Empire of the Summer Moon

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

De: S. C. Gwynne

Narrado por: David Drummond

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 listeners may be more familiar with the names Apache and Sioux, it was in fact the legendary fighting ability of the Comanches that determined just how and when the American West opened up. 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. So effective were the Comanches that they forced the creation of the Texas Rangers and account for the advent of the new weapon specifically designed to fight them: the six-gun.

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 - a historical feast for anyone interested in how the United States came into being.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016 S. C. Gwynne (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Difficult to endure narrator

The narrator is difficult to endure. The voice cadence is unnatural, inflection of tone also unnatural. Almost robotic. Book however is fascinating.

Fabulous

I enjoy Western history. I am no buff and have read a number of books overlapping this subject matter, but it was clear to me why this was a Pulitzer finalist. It was very accessible, a smooth read, and did not get repetitive or unnecessarily overdetailed. I highly rcommend this book to family and friends.

Outstanding

This book was an outstanding compilation of fact’s. It was introduced in a flowing narrative that kept my interest throughout. I deeply appreciate the lesson.

Fascinating but tragic

I enjoyed this story of the Comanches and also learned a lot. I read that Taylor Sheridan (of Yellowstone fame) has optioned the book rights. So we may get a tv series of this book which I would be very interested in.

The Last Chief of the Comanche

This is pretty great all around! This story of Quanah Parker manages to be deep without too heavy on the details, opting to create a narrative rather than a textbook. The source material is interesting, and really emphasizes the humanity of its central cast. Overall, great historical tale!

thank you

amazingly educational. I couldnt wait to get to the next chapter. one of the most significant and entertaining books i have ever read. fantastic job projecting an accurate and honest account of the hardships endured in the early days of the westward push and the effects eventually felt by the plains tribes.

Very informative

Detail history and well put together.
Enjoyed immensely.
The reading was mundane but the content was engaging.

Essential read regarding American history

Empire of the Summer Moon is a great book about the Comanche tribe. It tells the story of the Comanches from their origins to their decline, and it is narrated by Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief. Gwynne's writing is clear and engaging, and he does a great job of bringing the Comanches to life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in American history or Native American culture.

A Great and Honest Book on Indian Culture

I love history when the author takes the time to tell both sides of the same story with a realistic approach. Gwynne doesn’t tried to hide any of the blemishes that these people have. He tells the good, the bad, and the ugly.

this was so amazing to listen to. fascinating.

This was such an amazing story. I learned so much about the Comanche and other tribes as well as about the histories of so many people. excellent narrator. I will listen to it multiple times.