Chief Joseph And The Neez Perce War Book Analysis

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I Will Fight No More Forever “I Will Fight No More Forever” Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce War by Merrill D. Beal is a book that opens up the readers eyes to the challenging life of the Nez Perce. Beal’s reason for writing this book was to deepen modern Americans view of past Native Americans and show the Indian-white relations of the past. The author also hoped to clear misconceptions and myths about Native Americans, in particular the Nez Perce tribe. The author’s contribution to our understanding of Pacific Northwest history was intended to make us see the vital role Native Americans played in shaping history around this region. Therefore, if it wasn’t for the Native Americans in this region we wouldn’t have much of a human history in this …show more content…

This book has many historical record and eye-witness accounts which include statements from U.S. Army officials, Nez Perce tribal elders, and personal statements from Chief Joseph. Beal stated in the beginning of the book that he was to prepare an accurate, documented historical account of the Nez Perce campaign of 1877. He used great sources like survivors or descendants of those who participated in action, the Library of Congress, National Archives, and contacted all historical sources in general. Beal did acknowledge that some of the sources were biased but in order to present all sides he included this information. As a result, this book is unbiased because it shows both sides to the story.
Chief Joseph would utter these famous words that still live on to this day. “I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. ….It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing. ...Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” These powerful words really do describe in essence the dire situation this chief and his people were in and the great inner anguish he was felt. Therefore, even to this day many find these words piercing their

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