Indian Uprising on Rio Grande

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Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Summary of the Book ................................................................................................................................... 3
Contents of Book ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Evaluation of Book ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Reference ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
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Introduction

Franklin Folsom is a pseudonym for American author Troy Nesbit, was a scholar from
Rhodes University. He championed in juvenile fiction, writing mysteries and adventures and
non-fiction genre for adults. Amongst his published accolades include infamous Pony books and
Fury and the Mystery at Trappers Hole. Indian uprising on the Rio Grande is a retelling of
events which occurred in 1680. It is a sympathetic view of the infamous rebellion from native
aspect. The Rio Grande rebellion is also known as Popes Rebellion. It is an anti-thesis of
majority pro-Spanish books advocating rebellion. The book attempts to shed some light on the
native Indians rebellion against Spanish occupants known to oppress the natives with white
supremacy attitude. It delineates the infamous Indian uprising against Spanish oppression.

Summary of the Book

As the foreword indicates, Franklin Folsom first gained familiarization with American
versions of the Popes rebellion and then read native Mexican accounts of the infamous armed
struggle. As a result, the book borrows heavily from native Mexican texts regarding the event as
a key juncture in their struggle against western oppression. The author has maintained an anti-
white stance throughout, skewing the narrative with an Indian bent, highlighting the roots of the
escalating discontent and invasion of privacy felt by native Indians. He has attempted to balance
the narrative of popularly held opinion regarding Pueblos rebellion. The hostility between
Spaniards and Indian tribes reached its boiling point resulting in an armed struggle against
oppressive Spanish invaders in 1860 (Folsom 2011).

Contents of Book

In 1860, an armed rebellion was orchestrated by the native spiritual pope, citing
increasingly hostile attitude towards native Indian tribes. Massive taxes were levied and routine
slavery operations were carried out. The resulting armed resistance was a struggle to drive
outsides from Indian native land. The book gives interesting insight into native Indian
interpretations of the infamous armed resistance. It gives new information regarding Indian
customs and background prevalent at the time. It has been written as an anti-thesis to popular
Spanish Occupation of Indian territory, keenly highlighting general discontent amongst mass
populace with foreign invaders. On the other hand, it does not offer new insights as it is a
regurgitation of recorded events (Folsom 2011).
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Evaluation of Book

The author has researched meticulously (albeit, used conjecture) researched for rewriting
a historical narrative seen mostly from lens of white historians. He has laid down the events
leading up to the rebellion sequentially, highlighting the general behavior of Spanish towards
native Indians, their tyrannical attitudes and interference with local culture. Franklin Folsom has
used flowery language to fill in the visual details demonstrating his writing prowess. However,
his sentences are sometimes short and end abruptly as per most cases. The writing style is
becoming of him as the historical narrative unfolds. His alternative narrative hits home on an
emotional level, outlining the tyrannical behavior of white invaders during globalization time-
period. It gives a diverging view of the infamous freedom fight against oppression.

The book attempts to portray Pueblo revolt (also known as Popes rebellion) with a new
perspective, shedding some light on societal conditions leading to open rebellion against white
oppressors. The vivid scenery provides spectacular visualization about the regional revolt with
beautifully crafted prose. It successfully manages to sympathize with tribal Indians and their
rebel with a cause outlook. As opposed to American history being white supremacy toned
mostly, this book opened up to oppressive and tyrannical behavior towards natives while
outlining their causes for armed struggle. Lastly, since its an academic review, its prose is
mostly linear as opposed to using decorative magazine language (Folsom 2011).

Conclusion

Franklin Folsom has refrained from attempting to marginalize native Indians showcasing
the successful armed struggle as a feather in the cap for native Indians. Indian Uprising on the
Rio Grande: The Pueblo Revolt Of 1680 is a must-read non-fiction title for those familiar with
Popes rebellion, reading from the white globalization perspective. As a result, it makes for a
compelling and compassionate read in its entirety.
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Reference

Folsom, F 2011, Indian uprising on the Rio Grande: The pueblo revolt of 1680, UNM Press.