and his philosophies and attitude toward people of all races shines through in his exploits. As appealing as "cowboys and Indians" might be for younger readers, moments of violence and passion as would be expected in war and new marriage respectively punctuate the different chapters of Gatewood's life and may only be suitable for older readers. Whether interested in American history or not, this title relays a criminally unsung man's deeds in order to retell them for a new generation, and is worth discovering.