Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award A New York Times Notable Book Winner of the Texas Book Award and the Oklahoma Book Award This New York Times bestseller and stunning historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West “is nothing short of a revelation…will leave dust and blood on your … control of the American West “is nothing short of a revelation…will leave dust and blood on your jeans” (The New York Times Book Review).
Empire of the Summer Moon spans two astonishing stories. The first traces the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history. The second entails one of the most remarkable narratives ever to come out of the Old West: the epic saga of the pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker and her mixed-blood son Quanah, who became the last and greatest chief of the Comanches.
Although readers may be more familiar with the tribal names Apache and Sioux, it was in fact the legendary fighting ability of the Comanches that determined when the American West opened up. Comanche boys became adept bareback riders by age six; full Comanche braves were considered the best horsemen who ever rode. They were so masterful at war and so skillful with their arrows and lances that they stopped the northern drive of colonial Spain from Mexico and halted the French expansion westward from Louisiana. White settlers arriving in Texas from the eastern United States were surprised to find the frontier being rolled backward by Comanches incensed by the invasion of their tribal lands.
The war with the Comanches lasted four decades, in effect holding up the development of the new American nation. Gwynne’s exhilarating account delivers a sweeping narrative that encompasses Spanish colonialism, the Civil War, the destruction of the buffalo herds, and the arrival of the railroads, and the amazing story of Cynthia Ann Parker and her son Quanah—a historical feast for anyone interested in how the United States came into being.
Hailed by critics, S. C. Gwynne’s account of these events is meticulously researched, intellectually provocative, and, above all, thrillingly told. Empire of the Summer Moon announces him as a major new writer of American history.
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An extremely interesting read from start to finish!
GGood detail about Comanche warfare/raiding tactics. The racism of white settlers is reflected in the author’s perspective—has he no awareness of the atrocities in Vietnam or Kosovo (not to mention the Americans on the frontier).
This book provides useful detail about the Texas frontier and the challenges of the Llano Estacado and what wa once known as the Great American Desert. While the author is relatively clear about the racism of, for example Mirabeau Lamar and others; he tends to excuse this, along with the slaughter of peaceful tribes, while condemning the similar tactics employed by the Comanche. Manifest destiny in s still a powerful force in our understanding of American history.
Fascinating history of the Cherokee tribes as they fought the invasion of their land by white settlers. Especially as it pertains to Texas. No sugar coating the brutality and ruthless means the Cherokee used against, not only the settlers, but their tribal enemies, as well.
Excellent account of struggle the US plains’ indians faced from rapid expansion of white settlements.
One of the best books I’ve read on the history of the Comanche tribes in the SW! Tremendous research conveyed through informative, entertaining writing! I didn’t want it to end.
Very informative book about the Comanche nation as well as their relationship & struggles with other native Americans & the white settlers who were moving into their lands.
Important history
A lovely biography of Qanah Parker, last chief of the Comanches, and son of a kidnapped white settler. Parker was an American original.
Completely avoids the “noble savage” myth, presenting an unvarnished view of everyone. Good treatment of the history of Comanche interaction with everyone, including why they practiced adoption by kidnapping and why the Apaches were afraid of them.
Quanah Parker has been a fascinating historical figure to me for many years. Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History, has finally sated my curiosity. S. C. Gwynne has written a scholarly, unbiased chronicle of the Plains Indians, particularly the Comanches.
Gwynne traces the rise of the Comanche people, their fierceness in battle and their mastery of the horse. In fact, the Comanches were the first plainsmen to use horses in battle. When they encountered other tribes, or the U.S. Army, they did so on horseback, while their opponents rode to battle, then dismounted for the fight. Those afoot with the early single-shot rifles were no match for mounted Indians skilled with arrows and lances. In the first half of the nineteenth century, the Comanches were often referred to as “Lords of the Plains.”
In 1836, a fierce band of Comanches, the Quahadis, raided Fort Parker, capturing nine-year old Cynthia Ann Parker together with four of her relatives. Cynthia Ann eventually became a full member of the tribe and married a war chief. In 1860, when her oldest child, Quanah, was twelve, the Texas Rangers attacked the Indian encampment, killing Cynthia Ann’s husband, and “rescuing” Cynthia Ann and her baby daughter. Her two oldest children, Quanah and his brother, escaped. Afterward, Cynthia Ann was miserable with her white relatives and begged to return to the tribe and her other children.
Quanah Parker grew to became a brilliant, feared war chief. When it was obvious that the nomadic free life of the Indian was no longer a reality, Quanah guided his people in adapting to their inevitable new way of life. He became a spokesman and even traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for his people.
I found Empire of the Summer Moon an enlightening source of history of both the Plains Indians and the early frontier settlers. I highly recommend this book for an honest appraisal of clashing cultures. The book is written by a master story-teller, an author who fairly presents both sides of our often violent history.
This is non-fiction and a glimpse into some of our most disturbing history–what we (white people) have done to Native Americans. Gwynne, however, completely dispels the notion of a noble savage, and sometimes you wonder who was worse–the white settlers and the U.S. Army or the Comanches. However, it was an informative and well-rounded read. If you dislike getting bogged down in history, however, it’s not for you. I, on the other hand, loved it.
Really enjoyed this history of Native American clashing with American settlers. The impact on Native and American culture was fascinating. I read this book looking for research on my latest novel, Killing Time where I send a character back to 1872 and learned so much more than I expected.
A fascinating look at Quanah Parker as well and his early life as a Camanche warrior turned statesman representing his people.
A history of the Comanche, who, more even than the Apache or Sioux, held back manifest destiny by at least four decades.
Empire of the Summer Moon is a wonderful account of the Comanche Indians and their interaction(s) with White settlers in Texas in the late 1700’s and 1800’s. The author, S.C. Gwynne , does a wonderful job of treating both sides of the Indian/Settler conflicts fairly. He tells of the atrocities committed by the Comanches, but also of the underhanded deals/treaties made by the Whites with the Comanches and other Indian tribes. Regardless of what you’ve read in the past about the Plains Indian tribes and/or the White settlers of Texas, this book is well worth your time.
so much amazing knowledge, and delivered so factually!
Factual, non-bias concerning commanches and texans, new interesting information about early Texas.