1st Place Winner - Western Writers of America

(Spur Awards 2026 - Best First Western Nonfiction)

A man of peace. A warrior by necessity. A leader who moved the world with his words. When Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce surrendered in 1877, his powerful words—“I will fight no more forever”—echoed across a nation. But behind those words was a man whose heart, like the valleys he loved, was deep, complex, and unwavering in his pursuit of justice and dignity for his people.

In The Windows of His Heart, Louise Lenahan Wallace brings Chief Joseph to life through a riveting historical narrative grounded in firsthand accounts, military reports, and the reflections of those who knew him. This rich biography explores Joseph’s remarkable leadership during one of the most extraordinary military campaigns in Native American history—a 1,800-mile flight toward freedom with his people, pursued by thousands of U.S. soldiers. But more than a story of resistance, this is a portrait of a man whose moral clarity, humility, and courage earned the respect of both allies and enemies alike.

You’ll see not just the warrior, but the man who opened the windows of his heart to peace, even in the face of betrayal. This is a powerful, humanizing account of one of the most influential Indigenous leaders in American history—his battles, his beliefs, and his undying hope that dignity and peace would one day triumph. Discover the strength of a leader whose legacy still speaks to the soul of a nation