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The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman (Women in the West),Used
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2019 Tucson Weekly ?40 Essential Arizona Books? pick2014 One Book Yuma selection2010 Best of the Best from the University Presses (ALA) selection2010 Caroline Bancroft History Prize Finalist2009 Southwest Book of the YearIn 1851 Olive Oatman was a thirteenyear old pioneer traveling west toward Zion, with her Mormon family. Within a decade, she was a white Indian with a chin tattoo, caught between cultures. The Blue Tattoo tells the harrowing story of this forgotten heroine of frontier America. Orphaned when her family was brutally killed by Yavapai Indians, Oatman lived as a slave to her captors for a year before being traded to the Mohave, who tattooed her face and raised her as their own. She was fully assimilated and perfectly happy when, at nineteen, she was ransomed back to white society. She became an instant celebrity, but the price of fame was high and the pain of her ruptured childhood lasted a lifetime.Based on historical records, including letters and diaries of Oatman?s friends and relatives, The Blue Tattoo is the first book to examine her life from her childhood in Illinoisincluding the massacre, her captivity, and her return to white societyto her later years as a wealthy banker?s wife in Texas.Oatman?s story has since become legend, inspiring artworks, fiction, film, radio plays, and even an episode of Death Valley Days starring Ronald Reagan. Its themes, from the perils of religious utopianism to the permeable border between civilization and savagery, are deeply rooted in the American psyche. Oatman?s blue tattoo was a cultural symbol that evoked both the imprint of her Mohave past and the lingering scars of westward expansion. It also served as a reminder of her deepest secret, fully explored here for the first time: she never wanted to go home.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman'? A: 'The Blue Tattoo' explores the life of Olive Oatman, a pioneer who was captured by Native Americans and later became a symbol of cultural conflict, identity, and the impacts of westward expansion in America.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Blue Tattoo'? A: The book is authored by Margot Mifflin, who has researched and written extensively about Olive Oatman's life and its historical context.
- Q: What age group is 'The Blue Tattoo' suitable for? A: 'The Blue Tattoo' is suitable for readers interested in history, women's studies, and American culture, typically recommended for ages 12 and up due to its mature themes.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Blue Tattoo' have? A: 'The Blue Tattoo' contains 288 pages, providing a comprehensive look at Olive Oatman's life and experiences.
- Q: What type of binding does 'The Blue Tattoo' have? A: The book is available in paperback binding, making it lightweight and easy to handle for reading.
- Q: When was 'The Blue Tattoo' published? A: 'The Blue Tattoo' was published on April 1, 2011, as a reprint edition.
- Q: Is 'The Blue Tattoo' based on true events? A: Yes, 'The Blue Tattoo' is based on historical records, including letters and diaries, and recounts the true story of Olive Oatman's life and her experiences during the 1850s.
- Q: What significant events in Olive Oatman's life does the book cover? A: The book covers significant events such as Olive's capture by Yavapai Indians, her year-long captivity, her return to white society, and the impact of her experiences on her later life.
- Q: What recognition has 'The Blue Tattoo' received? A: 'The Blue Tattoo' has been recognized as a 2019 Tucson Weekly '40 Essential Arizona Books' pick and was a finalist for the Caroline Bancroft History Prize in 2010.
- Q: Can 'The Blue Tattoo' be used for educational purposes? A: 'The Blue Tattoo' is an excellent resource for educational purposes, particularly in studies related to American history, gender studies, and cultural anthropology.