The nineteenth century American Southwest is the setting of APACHE SHADOWS at the time when both Mexican and American action threatened to destroy the traditional ways of the Indians. How these threats and dangers were met is shown through the adventures of two Mescalero Apache brothers, Crazy Legs and Great Star. Learning that they share white blood because their mother was a captured American, they learn to reconcile two opposite cultures and accept a new way of life as more and more settlers move westward. In Great Star's words: "...maybe this is the beginning of something new, something wonderful for both America and her children of many races, colors, and religions."