"There is an old saw in the army which teaches that you can never know a man until after having made a scout with him in bad weather. All the good qualities and bad in the human make up force their way to the surface under the stimulus of privation and danger, and it not infrequently happens that the comrade who at the military post was most popular, by reason of charm of manner and geniality, returns from this trial sadly lowered in the estimation of his fellows, and that he who in the ga...

In "The Medicine-Men of the Apache," John G. Bourke offers a groundbreaking ethnographic exploration of the spiritual and healing practices among the Apache tribes of the American Southwest during the late 19th century. Bourke's narrative blends meticulous fieldwork with a rich tapestry of native lore, utilizing a vivid and descriptive literary style that reflects both reverence and curiosity for Apache culture. This work is situated in the context of the burgeoning interest in indigenous ...

General Crook fought and ended the Apache wars in the American Southwest and travelling and fighting with him was John Gregory Bourke. This is a fascinating account of war first hand and is a must read for anybody with an interest in the military history of the United States. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern edit...

The Medicine-Men of the Apache offers a closely observed ethnography of Apache healers: their rites, chants, materia medica, cosmology, and social authority. Bourke alternates translated incantations with case sketches and careful inventories of paraphernalia, embedding practice within mythic etiologies. Stylistically, it blends taxonomic catalog with vivid field reportage, typical of late-nineteenth-century Bureau of Ethnology work, rich in lexical notes and ritual choreography yet inflec...

"With Crook in pursuit of Geronimo and his band.The author of this book was a U.S. soldier in addition to being a well known and highly regarded author on the Apache Wars of the later nineteenth century-in which he was an active participant. He maintained an interest, respect for and in some measure an affection for the Apaches and he also made a serious study of and wrote notable works on their customs and culture. He is perhaps best known for his classic account of the Apache Wars...

Native Americans: 22 Books on History, Mythology, Culture & Linguistic Studies' emerges as a profound anthology encapsulating an array of perspectives on the rich tapestry of Native American life. Spanning scholarly works on history, culture, and linguistics, to intimate explorations of mythology, this collection masterfully melds rigorous academic study with the visceral narratives of Native American experiences. The diversity within invites a comprehensive understanding, enhanced by stan...

On the Border with Crook is considered one of the best firsthand accounts of frontier army life, as the author of the book gives equal time to both the soldier and the Native American. John Bourke, the author of this book was a captain in the United States Army. He served as an aide to General George Crook in the Apache Wars from 1872 to 1883. As Crook's aide, Bourke had the opportunity to witness every facet of life in the Old West—the battles, wildlife, the internal squabbling among the ...

In "Popular Medicine, Customs and Superstitions of the Rio Grande," John Gregory Bourke offers a meticulous ethnographic study of the rich tapestry of healing practices, folklore, and cultural beliefs prevalent among the communities along the Rio Grande. Bourke's literary style is characterized by a blend of vivid descriptions and meticulous documentation, as he assimilates observations drawn from personal experiences and interactions with local healers, or curanderos. This work not only e...

"Scatalogic Rites of All Nations" by John Gregory Bourke is a fascinating exploration of the cultural significance of human waste across various societies. Bourke delves into the rituals, beliefs, and practices surrounding excretion, revealing how these acts are intertwined with social norms and taboos. Through meticulous research and vivid descriptions, he uncovers the often-overlooked aspects of human behavior, challenging readers to reconsider their perceptions of cleanliness and morali...

An Apache Campaign In The Sierra Madre is a first-hand historical account written by a captain in the United States Army, John Gregory Bourke. The book presents the details of the expedition led by General Crook to the Sierra Madre, in 1883. As Crook's aide, Bourke had the opportunity to witness every facet of life in the Old West—the battles, wildlife, the internal squabbling among the military, the Indian Agency, settlers, and Native Americans, which are all presented in this read.

Dante Alighieri, it has always seemed to me, made the mistake of his life in dying when he did in the picturesque capital of the Exarchate five hundred and fifty years ago. Had he held on to this mortal coil until after Uncle Sam had perfected the “Gadsden Purchase,” he would have found full scope for his genius in the description of a region in which not only purgatory and hell, but heaven likewise, had combined to produce a bewildering kaleidoscope of all that was wonderful, weird, terri...

On The Border With Crook is the account of John Bourke, an aide to General Crook during the Apache Wars.