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The Last Campaign: Sherman, Geronimo and the War for America
Bestselling historian and Pulitzer-prize finalist H. W. Brands follows the lives and battles of General William Tecumseh Sherman and Apache warrior Geronimo to tell the story of the Indian Wars and the final fight for control of the American continent.
William Tecumseh Sherman and Geronimo were keen strategists and bold soldiers, ruthless with their enemies. Over the course of the 1870s and 1880s these two war chiefs would confront each other in the final battle for what the American West would be: a sparsely settled, wild home where Indian tribes could thrive, or a densely populated extension of the America to the east of the Mississippi.
Sherman was a privileged son of Ohio who attended West Point and rose to prominence through his scorched earth campaigns in the Civil War. Geronimo grew up in the Apache tribe, hunting wild game for survival and roaming freely on the land. After the brutal killing of his wife, children, and mother, however, he became a relentless avenger, raiding Mexican settlements across the American border. When Sherman rose to General of the U.S. Army, he was tasked with bringing Geronimo and his tribe into an agreement with the U.S. government pledging that the Apache would live as farmers and ranchers and roam no more. But Geronimo preferred to fight.
The Last Campaign is a powerful retelling of a turning point in the making of our nation and a searing elegy for a way of life that is gone.
William Tecumseh Sherman and Geronimo were keen strategists and bold soldiers, ruthless with their enemies. Over the course of the 1870s and 1880s these two war chiefs would confront each other in the final battle for what the American West would be: a sparsely settled, wild home where Indian tribes could thrive, or a densely populated extension of the America to the east of the Mississippi.
Sherman was a privileged son of Ohio who attended West Point and rose to prominence through his scorched earth campaigns in the Civil War. Geronimo grew up in the Apache tribe, hunting wild game for survival and roaming freely on the land. After the brutal killing of his wife, children, and mother, however, he became a relentless avenger, raiding Mexican settlements across the American border. When Sherman rose to General of the U.S. Army, he was tasked with bringing Geronimo and his tribe into an agreement with the U.S. government pledging that the Apache would live as farmers and ranchers and roam no more. But Geronimo preferred to fight.
The Last Campaign is a powerful retelling of a turning point in the making of our nation and a searing elegy for a way of life that is gone.
404 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2022
180 people are currently reading
1509 people want to read
About the author
H.W. Brands
103 books1,181 followersH.W. Brands is an acclaimed American historian and author of over thirty books on U.S. history, including Pulitzer Prize finalists The First American and Traitor to His Class. He holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his PhD. Originally trained in mathematics, Brands turned to history as a way to pursue his passion for writing. His biographical works on figures like Franklin, Jackson, Grant, and both Roosevelts have earned critical and popular praise for their readability and depth. Raised in Oregon and educated at Stanford, Reed College, and Portland State, he began his teaching career in high schools before entering academia. He later taught at Texas A&M and Vanderbilt before returning to UT Austin. Brands challenges conventional reverence for the Founding Fathers, advocating for a more progressive and evolving view of American democracy. In addition to academic works, his commentary has featured in major documentaries. His books, published internationally and translated into multiple languages, examine U.S. political, economic, and cultural development with compelling narrative force. Beyond academia, he is a public intellectual contributing to national conversations on history and governance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 11, 2022
What a great book by Brands on the Indian War in the US. Brands is, in my opinion, our best Historian/Author and his books are filled with accurate research, and this book is just an example of this. Here he turns his eye on the Indian Wars, and he is no revisionist, which he accurately notes were going on for hundreds of generations before Europeans came to the US. He even says when the tribes from Europe (meaning England, French, Spanish, etc.) came to the new world they merely joined into the war that was already waging! See what I mean, accurate history and writing. Anyway Brands looks at the expansion of the US and the many Indian Wars fought by our military. William Tecumseh Sherman, after the Civil War, was made the head of the US troops and did what had to be done. You see notes from his diary, along with speeches he made, the conflict between how he felt and the job he had to do. Also, many chapters deal with Native American tribes and the battles. It really was a war of attrition that ended in the Northern Plains with the surrender of Chief Joseph, and finally the capture and surrender of the Apaches and Geronimo. As is pointed out, there were good and there were bad among the soldiers, the settlers and the Indians. And I really came away with a well-rounded view of these wars. Brands goes out of his way to be fair-handed, something you rarely see lately, and is not afraid to point out the good and the bad in all sides of this campaign. Read this with an open mind and you will be surprised at the history of the Indian Wars. A fast-paced, action packed journey to the frontier and all the names we are familiar with (and some unknown until now) and this is must another reason why H.W. Brands is our best American Historian!
