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.