Without a doubt, one of the most fascinating history books I have ever read. Well researched and well written. I live in Parker County and the richness of the author's description of this historic area of Texas taught me more about my beloved home state than anything I've previously read. I used to think I knew all about Texas until I read this fabulous book. My son-in-law comes from a line of Parkers and thinks he is kin to Quanah through Cynthia Ann Parker. Still researching this so I can't prove it in genealogy yet. Anyone interested in the truth about the Indians needs to read this!

This book changed my understanding of the history of the American Indians. Sam Gwynne researched his topic extensively, and has written an outstanding narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed his writing style and the lengths that he went to in order to create this book. Anyone who has more than a passing interest in American history, will really enjoy this book. It was easy to read, and at times, difficult to put down. His word pictures are outstanding, and his descriptions of the countryside make me want to visit the great plains. Compelling reading, I'm glad I read this book.

Wonderfully true tale of one of the earliest mysteries of the Texas frontier, the Comanche abduction of Cynthia Ann Parker and several other children. She became an accepted Comanche citizen, married a Chief and gave birth to Quanah Parker, who became a Chief in his own right. Quanah was the feared leader of the last Comanche band to depredate seriously in Texas and Mexico, but finally surrendered and brought his people in to the Reservation. Once there, his command of the language, forthrightness and bargaining skills gained the trust of his military administrators and vastly improved the daily lives of all. Quanah made several trips to Washington D.C. to argue for better treatment of the Indians and gained even higher standing among them. With many donations to his cause, he amassed a small fortune, built a very large home, where he entertained not only his red brothers and sisters, but a president, several Congressmen, and many local whites that he had befriended. A wonderful story

We live in Oklahoma - the middle of modern day Comanche County. My best friend growing up was the great-granddaughter of Chief Quannah Parker. She was even named after Cynthia Ann Parker. She has been my friend for over 60+ years. Therefore, I knew some of the history of the Comanche way of life, but from their side. I still cherish those memories of the stories told to me by her Grandmother (which was really her great-aunt, but called Grandmother by Comanche culture). She told of how afraid of the soldiers they were as children on the reservation near Fort Sill. I was a child hearing these stories, not really understanding... My family (white settlers) had settled in Oklahoma Territory from the Llano, Texas area before the turn of the century. They had lived thru the battles and loss of lives. Some went on to Arizona, but that's another story.
EMPIRE OF THE SUMMER MOON really awakened some of those memories - but from both sides. It was a horrible time for the settlers and the Indians! I have read many books on the subject, but this was the BEST, most accurate account, from both sides. It gives true documentation of events as they happened. We have given this book to so many family members and friends. A few weeks ago, we gave it to a Comanche friend. He said he learned so much about his people from this book. We HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone wanting to know the true history of the west from both sides.

After finishing this book, by sheer coincidence I came across Dances with Wolves as I was cruising channels. When you put the movie (about the Sioux) next to the this book - about the Comanches - you begin to realize how good it truly is and how substance it has. You might expect any story about Indians clashing with whites to leave you rooting hopelessly for the natives, but this account doesn't have that effect. The author wants you to admire the "Lords of the Plains", but he makes clear how brutal and ruthless they could be to whites and Indians alike.

The Comanches were a ferocious and highly skilled band of warriors that were only defeated because of the better guns the whites had. I never imagined a tribe of 40,000 could have so thoroughly dominated such a large swath of land for hundreds of years. There was no "trail of tears" for these guys. So unflinching is the book that at times I could feel the terror I'm sure existed in the heart of every white that dared to settle near Comancheria. You're left wondering why anyone would choose to risk life and scalp - your own and your children's - to live on the barren plains of northwest Texas. That's an important question that the book leaves unanswered.

If you want to learn about cowboys and Indians this book is essential. I read Blood and Thunder and this book tells a very different story. Both are excellent but if you read only about the Navajos you don't come close to getting a full picture of this, our own Hundred Years' War.