Doctors, Lawyers, Indian Chiefs

Tom Benjey
Tuxedo Press (2008)
ISBN 9780977448678
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (10/08)

 

The book “Doctors, Lawyers, Indian Chiefs” has been written to preserve the legacy of a group of forgotten American athletes and patriots. Tom Benjey explores the lives of Carlisle Indian School football heroes, a core group of 50 men. These men represent the noblest tribes in our nation, including: Sioux, Chippewa, Sac and Fox, Cheyenne, Flathead, Cherokee, and Oneida.

Carlisle’s earliest history as a school is introduced as well as the early days of professional football. In a natural progression this is followed up with the introduction of Glenn Scobey “Pop” Warner. The book then takes the form of mini-biographies. These feature stories tell of life beyond Carlisle and tell of awards, and other successful accomplishments. Many were entered into the College Football Hall of Fame. A listing of these honorees is found in the appendix along with those who were inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame, and into the Citizens Saving Athletic Foundation.  It should be noted that several of those included excelled in tract events.

I enjoyed the quotes from the men themselves and their peers. These were honest candid comments giving insight into the individual, their people, and the frequent injustices directed toward them.  As in typical sports reporting they also shared play-by-play accounts of their most memorable games. The book is filled with clever illustrations, cartoons and an amazing collection of photos which bring to life the background scenes of the narrative.

An excellent selected bibliography, including Carlisle Indian Industrial School publications and other school publications, books, periodicals, and ephemera are included in the appendix, as well as a complete index.

Historians, sociologists and anthropologists will appreciate the exhaustive research, attention to detail, accuracy, authority, and integrity Benjey has put into completing this work. Sports fans and casual readers will be drawn into Benjey’s unique and compelling writing style. “Doctors, Lawyers, Indian Chiefs” by Tom Benjey is destined to become a classic.

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