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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

Author:
S. C. Gwynne
Read by:
David Drummond
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Unabridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
526
Narrator
90
Release Date
September 20, 2016
Duration
15 hours 11 minutes
Summary
*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 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 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.

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.
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Reviews
Profile Avatar Christopher S. May 2019

A wretched book that promotes old tropes about "savage", "uncivilized" Indians. Far better is Pekka Hamalainen's amazing _The Comanche Empire_ for its depth and sensitivity. By contrast, Gwynne's book reads like a bad Cormac McCarthy novel.

Profile Avatar JEFFREY B. May 2018

A fantastic page turner and detailed glimpse into a brief history of the Plains Indians of the hill country region of Texas, Better known as the Comancheria, to Oklahoma. Sullivan Ross ,( my great grandfather), one of the great heroes of TEXAS, that is highly unknown the first sitting governor in the capitol building that sits today in Austin Texas in the savior of Cynthia parker from captivity. But the big story is the Comanche Indian tribe the great plains Indian, vicious, the civilized, apathetic, intelligent. This book is Quanah

Profile Avatar Anonymous Oct 2024

a hard story about great people. the narration was so good I didn't want the book to end.

Profile Avatar Adam G. Jan 2024

The story telling and historical insight is excellent. If you are seeking to understand the history of the Indian Wars and American westward expansion, this book is a great place to begin.

Profile Avatar Miklós T. Jul 2024

I understand much better that historical moment after this book.

Profile Avatar Lauren D. Oct 2023

Fascinating

Profile Avatar Michael A. Aug 2023

Incredible eye opening perspective of the American west

Profile Avatar Keith P. Jul 2023

Absolutely brutal glimpse into a moment of time where carnage ruled the day. We hear the story of colonizers massacring Native Americans, but the conquering of land and genocide of one Native American tribe to another long before colonizers arrived is alarming. This land we call the United States of America has so much blood in its soil. Hard to read, but so important to acknowledge these parts of our history,

Profile Avatar Anonymous Mar 2023

I honestly don't understand why this audiobook is so highly rated, for it is glaringly Eurocentric and quite dated in some of its perspectives (e.g. any discussions pertaining to "civilization"). I could not finish it and subsequently deleted it from my library.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Mar 2023

I loved this book. It told the dirty truth. I am part Natjve American and it’s time someone had the courage to tell the truth. Thank you for a job well done. Some of it is hard to take but it happend

Profile Avatar Josh R. Jul 2022

Tragic story. narrator did an excellent job

Profile Avatar A. Longa Jul 2022

Comprehensive and historically accurate book on the Comanches.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Apr 2022

great story, narrator good

Profile Avatar Michael K. Sep 2021

This audiobook was amazing I sat parked in my driveway after getting home to finish whatever chapter I was on. The only thing I would say is that the book has disturbingly graphic violent first hand accounts, a couple of times I was literally sick to my stomach but it really happened and should be included.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2021

One of the best book ever to me. I listened to audio version, and to be honest, never wanted it to stop! Absolute fantastic piece of historic literature!

Profile Avatar Millie Sleasman Aug 2021

good book audiobook to have and to listen to,

Profile Avatar Archie Worsham Apr 2021

Great book. If you are from Texas, you will love this book as many present day towns in Texas and Oklahoma are used as references.

Profile Avatar Kathy P. Jan 2021

Very interesting

Profile Avatar Travis Stase Oct 2020

Good, but overhyped..

Profile Avatar Jeremy N. Aug 2020

Why wasn't this taught in school?

Profile Avatar William B. May 2020

All I can say is Wow! Great book! Ive lived in Texas all my life and learned things I never knew. For example that Cynthia Ann Parker was buried (the first time) just a few miles from my farm in East Texas! Many other amazing and interesting facts about the Comanche Indians, Texas Rangers and Texas History.

Profile Avatar Trey D. Feb 2020

Very engaging book

Profile Avatar Colin C. Feb 2020

If you’re a student of Texas history , Comanche history, Indian culture or any of the above....this book is for you. I do wish the Narrator had taken the time to learn to pronounce certain nouns. The Pecos River (or town) is NOT pronounced PEEcOhs, rather it is pronounced PAYcus. There were many other blunders uttered by the narrator as far as Texas nouns are concerned. Makes me wonder what was fumbled trying to pronounce Comanche nouns. Outside of that, it was educational, enjoyable, and even sad. Good book

Profile Avatar Phillip E. Jan 2020

Highly recommended

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jan 2020

very informative and had me attentively listening. learned a lot more than I thought I would

Profile Avatar James L. Jun 2019

A great history of the Comanche and how they dominated the Southwest region of the US. Additionally, Gwynne provides fascinating look at the history of Texas. A great book if you’re interested in the history of the Comanche or of Texas.

Profile Avatar M BELL Dec 2017

Fascinating!

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

Author: S. C. Gwynne
Read by: David Drummond
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