The Rise and Fall of the Comanches

Learn more about The Empire of the Summer Moon at books.simonands... Empire of the Summer Moon author, S.C. Gwynne, talks about the Comanches, the most powerful and influential tribe in American history.

[@TripleVantagePoint]

I read this book. I was amazed at how little I had known about these events - every chapter was a discovery for me. It was fascinatingly revealing about the Comanches, but I don't think it idolized them or sided with them. I feel like the Comanches, the white settlers, the Texas Rangers and the military were all shown fairly, both the positive and the negative. The history written here is both intense and tragic, no matter where your sympathies lie. I highly recommend this book.

[@dks13827]

Nice, true, thoughtful comment. Thank you.

[@gardeniabee]

I've been listening to this book on CD, and am learning a lot and enjoying it. Thank you for researching & writing it.

[@Deepdesert]

Thanks, I enjoyed reading this book while on deployment.

[@hcervantes]

This is an excellent frontier history book, that I recommend!

[@tomcata1467]

The Commanches were the reason Texas was 40 years behind the nation in getting settled by white people. They rolled back the frontier down here in Texas by hundreds of miles until they were finally defeated, by the application of technology and doggedness, on the part of the U.S. Army. Nevertheless, one treaty, in particular, made between German-Americans in the Hill Country and the Commanche, known as the Muesebach-Commanche treaty, was never broken by either side, thus, certain areas in Texas were relatively peaceful, at the same time, other areas were quite violent. To this day, descendants of Texas settlers, can still relate family stories of sorrow and the heart-ache, of losing loved ones to the Commanches, and other lesser, Native-American bands in Texas.

[@diegolopez000]

tomcata1467 the Comanches are also the reason why we all get taught of native Americans people as wearing bucking clothing, moccasins and the classical Native American headdress. Bciase they formed a kind of an empire that was very big and imposed their plains culture to the rest of natives 👍

[@terrykeith4791]

Great book. I ranched not far from Palo Dura Canyon. Even though I have always known about Quanah Parker this book open my eyes to a much larger story colonization of Texas and the Southwest. Thanks for writing it.

[@detroittechno7904]

Only just discovered yourself and your book. Once I get back in my feet I will be going out to get the book. Genuinely grabbed my full attention. Hope your doing well.

[@Cat-pb9dv]

loved this book, so informative not only the Comanches and their culture, but also what was happening during their reign, from the civil war to the invention of the Colt rifle. Can't wait to see the film (hopefully Hollywood won't screw it up)

[@davidbusby2550]

they will - count on it

[@batmanleg1]

I loved the book and thinking about reading it again soon.

[@thomasmichael5940]

The German communities in the Texas Hill country were the most successful in their dealings with the powerful Commanche bands, creating treaties with them which were honored by both sides until the end of the Texas Indian Wars.

[@Im_T.O.]

Loved this book.

[@cdd3]

brilliant book

[@sunnyseacat6857]

Remarkably well-written book intertwining the Commanches, Quanah Parker, Cynthia Ann Parker, the Texas Rangers, Apaches, Parker family, and Mexico using the Commanches as a buffer from the whites ... and how it all ties together. Cynthia Ann Parker's story is utterly heartbreaking. It seems that Quanah sought to justify heinous crimes because of the death of his father and kidnapping of his mother. And that Quanah chose to help his people by guiding them to reservation life (unbeknownest to them what that entailed) versus being killed. And that Quanah became quite a businessman and diplomat. Amazing story.

[@tonybmusic1166]

Great book.

[@barbaraloe897]

Excellent !!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤💖❤💖

[@winwin221]

Great read! I listened on Audible. The narrator mispronounces Llano Estacado, which is pronounced YANO

[@MichaelLynMusic]

This Book will challenge ANYTHING you thought you knew about "Indian Relations" in the old west...the Savagery Alone...will blow your mind...

[@logankelley3047]

Texan Chick, This book is wonderful. Take it up with the author him self if you have a problem

[@libville]

I'm reading it (2/3 through) and find it informative and recommend it. Having said that, the author continually takes sides with the Comanches and generalizes in describing the white people in the story who have literally come from every corner of Europe and the Eastern US.

[@stevendavis1940]

The Comanches were victims... I guess we are all victims. The Comanches' power. How did they attain power?

[@alvaroakatico9188]

Diplomatic and political influence.

[@lotharluder2743]

Its all highly interessting this part of History. Here in Germany there was a lot of propaganda that the native tribes had higher moral standards in warfare and livingstyl in general then the white people. Now I find Videos in You Tube they say that especily Camanchy tribe had be cruel monsters against other tribes even before the white arrived . But what is the trues. I think Gene Roddenberry said ones that the grad of civilisation can be messured by the styl of warfare. In that sense its hard for me to find a civilisation I feel good about.

[@rayerscarpensael2300]

Their role is largely exagerated. While the Sioux inflicted countless victims at the us army and won dozens of battles and skirmishes, there is none or almost won by he comanches. Hardly any fights compared to the Cheyenne either. They had like 2000 warriors for a territory as big as France, not that much of a barrier. As soon as the white steam roll came in geographical order to their lands it was over. ThevLakota from 1866 till 1876 truly reigned because of military winns.

[@MaTTheWish]

What other books would you recommend?

[@lechandler4041]

Question for the Author: Why were the Comanches so war like, since the Shoshone, their progenitors were on the whole peaceable?

[@romancandle416]

Why is one civilization warlike while a neighboring civilization is peaceful? Usually, that's a hard question to really answer.

[@thetonycam3944]

That's actually a good question.

[@operaguy1]

They proactively chose it. When they got the horse, they "lost the corn."

[@lindencamelback2305]

@@operaguy1 Maybe God will inform us someday. Like why did the Mexicans bow down to the Comanches while the Texans (i.e. Americans) defeated them. Of course, the majority of the Texans were ex Civil War veterans which may explain it.

[@operaguy1]

Population count.

[@lcnmezzetta]

Ah Hum, "foot-noted to death", or perhaps indication of scholarship?