See my full review of this and other books at www.ViewsonBooks.com
See my full review of this and other books at www.ViewsonBooks.com
November 30, 2022
The title doesn’t accurately describe this book. Geronimo is only a very small part of the book, and there was no direct conflict between Geronimo and Sherman. The book is much more expansive than that and describes the decades of war between the army and Native Americans in the western United States. It is a familiar story of lies and killing as the Native Americans were forced from their homes and herded onto reservations. What stood out to me about this book was the extensive use of large excerpts from contemporaneous records, including accounts from Native Americans. It was beyond disturbing to see their perfectly logical arguments and heartfelt requests repeatedly ignored.
I listened to the audiobook that I borrowed from the library. Be warned that there were some audio difficulties. It sounded like parts of the book were re-recorded and improperly inserted into the book. The change in vocal quality was quite noticeable and the sound was no longer stereo. It was a little jarring when this happened. Could have been just my copy. Nevertheless, I recommend the book.
I listened to the audiobook that I borrowed from the library. Be warned that there were some audio difficulties. It sounded like parts of the book were re-recorded and improperly inserted into the book. The change in vocal quality was quite noticeable and the sound was no longer stereo. It was a little jarring when this happened. Could have been just my copy. Nevertheless, I recommend the book.
December 26, 2022
I am an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and lived the early part of my life in the high plains of Texas near Palo Duro Canyon, Adobe Walls, and then served in the military stationed at times at Fort Sill. I commend Mr. Brand for correctly portraying these locations in an accurate manner while providing a balanced history of the "last campaign". There is nothing fair about war, both sides are filled with scoundrels, liars, thieves, undisciplined warriors, and the like during times of conflict. This author does an excellent job of providing a long-term history using a few well-known greats, some called heroes while others have the title of savage.
I especially like the Adobe Walls chapter featuring Billy Dixon and his legendary long shot with his Sharps buffalo gun that arguably led to the final battles of the Plains Indian Wars.
Near the end of the book, Mr. Brands includes a quote by William T. Sherman, "There probably never was a just cause why men should slaughter each other by wholesale, but there are such things as ambition, selfishness, folly, madness, in communities of individuals ---." Great thought about man's solution to big issues
A very good read.
I especially like the Adobe Walls chapter featuring Billy Dixon and his legendary long shot with his Sharps buffalo gun that arguably led to the final battles of the Plains Indian Wars.
Near the end of the book, Mr. Brands includes a quote by William T. Sherman, "There probably never was a just cause why men should slaughter each other by wholesale, but there are such things as ambition, selfishness, folly, madness, in communities of individuals ---." Great thought about man's solution to big issues
A very good read.
September 26, 2022
The title of the book is a little misleading as only the last part of the book details the fight with Geronimo and the Apaches. It is a good overview of the actions taken against the American Indians after the civil war. It includes Cochise, Santana, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Chief Joseph and Geronimo. There are a number of more detailed books written about each of the above for those who are interested in a more thorough coverage of their lives and campaigns.
I received a free ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.
I received a free ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.
December 11, 2022
Just not what I expected. It is basically a review of the post Civil War clashes between the army and the various western tribes. It is just a slow read with too much information covering every skirmish to battle. I found it didn't flow and at time times turned into endless dissertations and quotes by various actors in the book. Even, emotional pleas by the native tribes lose there effect as they seem to go on and on.
