‘Peace Chiefs of the Cheyennes’ — Get a copy of this book

By Old Hoppy Jan 31, 2010 in Indian Wars, Indians-Native Americans, Old West History

I urge you, if you have any interest in the history and leadership of Plains Indians -- especially the Cheyennes -- to get a copy of this excellent book by historian Stan Hoig, "The Peace Chiefs of the Cheyennes." It was published by University of Oklahoma Press in 1980, and, yes, it IS (or at least at the time I'm writing this article) available to order online directly from University of Oklahoma Press -- and, no, I don't make a plug nickle from the purchase if you go to that link and buy yourself a copy.

(I actually intended to write this brief article about Hoig's book just awhile ago when I started thinking about useful information for finding books about the Old West and wrote the article just before this one. Easily distracted, I guess, as I get older!)

I've owned and enjoyed my copy of "Peace Chiefs" for almost 20 years, and I highly recommend it. One of the initial reviewers of the little book (which won the "Golden Spur" award for best Western non-fiction in 1980 from the Western Writers of America) emphasized Professor Hoig's emphasis on the deep moral character and gentle nature of these Cheyenne leaders dubbed the "peace chiefs." While that's a true and accurate characterization of Hoig's book and the individuals he writes about, it misses a lot of the delight I find in the book.

Namely, it has some excellent period photographs -- and it gives everything from complete chapters to short one-page characterizations of some 20 outstanding Cheyenne leaders. (I dislike the term "chief," as do/did most tribal leaders. "Chief" was a white European term given to people who were given or took important tribal leadership roles. Most often, the best of the "chiefs" were humble and wise individuals who simply thought of themselves as fortunate enough to lead their people. End of sermonette!)

Even the more war-like Cheyenne leaders discussed in Hoig's book would have graciously and gladly avoided hostilities with white men and white culture at all cost, and often did undergo terrible loss and self-sacrifice trying to achieve the best life for their people.

If you do a search on Hoig's name at University of Oklahoma Press you'll find several books he's done about life in the Old West and about white-Indian conflicts. I highly recommend them all. (I've included listings below to his books that are currently available on eBay for your convenience, too.)