Turning Adversity to Advantage is the story of the Lipan Apaches, who are now one of the forgotten Indian tribes of Texas and northern Mexico, yet they were once one of the largest and most aggressive tribes of the Rio Grande region. They were as much a part of the landscape as mesquite trees or cactus and proved just as deadly to their enemies as the rattlesnakes coiled among the rocks. Modern borderland residents are left with only a few vague rumors of their past presence and even scholars fail to credit the tribe's impact on the history of the region. The historical record is replete with examples of what the Lipans did; now it is time to discover the why. The story of the history of the Lipan Apaches is a tale of survival and preservation in the face of incredible challenges. Time and again, the Lipan Apaches were able to overcome obstacles and turn them to the tribe's advantage.

Nancy McGown Minor is an independent historical researcher with a master's degree from Texas State University. She specializes in archival research regarding the history and culture of the Lipan Apaches and is the Tribal Historian of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. Ms. Minor is also the co-author (with William Chebahtah) of Chevato: The Story of the Apache Warrior who Captured Herman Lehmann (University of Nebraska Press, 2007). This work contains the oral history and historical context of the life of Lipan Apache shaman Chevato (1852-1931), one of the founders of the Native American Church. Other works include The Light Gray People: An Ethno-history of the Lipan Apaches of Texas and Northern Mexico (University Press, 2009).

Chapter 1 Maps, Tables, and Figures
Chapter 2 Preface
Chapter 3 Chapter 1: The Comanche-Lipan War for Control of the High Plains, 1700-1720
Chapter 4 Chapter 2: Lipan-Spanish Contacts at San Antonio, 1720-1730
Chapter 5 Chapter 3: The Lipan War Against the Spanish, 1730-1749
Chapter 6 Chapter 4: Peace with the Spanish in Texas Leads to Tribal Division, 1749-1751
Chapter 7 Chapter 5: The Lipan Missions of San Lorenzo and San Saba, 1751-1759
Chapter 8 Chapter 6: The Lipan Missions on the Upper Nueces River, 1760-1767
Chapter 9 Chapter 7: Dancing the Mitote (War Dance) in Texas and Coahuila, 1760-1772
Chapter 10 Chapter 8: The Apache Campaigns in the Sierra Madres, 1772-1777
Chapter 11 Chapter 9: The Spanish Attempt to Divide and Destroy the Lipans, 1777-1781
Chapter 12 Chapter 10: Lipan Apache Survival Strategies, 1780-1790
Chapter 13 Chapter 11: Juan de Ugalde's War against the Apaches of Coahulia, 1779-1790
Chapter 14 Chapter 12: Ugalde's Legacy: The Lipan Apaches Seek Revenge, 1790-1799
Chapter 15 Chapter 13: The Lipan Role in the Battles for Mexican and Texas Independence, 1800-1836
Chapter 16 Chapter 14: Lipan Apaches and the Republic of Texas, 1836-1845
Chapter 17 Chapter 15: Lipan Relations with the State of Texas, 1846-1851
Chapter 18 Chapter 16: Facing the Reservation: The Fourth Crisis Point in Lipan History, 1852-1860
Chapter 19 Chapter 17: Depredations and Military Response, 1846-1872
Chapter 20 Chapter 18: The War to Annihilate the Lipans in Mexico, 1873-1881
Chapter 21 Chapter 19: The Lipan Apaches Today
Chapter 22 Notes
Chapter 23 References Cited
Chapter 24 Index
Chapter 25 About the Author