Bad Hand: A Biography of General Ranald S. Mackenzie - Softcover

Robinson III, Charles M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1880510022 ISBN 13: 9781880510025

Publisher: State House Press, 2005

Synopsis

A Civil War hero, victorious Indian fighter and eventual madman, General Ranald S. Mackenzie's fascinating life, his brilliant accomplishments, and his descent into madness are brought to life in a complete and thoroughly researched biography that reestablishes his importance in the history of Texas and the United States. Foreword by Stan Hoig.

About this title

About the Author:

CHARLES M. ROBINSON III received his bachelor's degree from St. Edward's University and master's from the University of Texas-Pan American, and was a history instructor at South Texas Community College. He wrote more than twelve books, including Bad Hand: A Biography of General Ranald S. Mackenzie (T.R. Fehrenbach Award) and The Court Martial of Lieutenant Henry Flipper (Spur Award finalist). Robinson appeared on television documentaries for the Public Broadcasting System and the History Channel

From Publishers Weekly:

This is a well-researched, gracefully written biography of one of America's foremost Indian fighters. Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie (1840-1889) led the Fourth Cavalry for 12 years, fashioning it into the most formidable assault force in the U.S. Army of its time. Though his battles were unspectacular, they played a vital role in protecting settlers by subduing Indian tribes. Robinson ( Frontier Forts in Texas ) describes how Mackenzie learned to "think Indian," turning their own war-making methods against them. An ill-tempered man with impossibly high standards, he suffered a nervous breakdown shortly after his promotion to brigadier general in 1883, was declared insane by an Army board and institutionalized in New York at the age of 43. Robinson rejects the common theory that Mackenzie's mind was destroyed by syphilis, arguing that he suffered from the cumulative effects of wounds, stress and fatigue. Today his malady would probably be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: State House Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1880510022
• ISBN 13: 9781880510025
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 416