by Dave DeWitt
258 pages, 16 photos
$24.95 hardcover (ISBN 978-1-890689-26-1)
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REVIEWS
TRUE WEST MAGAZINE
Colonel Edward Hatch, commanding the Military District of New Mexico Territory at Santa Fe, learns his constant harassment of the Apache war chief Victorio pays off south of the border. Mexican rifles wipe out the raider and his band October 15, 1880 But, another Apache chief decides on revenge. In just six weeks the reputedly decrepit Nana leads forty warriors across the Territory killing over fifty Americans. Then, an officer trailing Nana finds fifteen million in stolen gold in one of Victorio's mountain caches but is killed after informing the Colonel. Though planning on becoming the richest retired officer in the army, Hatch is finally forced to take to the field after Nana. Boarding a southbound military train he heads for Fort Selden. There, fate awaits him. News that Nana has vanished completely reaches Hatch, but he remains unaware of vengeful warriors who prepare to salute his coach with dynamite. This swiftly moving tale of death and revenge has long needed to be told. -- True West Magazine, October 2007
NEW MEXICO MAGAZINE
Fighting the Apaches is not like fighting the Mexicans or the Confederates, it's more like fighting ghosts," assesses Col. Edward T. Hatch in Avenging Victorio. These comments by the wary officer reflect his frustration in the Army's inability to capture Nana, an Apache war chief who, in retaliation for the death of his fellow warrior, assailed the New Mexico territory in the late 1800s. Author Dave DeWitt effectively fictionalizes the events following the death of Victorio, an Apache war chief who rebelled against the impoverishment and, arguably, enslavement of his people. A newcomer to the historical fiction genre, DeWitt is renowned for his knowledge of chile peppers and has published more than 30 books, most of them cookbooks. Now the "Pope of Peppers" turns his attention to the fiery conflict between the territorial Army and the Apache tribe. DeWitt's storytelling weaves together the perspectives of the opposing sides, providing insight into the events of the period, and the personalities, motivations and cultural differences of the key players in the conflict. Thinking the Apache threat vanquished with Victorio's death, Col. Hatch (for whom the town of Hatch is named) struggles once again to appease the demands of his commanding officer and the governor, protect the citizens of the territory and assuage his wounded pride. Although Victorio's death is the initial impetus for the quest, the mission soon expands to retaliating for other warriors' deaths-such as Mangas Coloradas, protecting Apache rights and ensuring their survival. Nana and his warriors are cunning tacticians, using guerilla warfare to raid for supplies and kill as many "Blue Coats" as possible. DeWitt describes the ceremonial scenes and the relationships between characters with a clear dedication to authentically represent the culture. The dynamic narrative format builds suspense as the reader eagerly awaits the discovery of which strategies will ultimately accomplish each side's goal--defeating the enemy. DeWitt's characters sometimes display a prescience that can only be possible with today's knowledge, such as allusions to the town of Hatch becoming famous for chile and a young Apache's visions that his people would someday profit from gambling, These moments, however, create a kinship between a contemporary reader and the usually intangible characters of New Mexico's past.-- New Mexico Magazine, September 2007
Dave DeWitt, known as the “Pope of Peppers,” makes an auspicious fiction debut in Avenging Victorio. The novel highlights the 1881 Apache insurgency, a series of skirmishes in New Mexico Territory led by an aged elder named Nana in revenge for the murder of the great-war chief, Victorio, at the hands of the Mexicans. The prose periodically reverts to history lesson instead of fictionalized account at the beginning, but this effect fades as the reader is brought up to speed and the story’s momentum builds. DeWitt superbly portrays the cultural differences and motivations between the Apaches and the U.S. Army commanders, making it hard to sympathize completely with either camp. No matter the side chosen, the promise of upcoming battle grows like a hunger, each further encounter eagerly anticipated, and the intriguing cast of real-life personages, including Colonel Edward T. Hatch, Kaytennae, Lieutenant John Guilfoyle, Geronimo, and the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry, brings this historical episode to vibrant life. — POSH Magazine, Fall 2007