February 11, 2024
Fantastic book, brands never fails to exceed expectations. The book has a much bigger scope then I expected, it covers many different native groups and different generals as well and shows a certain level of understanding of the differences in cultures between a society that’s new and growing and a society that’s older and doesn’t want to vanish.
May 29, 2023
I am ashamed to admit that although I love history, I've not spent much time on the aspect of history involving American Indians. Therefore, H. W. Brands book "The Last Campaign" made up for that deficiency on my part.
Brands did a good job of introducing a great deal of first person narrative of the individuals involved without the sentimental bias so common when discussing this topic. In some cases, the extensive narrative somewhat slowed down the telling of the story but this is a small price to pay for the authentic material.
Although the cover portrays the book as the conflict between Sherman and Geronimo, it actually covers a great deal more ground highlighting the roles of both other generals and tribal leaders. Some readers may find this dishonest since these two men compose a relatively small part of the book but it is probably a marketing angle rather than the author's original intent.
I came away with a much deeper understanding of the factors involved in this tragic chapter in America's history.
Brands did a good job of introducing a great deal of first person narrative of the individuals involved without the sentimental bias so common when discussing this topic. In some cases, the extensive narrative somewhat slowed down the telling of the story but this is a small price to pay for the authentic material.
Although the cover portrays the book as the conflict between Sherman and Geronimo, it actually covers a great deal more ground highlighting the roles of both other generals and tribal leaders. Some readers may find this dishonest since these two men compose a relatively small part of the book but it is probably a marketing angle rather than the author's original intent.
I came away with a much deeper understanding of the factors involved in this tragic chapter in America's history.
December 1, 2022
The searing saga of the conquest of the West in the decades following the Civil War seen through the eyes of formidable Native American leaders like Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph and Geronimo as well as commanders of the U.S. Army, not least the inimitable General Sherman, who were tasked with their removal. These many years of murder and retaliation were filled with more blood, sweat and tears than most Americans today appreciate. In his usual clear and dramatic style, Brands tells the poignant tale of our country's bloody westward expansion.
December 15, 2022
Not really a fan of the style if I have to be honest. It feels like the book is mostly composed of direct quotes. I'd have liked more exact dates, names, place names, and some more context. The book doesn't even live up to its name, Sherman and Geronimo are really just side characters to tell the story of the wars against Native Americans after the Civil War. You would think by the name that the book is some sort dual-biography of both men.
March 19, 2025
This is a fantastic, even-handed account of the Indian Wars of the 1870s and 1880s. The Indian Wars took place during the time of American westward expansion; during the rise of the boom towns along the path of the Transcontinental Railroad; and the ever-expanding commercial transactions spreading west -- American economic growth fueled by vast natural resources (timber, mineral deposits, gold and silver mines galore), and new tools of commerce: the creation of public stock companies; a nascent banking system anchoring western flow of investment capital -- aaaah! . . . what heady times!). The fundamental forces of supply and demand -- the demand for western natural resources in the manufacturing facilities of the East and Chicago Midwest, and the demand for a commercial banking and business incorporation system to facilitate the movement of capital from where it was to where it was needed to be.
The only problem with this book is a minor one -- based on the title of the book, and the author's stellar reputation as a first rate historian, I THOUGHT I was buying a book about Sherman and Geronimo. Sherman is surely the star -- the main character. But Geronimo? Pfffft -- he's a bit player who appears in a cameo role in the last 20% of the book.
But, the title mismatching the content is a minor quibble. This is one excellent book about the Indian Wars that cleared the way for America's economic miraculous growth and its ultimate manifest destiny. But, in horrific detail, the author never fails to remind the reader, in often gruesome detail, that America's fortune came at the huge expense of the Native American population.
MORAL of the story: wherever you look, as new lands were once discovered, the colonists arriving without fail shafted (in the name of "progress") the indigenous people who essentially wanted to be left alone.
"Progress" worldwide seems to be a zero-sum proposition -- an I win you lose, game. There should have been a better way, right?
The only problem with this book is a minor one -- based on the title of the book, and the author's stellar reputation as a first rate historian, I THOUGHT I was buying a book about Sherman and Geronimo. Sherman is surely the star -- the main character. But Geronimo? Pfffft -- he's a bit player who appears in a cameo role in the last 20% of the book.
