Post by yonze on Feb 17, 2013 12:02:57 GMT -5
I came across this book in my local library. Not a new book but it doesn’t seem to have been reviewed here. I’m new to Comanche history and this book tells the story of their rise from the 1700s via their early acquisition of the horse and their mastery of mounted warfare. It describes their battles with the Spanish, Mexicans, settlers, Texas Rangers and US troops to their eventual move to the reservations in the 1880s.
The most powerful and influential tribe of the southern plains, even though they had virtually no political system and their five bands - bound by culture, language and tradition - usually acted independently of one another.
Quanah Parker, perhaps their greatest chief, and the only one who could really be said to the “Chief of the Comanche”, as opposed to a band, was the son of a white mother. He was the last to go onto the reservation. While he is mentioned in the book’s subtitle, this book is not all about him, fascinating though he is.
The story of his mother Cynthia Ann, captured by the Comanche at nine years old, is woven throughout, as is that of Col. Ranald Mackenzie who was probably the most successful of the white soldiers in the South. The contrast between his career and Custer’s is interesting.
When I come across a good book I buy it for my library. This one’s a keeper.
The most powerful and influential tribe of the southern plains, even though they had virtually no political system and their five bands - bound by culture, language and tradition - usually acted independently of one another.
Quanah Parker, perhaps their greatest chief, and the only one who could really be said to the “Chief of the Comanche”, as opposed to a band, was the son of a white mother. He was the last to go onto the reservation. While he is mentioned in the book’s subtitle, this book is not all about him, fascinating though he is.
The story of his mother Cynthia Ann, captured by the Comanche at nine years old, is woven throughout, as is that of Col. Ranald Mackenzie who was probably the most successful of the white soldiers in the South. The contrast between his career and Custer’s is interesting.
When I come across a good book I buy it for my library. This one’s a keeper.