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A review by misajane79
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S.C. Gwynne
5.0
In some ways, I'm still processing this book, even though I finished it two days ago.
Take everything you think you know about Native Americans, and twist it, just a bit. Gwynne masterfully tells the story of the Commanches--why they were unlike any other tribe, how they achieved their power, why they raided, kidnapped, and tortured white settlers. And how the only thing that really conquered them was technology.
It's also the story of the Parker family--Cynthia Ann, who was kidnapped when she was just a girl, and her son, who led violent raiding parties, who chose to become a "token" Indian for the US Government. Well, sorta.
Even though I consider myself fairly knowledgable about 19th century history and Texas history, there were lots of "well, duh" moments--those moments in a book where the author makes a completely logical point that somehow every other historian has missed for the past 100 years. Like why the horse made all the difference. Why traditional battle tactics didn't work with Commanches (and why it took so long for anyone to realize this). And why women and young children were kidnapped, but men were killed during raids. And all sorts of other things.
It's a gruesome, powerful and remarkable book. Larry McMurty is supposedly working on a screenplay, and even with his skills, I can't imagine turning this into a movie with the nuance, grace and power of the book. Highly, highly recommended. Cannot wait for the book club discussion of this one.
Post-Book Club conversation addendum: Had to up it to 5 stars. Revisionist history in the best possible sense of the word. Will change the way you think about American history.
Take everything you think you know about Native Americans, and twist it, just a bit. Gwynne masterfully tells the story of the Commanches--why they were unlike any other tribe, how they achieved their power, why they raided, kidnapped, and tortured white settlers. And how the only thing that really conquered them was technology.
It's also the story of the Parker family--Cynthia Ann, who was kidnapped when she was just a girl, and her son, who led violent raiding parties, who chose to become a "token" Indian for the US Government. Well, sorta.
Even though I consider myself fairly knowledgable about 19th century history and Texas history, there were lots of "well, duh" moments--those moments in a book where the author makes a completely logical point that somehow every other historian has missed for the past 100 years. Like why the horse made all the difference. Why traditional battle tactics didn't work with Commanches (and why it took so long for anyone to realize this). And why women and young children were kidnapped, but men were killed during raids. And all sorts of other things.
It's a gruesome, powerful and remarkable book. Larry McMurty is supposedly working on a screenplay, and even with his skills, I can't imagine turning this into a movie with the nuance, grace and power of the book. Highly, highly recommended. Cannot wait for the book club discussion of this one.
Post-Book Club conversation addendum: Had to up it to 5 stars. Revisionist history in the best possible sense of the word. Will change the way you think about American history.