How would you have met the challenge of the gigantic Mangas Coloradas, chief of the fierce Apaches? --

Of Roman Nose, fearless war leader of the Cheyenns? --

Or of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, the great Sioux chieftains, who were more than a match for Custer and his ill-fated men?

For nearly a century trappers, gold-seekers and settlers, moving across the plains and through the mountains, were in almost constant conflict with the western Indians. To the white man this was empty land -- theirs for the taking. But to the Indian, these arid pastures of the buffalo were his ancient and sacred hunting ground.

Little wonder that wagon trains were surrounded, stage-coaches attacked, forts and villages besieged, and blue-coated cavalry greeted with a hail of lead and a shining sleet of arrows.

INDIAN WARS AND WARRIORS (WEST) is a thrilling, authentic and objective narrative of the long struggle with the Apaches; the wars with the woodland and the Teton Sioux, and the battles with the Cheyennes, Comanches and other tribes. There were men of all shades of gallantry and villainy on both sides of this conflict. And while some Indians and Indian fighters were treacherous and cruel, it is remarkable how many of the leaders would have kept the peace if they could, turning to warfare only when there was no alternative.

Paul Wellman has written a brilliant and lucid account of one of the most exciting chapters of American history.

-- From the dust jacket.