But, the title mismatching the content is a minor quibble. This is one excellent book about the Indian Wars that cleared the way for America's economic miraculous growth and its ultimate manifest destiny. But, in horrific detail, the author never fails to remind the reader, in often gruesome detail, that America's fortune came at the huge expense of the Native American population.
MORAL of the story: wherever you look, as new lands were once discovered, the colonists arriving without fail shafted (in the name of "progress") the indigenous people who essentially wanted to be left alone.
"Progress" worldwide seems to be a zero-sum proposition -- an I win you lose, game. There should have been a better way, right?
December 19, 2022
The basic construct of the book is to describe the last campaign of the US military against the American Indians in the West once the Civil War had ended. It was basically a war of demographics, geography, and culture as there were only about 400,000 American Indians at that time as compared to about 30 million European Americans, many of whom were anxious to head West now that the Civil War was over. Brand marks Geronimo's surrender in 1886 as the end of the war against the American Indians (hence the title of his book). By then there only 250,000 American Indians as opposed to 60 million European Americans, giving an air of inevitability to the last campaign.
What makes this book a fascinating read is Brands' reliance on contemporary sources, as the book is peppered with dialogue from diaries or interviews of or with the key players and other commentators on both sides of the conflict. One thing that becomes clear is the sheer brutality on the part of both sides. War is hell indeed. Another is the degree of miscommunication between two wildly different cultures that simply did not understand each other. I found hearing these actual voices from the past made this history come alive. For example, at the end, To hear General Miles and Geronimo each describe the terms of his surrender in such wildly different ways was heartbreaking. Was one of them lying? Was the interpreter flawed? Did it matter? What I knew by then was that Geronimo's band was reduced to a group of eleven: he was utterly defeated.
What makes this book a fascinating read is Brands' reliance on contemporary sources, as the book is peppered with dialogue from diaries or interviews of or with the key players and other commentators on both sides of the conflict. One thing that becomes clear is the sheer brutality on the part of both sides. War is hell indeed. Another is the degree of miscommunication between two wildly different cultures that simply did not understand each other. I found hearing these actual voices from the past made this history come alive. For example, at the end, To hear General Miles and Geronimo each describe the terms of his surrender in such wildly different ways was heartbreaking. Was one of them lying? Was the interpreter flawed? Did it matter? What I knew by then was that Geronimo's band was reduced to a group of eleven: he was utterly defeated.
April 2, 2023
In The Last Campaign H.W. Brands retells the story of the 19th c struggle between indigenous Americans and white settlers. Civil War figures like Generals Sherman, Sheridan, Stoneman , Custer and Crook all found second careers fighting the Sioux, Comanche , Apache, and Nez Pierce on the plains. It’s a sorry tale of broken treaties, greed, racial supremacy and wanton violence. No proud American exceptionalism here. Brands tells the stories well but his linkage of Geronimo and Sherman is disjointed.
July 13, 2025
Was hoping for a more detailed look and deep dive into the lives and policies of Sherman and Geronimo. Both are compelling individuals in their own right. The book read more like a general history textbook of the west and its Native American politics of the 1800s. The book broadly touches on a lot of groups and instrumental individuals within those groups. My expectation going into the book was a narrative driven through the unique perspectives of Sherman and Geronimo. In reality, Geronimo was featured at the start and end of the book while Sherman popped up a bit more.
December 9, 2022
The Last Campaign: Sherman, Geronimo & the War for America
HW Brands
The author provides an indepth accounting of the “Indian Wars” in the west. He described events such as Adobe Walls which get much less attention in other books. He provided background on the players.
Importantly, I did not detect an agenda or bias; he recognized and described the positive and negative actions and characteristics of the players.
I do have to wonder if the title was chosen to sell books more than being descriptive. While Sherman and Geronimo do figure prominently, the narrative is much more far ranging than their involvement.
If you have an interest in the subject, I would recommend the book. Mr. Brands is a reliably informed and entertaining historian.