"After being chased out of Texas again, Victorio's luck has run out. The Apache chief and his band are cornered by the Mexican Colonel Terrazas and his soldiers. Ninety-three of the Apaches, including twenty-two women and children, are killed and sixty-three women and children taken captive. Outraged by this massacre, the seventy-four year old Apache, Nana, is bent on revenge against the "white eyes." He gathers together a rag-tag band of guerillas to challenge the U. S. Army's Ninth Cavalry in New Mexico. It is clear to the U. S. government that the only solution is to capture or kill the elusive renegades, but these Apaches are as hard to capture as a wisp of smoke as they carry out raids against everyone in their path and manage to evade the Army. This exciting novel is based on well researched historical fact, and includes characters from the history books. Lew Wallace, the territorial governor and acclaimed author of Ben Hur, is friends with Colonel Edward T. Hatch, who is in turmoil from the badgering of his superior officers, the press, politics, and now the Apaches. Billy the Kid is terrorizing the southern part of the territory, and other characters and their conflicts add to the hullabaloo. Dave DeWitt tells us how the Apaches changed forever when they were shuffled to reservations and of their resistance to losing their way of life. I especially enjoyed the details describing the traditions and customs of the Apache Indians, and their rituals as they venerate their gods. DeWitt has a flair for writing about history and the photographs add to the realism of the characters. He heats up the action and puts your interest level in high gear. This powerful and absorbing story of the Apache rebellion in New Mexico in 1881 had me cheering for both sides of the conflict, since the Apaches and the Army are given equal voice in this unique novel that is one of the best I've read this year. New Mexico lore really comes alive, and the legend of Victorio's gold leaves you to ponder the real mystery of the treasure that may still be out there." -- Beverly J. Rowe, MyShelf.com, November 1, 2007
"Avenging Victorio is indeed a fast-paced, fascinating, historical novel bound to entertain and educate at the same time. DeWitt's technique of telling this tale from two perspectives–the Apache’s and the military–provides a truer sense of history and the cultures. As I live in the four-corners area just north of New Mexico, I personally enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy historical western-type novels. Genre: Fiction/SW History; Rating: Excellent" -- MidWest Book Reviews, September, 2007, and Kaye Trout's Book Reviews, August 21, 2007
Apache Retaliation
Avenging Victorio” is a dramatic moving story of an enslaved people whose way of life was completely destroyed and changed forever. A rabble band of Apache warriors led by an elderly man rose up against the U. S. Army Ninth Cavalry to revenge the death of the highly esteemed war chief Victorio. Using guerilla warfare, armed with revolvers or rifles, as well as poisoned arrows which became missiles of death, the Apaches attacked in surprise raids against the Blue Coats of the white man’s army. They were also guilty of massacring innocent men, women, and children. The Apache’s took advantage of the US and Mexico border escaping to Mexico to evade the American army stationed in the territory of New Mexico. After Victorio’s return to Mexico, and subsequent death, Colonel Edward Hatch, commander of the Military District of New Mexico was faced with a new dilemma. “…his problems were equally divided between the Apache renegades, the politicians, his superior officers, and the press.” It became obvious his only solution was to capture or kill the Apache leader. The elderly Apache leader, Nana, expressed his philosophy this way: “Every struggle whether it is won or lost strengthens us for the next one to come. Sometimes, as we have seen from Victorio’s death, we need to be defeated so that we may gain the strength and courage necessary to be victorious again. Our war of vengeance has proven this to be true.” Colonel Hatch describes the Apache presence this way, “Fighting the Apaches is not like fighting the Mexicans or the Confederates…It’s more like fighting ghosts. They are an enemy you cannot see, cannot find, and cannot kill. Yet they can strike at you when you least expect it and then disappear into the landscape.” This is historical fiction at its best. I especially appreciated DeWitt’s detail in describing the traditions, customs, and celebrations of the Apache Indians. I was also intrigued with De Witt’s insight into the prayers, songs, and ceremonial dances. His depiction of their communication with the supernatural was powerful. The careful attention to details, comprehensive research and expressive reporting added greatly to the enjoyment of this action packed historical novel of the early 1880s. This is a book for every American citizen to read and pass along to their offspring. The story is a reminder of the high price paid by the frontiersman and settlers of the West. It is also a reminder of the high price paid by the American Indian in their attempt to maintain their land, culture and way of life. Brilliantly written. this is a story that will haunt the reader long after the cover is closed on the last chapter.-- Midwest Book Review, November 2007 and Amazon.com, September 26, 2007
