Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in Ameri
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In the vein of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, S. C. Gwynne delivers a vivid historical narrative depicting the intense four-decade conflict between Comanche Indians and white settlers for dominance in the American West. The focal point is Quanah, the paramount Comanche chief.
Empire of the Summer Moon unfolds two remarkable tales. The first chronicles the ascent and decline of the Comanches, deemed the most potent Indian tribe in American history. The second recounts the captivating story of Cynthia Ann Parker, a pioneer woman, and her son Quanah, the ultimate chief of the Comanches.
While other tribal names like Apache and Sioux may be more familiar, it was the unmatched combat prowess of the Comanches that determined the unfolding of the American West. Comanche boys excelled as bareback riders by age six, and their braves were regarded as the finest horsemen. Their military prowess thwarted Spanish colonialism and impeded French expansion westward. The Texas Rangers were formed in response to their resistance, and the six-gun emerged as a weapon tailored to combat them.
This four-decade war significantly impacted the development of the fledgling American nation. Gwynne's enthralling narrative spans Spanish colonialism, the Civil War, buffalo herd destruction, and the advent of railroads—a historical panorama for those intrigued by the genesis of the United States.
Amidst this backdrop, Gwynne unfolds the dramatic story of Cynthia Ann Parker, a young girl abducted by Comanches in 1836. Her affection for her captors earned her the infamous moniker "White Squaw." Her son, Quanah, became a legendary warrior, undefeated in guerrilla wars in the Texas Panhandle.
Meticulously researched and intellectually stimulating, Empire of the Summer Moon establishes S. C. Gwynne as a significant new voice in American history, delivering a thrilling account of events that shaped the nation.