HW Brands
The author provides an indepth accounting of the “Indian Wars” in the west. He described events such as Adobe Walls which get much less attention in other books. He provided background on the players.
Importantly, I did not detect an agenda or bias; he recognized and described the positive and negative actions and characteristics of the players.
I do have to wonder if the title was chosen to sell books more than being descriptive. While Sherman and Geronimo do figure prominently, the narrative is much more far ranging than their involvement.
If you have an interest in the subject, I would recommend the book. Mr. Brands is a reliably informed and entertaining historian.
December 19, 2022
There's a really good, thin book buried somewhere inside this pretty good, fairly thick book--one that is a better match for the title. I thought this would be the westward expansion book that would fill in some of my knowledge gaps around the Apaches, in general, and Geronimo, specifically, and that it would add to my understanding of Sherman's post Civil War career.
It did that, but not to the extent implied by the title or the thickness of the book. James McBride tried to write a biography of James Brown but came up short in his hunt for material. He still published Kill Em and Leave, but the book disappointed me, the final product feeling padded and somehow eked out. The Last Campaign left me feeling the same way. The chapters on the Plains Indians and the Nez Perce didn't seem so much like context setting as they did like filler for plumping out this popular history book.
It did that, but not to the extent implied by the title or the thickness of the book. James McBride tried to write a biography of James Brown but came up short in his hunt for material. He still published Kill Em and Leave, but the book disappointed me, the final product feeling padded and somehow eked out. The Last Campaign left me feeling the same way. The chapters on the Plains Indians and the Nez Perce didn't seem so much like context setting as they did like filler for plumping out this popular history book.
January 25, 2023
History of Sherman and the Indian Wars
A very good thorough history of the Indian wars. Told from different perspectives and how the Indian Wars in American History.
A very good thorough history of the Indian wars. Told from different perspectives and how the Indian Wars in American History.
June 16, 2024
The information is fascinating the presentation is not. You know how there are those non-fiction books that read almost like novels in how they draw you in? This isn’t one of them.
January 15, 2023
Nice tight historical book. Covered all of the Indian wars. Lots of good background
November 23, 2022
As I would expect from Brands a very good book. The author does not tell the simple story of conflicts where one side is right and the other wrong, he tells the complicated story and more accurate history.
And as usual he tells it in the very readable that his style makes. The title may be somewhat misleading in that others besides Sherman and Geronimo are talked about a great deal, But when he does right of them it is done well. A great deal to learn. Enjoyed the book very much.
And as usual he tells it in the very readable that his style makes. The title may be somewhat misleading in that others besides Sherman and Geronimo are talked about a great deal, But when he does right of them it is done well. A great deal to learn. Enjoyed the book very much.
December 10, 2022
Disappointing
It's well written and interesting but I caught an omission in it that bothered me. I had hoped that it would have had more about Geronimo
It's well written and interesting but I caught an omission in it that bothered me. I had hoped that it would have had more about Geronimo
February 5, 2025
Very insightful book. Interesting to learn about Sherman and his approach to dealing with his different engagements
December 18, 2022
A sad story, well told, relying often on quotes of participants in the campaigns.
May 11, 2023
This is a richly detailed re-telling of the Indian wars of the 19th century and includes many Native accounts. The reader comes away with a fuller sense of the tragedy and the inevitability of the end of the tribes’ former way of life.
April 25, 2023
Brands is a great historical author. He frames the Indian wars as just a continuing clash between waring tribes with the European arrivals as just a new tribe. From the cover I thought it would cover Sherman and Geronimo more. There is some intro on these two great men, but the middle 60% covers the other Indian wars including Captain Jack with the Modoc's in Oregon, Young Joseph with the Nez Perce in Washington/Idaho, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull with the Sioux, the Trail of Tears, and many others. The Native American nomad ways and westward expansion property rights could not co-exist and hostilities occurred on both sides. Sherman and Grant tried to be civil but politically were forced into action multiple times by attacks.
