George Catlin wrote this travelogue in old age, intending it to be his final, passionate celebration of Native American culture and living.
Above all, the author wanted younger readers to know that the Native American tribes were not savages with whom to fight, but a distinctive culture of people with whom to engage in dialogue and understanding. Much of the author’s life was dedicated to chronicling and fostering peaceful relations with the Plains Indians of the American West; as the years went by, he developed admiration for the culture, traditions and way of life to which the tribes were devoted.
This travelogue also sees Catlin visit South America to learn about the native tribespeople of Brazil and Argentina. His anecdotes form an authentic account of tribal life; he would encamp with the natives, earning their trust through friendship and kindness. Last Rambles, much like Catlin’s earlier works, is also a celebration of the outdoors – the descriptions of men and women alike riding on horseback across the beautiful plains and landscapes adds an evocative quality to his narrative.
The narrative concludes with a passionate plea to the reader, for the Native Americans to be protected and treated with dignity, lest their way of life vanish forever.
