The Bitter Waters of Medicine Creek

A brief but fierce war between the Nisqually tribe and the Washington territorial militia in 1855-1856 is the focus of this work. The book also offers an interesting portrait of the territory itself and the key players in its earliest history. In particular, Kluger explores the background of Governor Isaac Stevens and shows how his ambition and personal beliefs shaped his relationship with the indigenous people. Alan Sklar offers a solid reading, maintaining an even pace without affectation but not at the cost of the drama of the story. He handles the Native American names and phrases with aplomb. Short quoted passages are read with a bit of tonal variation. R.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine