"Unique in its approach, thorough in its research, and clear in its presentation, Fighting Invisible Enemies elevates the subject of Indian health to its rightful place in the historiography of California Indians." - George Harwood Phillips, author of Chiefs and Challengers: Indian Resistance and Cooperation in Southern California, 1769-1906
"This remarkable and insightful story of survival provides a deep understanding of indigenous belief systems. Fighting Invisible Enemies will be a leading book in the field of Indian health." - Donald L. Fixico, author of Call for Change: The Medicine Way of American Indian History, Ethos, and Reality
"A fascinating picture of how Southern California Indians have skillfully incorporated Western medicine while maintaining traditional spiritual and holistic practices and beliefs. Highly recommended for all students of Native history, cultural studies, and the history of medicine." - Donna Akers, author of Culture and Customs of the Choctaw People
"True of Trafzer's work more generally, the evidence of his longstanding ties to the communities about whom he writes is considerable and unmistakable. He consulted with numerous tribal elders, attended many tribal nation meetings and sings, and conducted the oral histories that center the monograph. And, overall, it is Trafzer's unparalleled ability to illustrate change from within Indigenous California that makes Fighting Invisible Enemies so profound." - Western Historical Quarterly
"Based on oral histories, agency and boarding school records, vital statistics, and government documents, Trafzer delineates the interplay between policy, politics, and different medical systems in the fight against tuberculosis from the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. Trafzer's book nicely illustrates how MIA (Mission Indian Agency) peoples adopted Western medicine without abandoning their Indigenous beliefs and practices." - American Indian Culture and Research Journal
"Fighting Invisible Enemies reveals Trafzer's prodigious ability to build con tacts and trust with Indigenous people in southern California. He listens closely to the insights of sixteen oral history interviews and shares experiences attend ing ceremonies, such as a Bear Dance on the Chemehuevi Reservation in 2008...Fighting Invisible Enemies is, perhaps unfortunately, quite timely. As Indian Country begins to rebuild after the COVID- 19 pandemic, Trafzer reminds us that Indigenous people in southern California already did this work - many, many times." - New Mexico Historical Review
