The Rise and Fall of the Comanches

Published 2011-05-10

All Comments (21)
  • 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.
  • @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.
  • 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.
  • @hcervantes
    This is an excellent frontier history book, that I recommend!
  • 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.
  • @batmanleg1
    I loved the book and thinking about reading it again soon.
  • @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.
  • @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.
  • @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)
  • 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.
  • @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?