READERVIEWS.COM Dave DeWitt's "Avenging Victorio" is a simply splendid account of Apache insurgency in New Mexico in 1881. Although written as a novel, and therefore falling into the category of fiction, it gives the impression of standing firmly on its foundation of extensive research and extraordinary sensibility of the author for a quite sensitive situation. After the death of one of the great Apache chiefs, Victorio, the U.S. Army believes the Apaches to be completely defeated. The event is even celebrated under the thin guise of a Governor's Christmas party, where the official hostess is no other than Evelyn Hatch, wife of Colonel Edward T. Hatch, former General in the great Civil War. The settlers in the New Mexico Territory expected the danger to be over, convinced that there is nobody strong enough to organize the Apaches again. Little did they know... Nana, the 74-year-old war chief, takes on the task of avenging Victorio and, with his rag-tag group of warriors, sweeps through New Mexico in a series of guerilla warfare raids, killing civilians and evading the Cavalry as well as the legendary Buffalo Soldiers. The insurgency is a success, the battle is won -- but we all know that the war was lost as far as the Indians were concerned. Dave DeWitt created engaging and believable characters on both sides of the conflict, showing their motivation and their beliefs. The parts of the book that truly surprised me and that turned out to be my favorites are those that deal with the customs and traditional ways of the Apaches. There are tales and legends and vivid descriptions of bathing and fighting and dancing...and courting and dreams... and even a hidden treasure. So the book that I expected to be just a historical novel about the early days of New Mexico turned into a well-rounded volume about fighters on both sides of the encounter as well as a very eye-opening read about the Apache culture and customs. I also greatly enjoyed the 16 photographs which wonderfully illustrated both the setting and the participants in this epic confrontation. Dave DeWitt's "Avenging Victorio" is an enthralling book, which grabs you quickly and does not let go. If you are like me, your only disappointment will be that it ends too quickly. -- ReaderViews.com, August 2007
BellaOnline.com
New Mexico author Dave DeWitt, the founder of Chile Pepper magazine, has turned his hand to historical fiction, and has produced a riveting novel that traces the Apache insurgency in the New Mexico Territory in 1881, called "Avenging Victorio." "Avenging Victorio" is an exciting novel that includes historical figures, Apache customs, and New Mexico events, all put together with a flair for action and adventure, and interesting characters. There's Lew Wallace, the governor of the New Mexico territory who wrote Ben-Hur, General Hatch, for whom the famous chile town in New Mexico is named, Billy the Kid, Geronimo, Cochise, the Apache War Chief Nana, and of course, Victorio. Included in the book are familiar locations and battles, a glimpse into the past of Santa Fe and its famous Palace of the Governors, and the food that is legendary in this region. Dave DeWitt enthralls us with a tale that is at once fast paced, exciting, and full of interesting historical lore. A thoroughly engrossing tale, that winds around New Mexico like the Apaches who used to roam these lands, and embodies the true spirit of New Mexico culture. The story follows a leftover band of Apache warriors that includes women, children, and elders; they are all that remain of the Apaches that have escaped reservation life. These warriors fight back against the Ninth Calvary, raiding trains, and wreaking havoc on rail lines, telegraph lines, towns, and anything else they come across, while introducing the Buffalo Soldiers to guerilla warfare. The Ninth Calvary is also followed in this tale, from Santa Fe to Fort Cummings, and everywhere in between, as they try to engage this renegade bunch of Apache warriors. Using Navajos and Apaches as guides, the soldiers attempt to find the Indians, who disappear into thin air, and hide in plain sight. This is a thoroughly engrossing tale that takes the reader on a legendary journey. The story of the hidden Apache cache of gold and jewels at Victorio's Peak that has been intriguing treasure hunters for decades, is also included in this fascinating tale. It is hard to describe all the myriad details that have been intricately woven into this well researched book, there are so many included. For historical value alone, this book is a winner, yet it will intrigue you with its tales, its characters, and its sense of location, pulling you deeper and deeper into its depths, until you find yourself fully absorbed and engrossed in the territorial history of the late 1800s, never wanting it to end. I have never enjoyed a historical novel as much as I did this one. It is not at all what you would expect history to be, and is written unlike other history tales, not by the victors, but by all who made the history, no matter which side they were on, are given a voice in this book. This is a true historical account of the Apache Insurgency in New Mexico in 1881. -- BellaOnline.com, August 9, 2007
KAYE TROUT'S BOOK REVIEWS
Avenging Victorio is indeed a fast-paced, fascinating, historical novel bound toentertain and educate at the same time. DeWitt's technique of telling this tale from two perspectives--the Apache's and the military--provides a truer sense of history and the cultures. As I live in the four-corners area just north of New Mexico, I personally enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy historical western-type novels. Genre: Fiction/SW History. Rating: Excellent. -- Kaye Trout's Book Reviews, kayetrout.blogspot.com, August 21, 2007
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
