Poli: A Mexican Boy in Early Texas: A Novel

Jose Policarpo Rodriguez was a Mexican boy who came North into Texas with his father in the middle of the 19th century, after the deaths of the rest of his family. Because his father had once treated Comanche warriors with respect, Poli was taken in by other Comanches and educated in the ways of the Indians. He exchanged a blood oath with Eagle Blood, and later served as interpreter between U.S. Army officials and Comanche chiefs who tried to talk peace (it ended in a bloodbath). He was, according to the author's preface, a ``surveyor, a scout, a hunter, a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a ranchman, a Keeper of Camels and a preacher.'' While not all aspects of Poli's life are covered in this book, Neugeboren presents an accomplished blending of fact and fiction, and explains the areas in which truth and drama diverge. Poli's experiences were part of an astonishing era in Texas's past, and readers searching for solid historical writing will find it in these pages. No ages given. (May)