Mystic Warriors of the Plains by Thomas E. Mails (review)

60 Western American Literature Mystic Warriors of the Plains. By Thomas E. Mails. (Garden City: Double­ day, 1972. 618 pages, $25.00.) This is an immense book, with many interesting drawings and illus­ trations in color by the author, who is generally sympathetic to Indians, which is important in bringing about a better understanding between the races. In fact, he tends to idealize them, which does not necessarily benefit them, as it is better to accept them as entirely human, with virtues and faults peculiar to all people. The book represents an enormous amount of research but does not show any real personal contact or close observation of the people them­ selves who are represented in it. In addition to idealizing the Indians at times, Mr. Mails also tends to romanticize and often comes to arbitrary conclusions which are not always correct. Many of his statements, in the light of those who have made personal observations, are merely surmises not based on facts. He is confused about many things: the positions and duties of chiefs, warriors and warfare, medicine men and holy men, tan­ ning methods, flutes, whistles and flageolets, making moccasins, making pemmican, fire making, and particularly about anything connected with archery. Apparently Mails is not a craftsman, for some of his descriptions of craft techniques are completely erroneous. At the same time he writes as if he is completely sure of and well informed on his subjects. He makes statements like, “Some authorities say,” but seldom says who they are. He makes many general statements that do not apply to all of the Plains tribes. In addition to being highly sympathetic and enthusiastic about nearly everything pertaining to Indian life he gives a good essay on sign language and his introduction to the Plains tribes in chapter I is very well done. However, he states that tribes are not fond of the designation “Indian,” whereas in our own experience each tribe uses the term, when speaking English, to designate itself and no others. Mails lists the Kiowa family as limited to the Kiowa tribe but recent classification places them in the Uto-Aztecan group. He also arbitrarily rates the artistic and craft abilities of various tribes but this cannot be done with any degree of fairness. He does make very complimentary statements about Indian women and their role, which many writers have failed to do. He also recognizes the impor­ tance of dance and song in Indian life, which has often been passed over by other writers, but we have to take exception to his observation that there is little dancing connected with Calumet, Sun, and Ghost dances. True, the latter two were not virtuosic but the Calumet Dance entailed some very graceful and pleasing figures and movements. Although Mails is a Lutheran minister he has a very tolerant approach to Indian religion and customs. In fact, his use of the word “God” in place of Indian terms with which we are more familiar, is rather disturbing. Reviews 61 In the final analysis they may all mean the same thing, but the Indian flavor is lost, for to many people the word “God” implies a personal Being, whereas to most Indians, Great Spirit, Great Mystery, or whatever term is used implies the life-force or power in everything. Mails admires the Indian attitude toward nature and the animals with which they were acquainted and he gives a fine discourse on the change effected by the disappearance of the buffalo. His comments on Indian art show appreciation and understanding, with especially good mention of porcupine quill work. But he says the finest quills come from the porcupine’s belly and there are no quills on its belly! In his writing about the Indian wars he credits the final defeat to superior numbers and armament of the white soldiers, but should include the loss of the Indians’ food supply — the buffalo — which was an even greater contribution to their downfall. Mails does occasionally cite a number of outstanding authorities and when he remains consistent with their observations is on safe ground, but the uninformed reader will have difficulty separating the truth from the fiction. His last chapter is especially good...