Chief Joseph: The Voice for Peace
Chief Joseph: The Voice for Peace introduces middle readers and teens to a man with a big, heavy heart. Like peace advocates Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi, this great leader of a Nez Perce band understood to the core that violence begets violence. Despite illegal actions and horrific acts against his people, he refused to give in to rage and revenge.
When the U.S. government tried to seize his people's land in the Wallowa Valley of Oregon, he stood firm and negotiated rather than rebel. When ranchers moved onto his land anyway and murdered his friend, he pleaded with them to surrender or leave and kept his warriors from killing the murderers. When, finally, the U.S. Army threatened to remove his people by force to a small reservation in Idaho, he did everything he could to avoid an all-out war that the outnumbered, outgunned, Nez Perce would surely lose.
In the eyes of American citizens, Chief Joseph became both famous and feared as the ruthless leader of a 1,500-mile rampage along a bloody trail of theft and murder. The truth is, he was an extraordinary man of peace whose most famous words are:
"From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
The so-called Nez Perce rampage was, in fact, a long, desperate retreat from five pursuing armies, triggered by the rash killing spree of a handful of warriors. In the summer of 1877, Chief Joseph, the other traditional Nez Perce chiefs, and their 700 or so family members were running for their lives to the safety of Canada.
To his dying day, Chief Joseph remained true to his conviction:
"If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. There need be no trouble."
KIRKUS REVIEW (excerpt):
Hopping wraps her cogent account of how the Nee-mee-pu (Nez Perce) were rooted out of their homeland and only subdued after a long and heroic pursuit around twin character portraits of the group and of its most renowned member. . . . [Chief] Joseph argued for peace before and during the tragic “War of 1877” and in later years too as he became a nationally known figure.
BOOKLIST REVIEW:
Packed with fast action and detailed analysis, these new titles in the Sterling Biographies series blend the stories of Native American leaders with the history of their peoples, distinguishing myth and reality by documenting what really happened and focusing on ordinary people as well as chiefs and warriors. In Chief Joseph, Hopping tells of Joseph’s painful decision to leave his land to save Nez Perce lives, choosing peace because he knew they could not win against the U.S. Photos, maps, and historic prints throughout; also included are a detailed time line, glossary, bibliography, and fully documented notes.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW (excerpt):
Chief Joseph was the Nez Perce’s main negotiator with the U. S. Army, and he made a name for himself through his strong belief in resolving conflict through peaceful means. Although he was promised that the Nez Perce would return to their ancestral lands, they ended up farther east in Montana. Joseph spent the rest of his life advocating for peaceful relations between his people and whites.... In all three [Sterling biography] books, the authors succeed in painting sympathetic yet realistic portraits of their subjects and the cultures in which they lived, especially in the case of Chief Joseph, whose pain at his people’s losses is clearly evident.
GOODREADS REVIEW:
What a wonderful read. The story was captivating and kept my interest... I wonder after reading this book how much our society has actually learned about tolerence and embracing other cultures and their beliefs. I found Chief Joseph an amazing and patient man. All he wanted was peace for his people and to go home to their land. He lost so much but kept fighting to the bitter end with dignity and tolerance, always hoping and praying that the goverment would do the right thing. I loved the way the author explained the political climate and the players... I would suggest everyone read this book. Chief Joseph is an important part of American history.
FAN MAIL FROM A FOURTH GRADE CLASS:
"I like your book Chief Joseph. It has great history. It is a sad Story. I love the tricks they did on the horse. I like how Chief Joseph is a peaceful man." —Mary
"The white men were really, really rude to them!" —Olivia
"This book is sad, but good, too. I agree with Joseph. I think there should be peace." —Mak
"I like how all the Nez Perce have naturous names like Sound of Running Feet." —Anabelle ("naturous"!)
"It is a sad story but a good one. Thanks for writing this great book." —Brendon
"It was hard to read the sad stuff. But it was fun reading the parts like when Joseph finds his Indian name." —Emma
"My favorite character is Frog (Joseph's brother) because I like how he will become the war general. Frog and I have something in common. We are both athletic." —Brendon C.
"I really like your biography. It was really cool. It was really impressive how [Frog] held the horse neck and shot his bow and arrow. It was really cool how [Joseph] wanted to have peace. And it was really nice how he didn't like to kill." —Gabrielle
"I really enjoyed reading your book because it is a real story. I wish everyone could be like Joseph because he tries to bring peace into everything he does." —Anna
"You did a really great job with the emotions of the characters." —Melissa
"I think Chief Joseph is the best book. My favorite part is the tricky way they ride a horse. I just don't know how they do that. Chief Joseph stands fierce. I love this book!! :)" —Kyle
"I think you are a very good author and you should keep on writing biographies." —Keara
"Chief Joseph seems brave and kind. I would want to follow his dream of being in peace with the white people. I really don't see why white men didn't like Native Americans. What did they ever do wrong?" —Elizabeth
"I like the emotion you put into the book. I think the way you described Joseph was very detailed. You are amazing at writing!" —Mackenzie
"I love the book. The character I like most is Chief Joseph's brother Frog, because he is warrior-like. I really related to this book because just like the Native Americans I am a survivor." —Marc
"GREAT book! I had ordered a dozen and bought a few more locally. My students enjoyed it." Patricia (fourth grade teacher