"David DeWitt makes the transition from cookbook author to novelist with ease in Avenging Victorio. He demonstrates considerable flair for characterization and for action as he convincingly presents both sides of the conflict between white settlers and Apache natives in this well researched and fascinating historical novel." -- Judith Van Gieson, Southwest author "New Mexican chile impresario David DeWitt's new novel tells the story of the Apache Nana and his clan avenging Victorio's defeat at the hands of General Edward Hatch, for whom the chile capital is named, in the southern mountains of New Mexico. It also tells the tale of the hidden Bridal Chamber cache of gold, silver and precious stones that still lures treasure seekers to Victorio's Peak. A tasty historical novel of the territory in the 1880s."--Ruth E. Francis, book marketing consultant "Rich in authentic detail of Apache life ways and war practices, this book vividly recreates one of the last major episodes of Indian raiding in the desert Southwest. Once started, I found DeWitt's engrossing book hard to put down. Powerful and absorbing!"-- Marc Simmons, author and historian
About Best-selling Author Dave DeWitt
Dave DeWitt is one of the foremost authorities in the world on chile peppers and spicy foods. Dave researched and wrote numerous magazine and newspaper articles on chile peppers in the late 1970s. In 1984, St. Martin's Press published his first cookbook, The Fiery Cuisines, co-authored with Nancy Gerlach. That book is still in print more than twenty years later by Ten Speed Press. In 1987, Dave and Nancy approached a local publisher, and the three launched Chile Pepper magazine with a mere 212 subscribers. By 1995, with Dave as the editor-in-chief, the magazine had surpassed 50,000 subscribers with a total circulation exceeding 80,000. The magazine was sold in1996 and Dave launched Fiery Foods & Barbecue Business Magazine, a trade publication. The magazine project led to numerous books, including The Whole Chile Pepper Book (Little, Brown, 1990), which now has nearly 100,000 copies in print and recently had its tenth printing. Dave has 31 published books to his credit. He is also producer of the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show, the trade show for the multi-billion dollar Fiery Foods and Barbecue industries, now in its 13th year. His book The Chile Pepper Encyclopedia (William Morrow, 1999) won the award "Best Spice Book in English" at the 1999 World Cookbook Awards at Versailles. His latest book, again with Nancy Gerlach, is Barbecue Inferno: Cooking with Chile Peppers on the Grill (Ten Speed Press, 2001). In 1995, his book, A World of Curries, was nominated for a James Beard Award. National TV appearances include "American Journal," Cable News Network, "The Today Show," "Home with Gary Collins," "Scientific American Frontiers," "Smart Solutions," and "CBS Sunday Morning." He has also been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, American Way, Smithsonian, and approximately 200 newspapers across the country.
Why this novel...
Why would a mostly nonfiction writer who's known as the "Pope of Peppers" write an historical novel about an Apache raid in New Mexico in 1881? Because it was there and it was a terrific story. "I first ran across accounts of Nana's raid during research for a book about New Mexico mysteries that never was completed. The story surfaced again while I was working on a travel guide, New Mexico, that was completed and was published by Texas Monthly Press. Of course, I kept a physical file of every clipped article, photocopied book, and old newspaper records of the time, recovered from microfiche. The story continued to intrigue me over the years and I considered writing a documentary history of this raid. Too narrow, I concluded. And then the idea of turning the story into a novel hit me. After I decided to write the story as fiction, I realized that even more research was needed, which included understanding"--as much as a White Eye can--about this particular Apache culture. It sort of became an obsession. The amount of Apache cultural information in Southwestern university libraries is overwhelming, and I buried myself in the stacks, attempting to understand customs, traditions, and rituals. By contrast, the information on the U.S. Army side of the conflict was much easier for me to comprehend, especially considering the fact that I was brought up as a military brat and did my high school term paper research at the U.S. Army Library in the Pentagon, where my father worked for the Department of Defense. The actual writing of the novel was easier than all the research. First, I was no stranger to novels, having majored in literature at the University of Virginia and received an M.A. in the subject at the University of Richmond. Then I taught composition and literature at Virginia Commonwealth University for three years. Second, I had written several novels before Victorio and Nana caught my attention, and one was even published: The Mute Strategy in 1979. Third, history had provided me a plot and a timeline, so all I had to do was fit in characterization, dialogue, and the Apache and Cavalry lore that I had learned during my research. Thus Avenging Victorio is about historical events, I have tried to be as accurate as possible. I have also tried not to take sides in the conflict depicted here, but I must confess that I felt sympathy for the Apache as an essentially enslaved people whose way of life had been completely destroyed. Hopefully, readers will find this story to be as fascinating and moving as I have found it to be."