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Empire of the Summer Moon

Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History

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Empire of the Summer Moon

Written by: S. C. Gwynne
Narrated by: David Drummond
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*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 jeans” (The New York Times Book Review).

Empire of the Summer Moonspans 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 backwardby 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. Americas United States Native American Latin America Old West Wild West War American History Mexico American Indian Historical Nonfiction
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Editorial Review

In a time of expansion in the American West, the Comanche tribe fought to halt and even roll back the drive of white settlers, the Spanish, and the French. Fighting so skillfully that settlers invented the six-gun to rival them, the Comanches had a staggering impact on the development of the fledgling America.

Writer S.C. Gwynne shares the harrowing tale of the four-decades-long struggle for the American West. From the gripping narrative of the Comanche tribe to the near-legendary rise of its last great chief, this is a historical account that feels like an epic fiction saga.

Narrator David Drummond is a highly seasoned professional with more than 150 releases under his belt. He won an AudioFile Earphones award for Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay, and is known for his nonfiction work. In Empire of the Summer Moon, David’s smooth and steady voice builds a colourful world where hours pass unnoticed as he brings history to life.

Gwynne was inspired to create an account of the Comanche after learning small pieces of information about the tribe, and realizing just how little he knew about early American settlement. Through original research and hard work, Gwynne created a narrative to enlighten countless listeners to this untold history.

This work has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

All stars
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Grueaome but worth it , so much history here , god bless them all

Amazing

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This book simply blew me away. To think that a character such as Quanah experienced the transition from Plains Indian to rancher within a lifetime is simply astonishing. An excellent look into life of the Comanches and Americans during the settling of the southern USA/Mexico region. Fascinating stories that highlight the ills of colonization, empire and the beauty within the human experience. Very easy to listen to and narrated very well.

Phenomenal Look Into A Relatively Forgotten Past

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A good, encompassing, overview of realities of the colonization of North American territory, withholding not the evils of all parties involved, without involved political agendas.

Brutality

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It’s long but doesn’t feel like it because it is so in depth and interesting, packed with facts and great pacing. Probably my favourite book.

Amazing book

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interesting from begginging to end.and some points I had never read before. might read it again sometime

very good

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