Product Description

Discusses the life of the only native American serving in Congress today, describing his troubled youth, his discovery of judo, his crippling injury during the 1964 Olympics, his success as a jeweler and breeder of quarterhorses, and his political career. 25,000 first printing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1299933 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Campbell overcame a childhood ravaged by the illnesses of a tubercular mother and an alcoholic father to become a Colorado Democratic state legislator, a representative in congress and, in 1992, a U.S. Senator. He first came to wide attention as a member of the four-man 1964 Olympic judo team. The 1960s also marked his increasing interest in his father's Native American ancestry (Apache, Pueblo and Cheyenne). A horse breeder and jewelry designer, Campbell turned to politics in the early '80s. Flamboyant and individualistic, he has taken controversial stands, including casting a vote against Operation Desert Storm. Viola ( Diplomats in Buckskin ) wrote this biography at Campbell's request, and his overly sympathetic attitude towards his subject is a serious detraction from a book that is further marred by poor organization and stilted prose that ill serve the subject's interesting life. Photos not seen by PW .
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Viola's examination of the life of Colorado senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the only Native American now serving in Congress, is a biography of a politician, but it is not primarily a political biography. Only approximately one-third of the book is devoted to Campbell's political career, and it is the most superficial and least interesting portion. However, Campbell is a man of diverse passions and vocations. Prior to entering politics Campbell was, among other things, an Olympic athlete (judo), martial arts instructor, horse breeder, jewelry designer, police officer, and industrial arts teacher. The author's discussion of these other activities reveals Campbell to be one of the more fascinating figures on the current political scene and an exception to the trend toward career politicians in the United States. A worthwhile public library purchase by series editor Viola, a historian with the Smithsonian Institute.
- Thomas H. Ferrell, Univ. of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Viola's mostly uneventful biography of the colorful part-Cheyenne U.S. senator from Colorado is a little long-winded but inspiring nonetheless. Campbell, the first Native American in the Senate in 60 years, emerged from poverty and a dysfunctional family in Horatio Alger style, becoming a judo champion and Olympian, a successful horseman, and finally a world-class designer of Indian jewelry before entering politics as a Colorado state representative and then a U.S. congressman. To avoid turning the biography into a valentine to Campbell, Viola interviewed family members, friends, and some acquaintances--virtually none of them have anything bad to say about Campbell. The chapters outlining Campbell's genealogy and the parts his ancestors played in major events in American Indian history, such as the Sand Creek Massacre and the Battle of the Little Big Horn, are the best reading, and Viola admits that a later biography delving into Campbell's Senate career would be more worthwhile. Meanwhile, Campbell's inspiring example to his fellow Indians still makes this book valuable. Joe Collins

Customer Reviews

A TRUE AMERICAN WARRIOR
Ben Nighthorse Campbell is a true legend of American martial arts.The winner of any number of judo championships,Campbell was a member of the 1964 U.S.A Olympic Judo Team.This book tells the story of Campbell's life from the days of his youth through his days as a judo competitor and coach to his days as a politician and advocate of Native-American rights.This book is a must read for any judo fan.

Interesting read
I enjoyed this book & bought one for gift to an old friend who also enjoyed it. It is an interesting read.

Good reading for judokas
As a judo player, I enjoyed reading the sections detailing Campbell's judo days. It's worth having on those reasons alone.