During the Civil War, and battles with other Indian's north allowed the Apaches to pursue their usual life unmolested. I was surprised to learn that the majority of their clashes were with the Mexicans. In the end Geronimo was taken as prisoner of war to Florida and eventually Oklahoma where he farmed, became a Christian and lived into the 1900's. Brands is great but I felt like the sub-title oversold Sherman and Geronimo and was truly more about the War for America.
During the Civil War, and battles with other Indian's north allowed the Apaches to pursue their usual life unmolested. I was surprised to learn that the majority of their clashes were with the Mexicans. In the end Geronimo was taken as prisoner of war to Florida and eventually Oklahoma where he farmed, became a Christian and lived into the 1900's. Brands is great but I felt like the sub-title oversold Sherman and Geronimo and was truly more about the War for America.
April 17, 2023
Basically, it comes down to a review of the conflict between the encroaching whites and the indigenous peoples of the West in the 2nd half of the 19th Century seen through then eyes of the man responsible for the conduct of that campaign and the eyes of some of those principals who fought against him.
My big objection, and I've said it many times before, is that a book like this requires more than just maps on the inside covers. I find myself constantly looking in other places for the settings I'm reading about in the text. As many times I've read about this stuff, I need maps to orient myself. Good maps.
Two stories that stand out in my mind from the narrative both involve frontiersman Billy Dixon. The author does a great job in using Dixon's own words in relating the fight at Adobe Walls in 1874 and the "Buffalo Wallow' fight later in the campaign. Makes your hair stand on end!
Kudos to the author for giving Native American leaders like Joseph, Geronimo and Sitting Bull their say.
My big objection, and I've said it many times before, is that a book like this requires more than just maps on the inside covers. I find myself constantly looking in other places for the settings I'm reading about in the text. As many times I've read about this stuff, I need maps to orient myself. Good maps.
Two stories that stand out in my mind from the narrative both involve frontiersman Billy Dixon. The author does a great job in using Dixon's own words in relating the fight at Adobe Walls in 1874 and the "Buffalo Wallow' fight later in the campaign. Makes your hair stand on end!
Kudos to the author for giving Native American leaders like Joseph, Geronimo and Sitting Bull their say.
March 21, 2025
Hard to digest all the back and forth wars, treaties broken, cheating and manipulation in the early years of the United States. I really enjoyed this book, tho Geronimo wasn’t spoken about as much as I thought he would be.
One quote I really loved from Sherman when talking about the relationship between politics and military affairs:
“Addressing the graduates of a military academy in Michigan, Sherman said, “there will always be a need for [politicians’] talents, unfortunately. Governments pursue peace, safety, and happiness for their people but rarely attain this for long. The United States is no different in this than other countries in this respect. Though peace has been the ever controlling genius of our laws and institutions, we are forced to admit that what ministers to the happiness of one class and race, often works to the misery of another.””
One quote I really loved from Sherman when talking about the relationship between politics and military affairs:
“Addressing the graduates of a military academy in Michigan, Sherman said, “there will always be a need for [politicians’] talents, unfortunately. Governments pursue peace, safety, and happiness for their people but rarely attain this for long. The United States is no different in this than other countries in this respect. Though peace has been the ever controlling genius of our laws and institutions, we are forced to admit that what ministers to the happiness of one class and race, often works to the misery of another.””
March 9, 2023
The Vanquishing Of The Native Americans
A sad and deplorable story of the clash of cultures. While greatly outnumbered the native tribes fought bravely but were undone by treachery time and again. Well laid out history giving time to both sides of the story.
A sad and deplorable story of the clash of cultures. While greatly outnumbered the native tribes fought bravely but were undone by treachery time and again. Well laid out history giving time to both sides of the story.
January 20, 2024
Interesting premise but the writing was tremendously LAZY! It was transition sentence - enormous quote. Transition sentence - enormous quote. Transition sentence - enormous quote. I’m shocked a publisher would let him get away with this.
January 19, 2023
Excellent source for information about the history of the western United States.
May 12, 2024
Sometimes difficult to read about the American Indians and how they were treated. Lots of details in this book. The author obviously did a lot of research.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews