Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
Product Description
In the tradition of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, a stunningly vivid historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West, centering on Quanah, the greatest Comanche chief of them all.
S. C. Gwynne’s 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 just how and 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. So effective were the Comanches that they forced the creation of the Texas Rangers and account for the advent of the new weapon specifically designed to fight them: the six-gun.
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—a historical feast for anyone interested in how the United States came into being.
Against this backdrop Gwynne presents the compelling drama of Cynthia Ann Parker, a lovely nine-year-old girl with cornflower-blue eyes who was kidnapped by Comanches from the far Texas frontier in 1836. She grew to love her captors and became infamous as the “White Squaw” who refused to return until her tragic capture by Texas Rangers in 1860. More famous still was her son Quanah, a warrior who was never defeated and whose guerrilla wars in the Texas Panhandle made him a legend.
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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I must admit I am not that far into this book. I am so glad I did not pay full price for this book of white man’s propaganda! Just in the little bit I have read he ignores the fact that the Shoshones and Nez Perce people further developed the Appaloosa breed through selective breeding. And I think he should have talked to them about who the best horsemen were; not to mention the Lakota who he insist on calling Sioux like most tap dancing white folks do. Crazy Horse was a very respected warrior on horseback and by more than just the Lakota people. His name was known far and wide. This is just one example of his ignorance when it comes to understanding native people. According to him the Comanche were Killing Gods! Even the youngest Cheyenne know the stories about the warrior women that the white soldiers feared so much! I don’t think you can say who was better or worse on the battle field but this guy tries to do just that. Killing is killing. But really the white man was an expert at it! American Holocaust
I am not denying the brutal practices of war at all but the guy goes on and on about how the Comanche tortured, cut up,and raped poor white folks and other enemies. He seems to enjoy shocking the novice reader about the “savage” and “primitive” Comanche. He even starts his book by quoting Cormac MacCarthy just to set the tone I guess. He only sees the information through a white man’s eyes. He takes for granted that the more “civilized” white culture is superior to the “primitive” Comanche (and other Native Nations as well). I think the jury is still out on that one at least from intelligent thinking people. So far he really has not gone into the rapes, murder, lies, and genocide this government, being the “civilized” ones, leveled on the indigenous people of Turtle Island. Even by this guys standards, shouldn’t the more “civilized” people be considered more savage and worth more of his subjective bias than the “primitive” injuns who knew no better.
I apologize if this book becomes more fair farther into the read but I am very doubtful about that so far. Just saying what a wonderful man MacKenzie was makes this book worth a dump in the trash can for me.
A little powwow joke for my conclusion: What is the difference between Andrew Jackson and Hitler? answer: About one hundred years and better technology for genocide!
Georgie Jessup
Rating: 1 / 5
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE TO THE LAST , THIS IS THE GREATEST READ THIS SUMMER. I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW I LOVE THIS BOOK FOR ITS RESEARCH, ITS HONESTY AND NOT HOLDING BACK.
THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. ANYONE UNDER 18YRS OF AGE SHOULD NOT READ THIS BOOK NOR ANYONE WHO IS PREGNANT NOR SPIRITUAL , FOR IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY AND KNOW ABOUT THE “COMANCHES” THEN YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF.
I GIVE THE WRITER “THUMBS” UP ON THIS ONE. IF ONLY ALL NON-FICTION AUTHORS COULD FOLLOW YOUR RULE OF THUMB(NO PUN INTENDED) ON WRITING A BOOK THAT WOULD KEEP A PERSON WANTING MORE AFTER EVERY PAGE.IT DOESN’T NEED TO BE GRUESOME NEITHER JUST IN THE WAY ITS WRITTEN WOULD DO IT.I READ A BOOK TITLE” THE NIGHT STALKER” ( CAN NOT REMEMBER THE AUTHOR) BUT AT THE END WHEN THE TOWNSPEOPLE WERE RUNNING AFTER RICHARD, I WAS OUT OF BREATH, THAT’S HOW GOOD A WRITER HE WAS. BUT GRUESOME AND “COMANCHE” GO TOGETHER HAND IN HAND. NOW MY ONLY HOPES IS THAT THEY WOULD DO A MOVIE OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!
Rating: 5 / 5
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
The author provides a very exciting and powerful account of the Comanche that literally ruled a large portion of Texas and parts of Oklahoma, pushing the Apache west to Arizona and stopped the expansion of the Spanish. The domination of their lands and their fierce ability to defend their expansive home lands provides them a long history of independence. The author notes in detail their savvy ability to live off land that seem relatively barren and harsh while having a reputation as one of the greatest fighters on horseback in the west with the ability to fire multiple arrows from any position on horseback. The author provides a rather frightening account of how severe the Comanche treated their foes, that seems extraordinary cruel. The author; however, stipulates that as harsh and cruel that it may seem, it wasn’t much different from how other tribes treated their enemies. The fierceness and lighting strike abilities seemed to have a dramatic impact on western expansion in Texas and the book predominately centers on their final years on a collision course with Texans that although slow to expand into Comanche lands they do so through daringness and in some cases neglect. In the latter case, the Parker clan is a case in point as they build their own settlement on the furthest reaches of white homesteads on or in Comanche territory resulting in the capture of Cynthia Parker and several others while the male population does not survive. Cynthia becomes the mother of Quanah Parker. Fascinating parts of the book are descriptions of the Comanche cultural, different sub tribes, the fascinating landscapes of canyons, prairie and desolate areas that made up the Comanche territory and of course their dramatic ability to attack and defend. The story of Buffalo Hump’s long campaign deep into the heart of settlements in Texas is incredulous as his band suffers little loss. Other aspects include a collision with the Texas Rangers in the 1830s and 40s led by Jack Hays who dared to enter Comanche territory with group of die hard men that the author seemingly describes as very unique and tough individuals, they sounds like a cross between mountain men and Hell’s Angels on horseback. How these hardened individual could with stand campaigning in harsh climates with limited resources and very little in the way of compensation while enduring high casualties is quite amazing. Eventually, the collision includes the sudden appearance of the colt revolver that forever changes the art of warfare against the Comanche. Also of great interest is James Parker who searches for his niece, Cynthia Anne, without success in spite of the rumors of her existence that were actually true. Parker’s relentless search was captured in the great John Wayne flick, “The Searchers” although the film captures a later time period. There is, of course, an in depth description of Quanah Parker who rose to become a chief and one of the most difficult bands to find and conquer. His collision course or lack of, with General Randal McKenzie is riveting as parker mystifies his pursuers repeatedly in canyons and high country eventually wearing out his pursuers for the time being. Although McKenzie’s never stop campaigns caught up with many villages to destroy their materials, along with the buffalo hunters that destroyed the herds; he eventually subjugates the Comanche by eliminating their way of life. This follows Sheridan’s typical plan, first used in the Shenandoah Valley, to remove subsistence and the ability to operate by capturing or killing their splendid mustangs. The last 100 pages center on the army’s campaigns against the Comanche and tithe eventual adjustments made to reservation life. The author provides details on Parker’s band that is one of the last to surrender to reservation life. What is unique about Parker is his personality, which is described as very positive, with the kind ability to share his resources and to get along well with virtually anyone native or white. He eventually serves as a broker between tribal members and the army and on his own, brings in Comanche that breaks away. He also had the unique ability to become friends with Mckenzie and Charles Goodright; the latter bring the great western cattleman who actually took possession of a large portion of Comanche land. Parker adapted many white ways, from living in a modest mansion to wearing stylish clothes, and he was able to barter with whites on behalf of the Comanche to obtain fees for cattle trespassing on reservation land bringing money into the tribe as well as establishing himself for many years as a modest cattle baron. This ability to arrange compensation was indicative of his smart intellect. Parker eventual is recognized as a central chief for the Comanche and serves in that capacity for many years. He even entertains many celebrities in the early 1900s like Theodore Roosevelt. Parker even represents his tribe in attempts to protect them from land deals that did not have the Comanche’s best interests.
One clash of culture that was fascinating was the description of group of Comanche that bring in a white woman captive to a town in an arranged barter for her release. The group was used to trading with the Comanchereos thus they arrive with their families for a great opportunity to purchase and exchange goods. However, once the town folk observe the physical condition of female captive; they turn on the Comanche. The Comanche are caught completely surprised totally unaware that the appearance of their captive would be considered harsh. The mini biography of General “Bad hand” McKenzie is also well detailed and makes you want to learn more about him as one of the most daring Indian campaigners. The break down of his health may have contributed to lack of recognition at the time of his death.
Rating: 5 / 5
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
Empire Of The Summer Moon is a fearsome, yet elegant story of an Indian tribe that has gotten little notice in the world of Western stories and movies compared with Sioux and Apache tribes. I wanted to know why since I hadn’t heard much about them. That is why I bought this book. I definitely got my money’s worth as S.C. Gwynne has written a history that reads like a novel - except that it’s all true.
I learned that Comanches were cruel and savage in their behavior not only to white pioneers, but to other Indians as well. They, alone, held back white settlement of Texas for almost 40 years and pushed the Spanish back across the Mexican border where they retreated even further leaving Texas for good.
They were known as horse Indians as they had mastered breeding, breaking, riding and fighting on horseback with bow and arrow and lance while riding at full gallup. It seems that the Spanish had brought mustangs with them to the new world, then left them behind when they eventually retreated.
The story is also about Quanah Parker, a fierce chief of the Comanches who was half-white, being the offspring of Cynthia Ann Parker and Chief Peta-Nocona. She was only nine when captured and became part of the tribe culturally for the rest of her life. It is also about the end of the Indian domination of Texas and the Southern Plains, a forbidding, forsaken place with no markers and no water.
It took considerable effort to accomplish this and Gwynne names one man especially: Ranald Slidell MacKenzie, a seasoned Union soldier of the Civil War and the Indian wars to initiate and finally accomplish this formidable task.
Rating: 5 / 5
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
This is a fine book, well written, with a fairly narrow scope that focuses on the Comanche Native Americans of Texas. Most books of this genre tend to try to cover too much; this one is perfect. Any student of our country’s history can learn from the descriptions of the Indians and their social structure. I suspect some readers will be surprised to learn that Chiricahuas, White Mountain, and Mimbrenos were all very different, despite all being part of the Apache Nation.
A joy to read. The cover picture of Quannah Parker is worth the price of the book; the picture of his mother and sister Prairie Flower is fascinating.
Rating: 5 / 5
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History