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My brother majored in history at U of H and got an M.A. at Tulane, before he decided that he needed to make a living and went to law school. He probably has an even dimmer view of Fehrenbach than Birdy does. I have to admit that there are better books about Indians in Texas, but you kind of have to read Fehrenbach just to get full range of the historical treatments. Kind of like reading Walter Prescott Webb's history of the Texas Rangers--good reading when you're a kid, but somewhat lacking in objectivity.

That ain't no shhit, and if anybody really studies the indigenous people they know that the Europeans were welcomed as a source of food, slaves and novelty. We didn't work out to good for them though...much like African slaves.

Just ordered the book, found new hardback on Alibris, $17.00 with shipping. Thanks for the recommendation.

Just downloaded to my NookColor for $9.99. With Oprah gone, I really need the Campfire for book recommendations.

TR Farenbach also wrote an excellent book about the Comanches titled, Comanches: The History of a People.

Expat

Just finished it two days ago. Very good work and tells the story with no punches pulled on either side.

Indeed it was. Gwynne is a gifted writer and thorough researcher.



The only people I know of, historically speaking, with greater blood-thirst than the Plains Indians of the 19th century were the caucasian peoples of Europe from which most of us descend.

if you study the period Doc, 'blood thirst' was pretty common world wide at that point, and really, during the entire history of man kind.
Check the Balkins before and after WW I, Africa, Asia. We are a cruel, and mean species.

I'm such a cheap old bastard, that I'll get it from the public library.

Thanks for the tip Doc. I will pick it up. Always like reading about both sides of the story.

Another great read is Indeh by Eve Ball. Eve Ball taught and lived on the Mecalero Reservation. She was able to interview many of the older Apache men including some Chihuachuas.

http://books.google.com/books?id=q7...&q=indah%20apache%20book&f=false

My youngest son is a historic archaeologist here, working for a local archaeological contracting firm. Spanish and French colonial history were always our two passions. The most difficult thing to get anyone in this state to accept is the fact that the history of Texas did not begin in 1836.

I had heard of this book, then I completely forgot about it after retirement! Now I have the chance to make up! Thanks for the reminder Doc! Did it happen to mention the Comanche delegation that visited Natchitoches Louisiana circa 1770-ish??? At that time they returned the Spanish cannon they captured at the Taovaya village fight on the Red River, along with the help of allied Wichitas and Taovaya's in 1759!!!

One of the coolests quotes on this fight written by the Spanish commander, who led this expedition against the "Nortenos", was a Comanche "Chieftan" on horseback firing fusils, with two runners along side constantly reloading his "French" fusils so he never had an empty!

Kaywoodie

I finished it last week. It was enjoyable although I have a very hard time reading parts of any work dealing with torture and gang rape. Unlike the wartime situation where groups of people go away and do tragic stuff, it's hard for me to get my head around the idea that people can flip in and out of that mindset and be violent and ruthless on an out-of-town business trip and transition to being a family and civic minded guy the rest of the time. (Can you imagine that husband-wife pillow talk?????)

While on the topic of the end of an era, I immediately segued into Mark Steyn's "After America: Get Ready For Armageddon." I haven't finished it, but it is equally sobering.

I finished it, and my wife is now reading it.

Thanks for the tip, Doc.

Paul

I'm about a third of the way through it. It's a good one. He says that Texas volunteers "were not only not scared of Indians but actually 'liked' hunting them down and killing them"! It's a great history book.

I mentioned "Empire of the Summer Moon" in this forum some months ago and while it was an interesting read, I thought there was a goodly portion of revisionist history that I would expect from a born and bred New Yorker who lives in Austin.

While extensively researched, his citations didn't always match his conclusions. Or if they did it was only a partial match. Nonetheless, as I said, it was an interesting read. Many will enjoy it.

just finished Blood and Thunder about Kit Carson and primarily the Navajo people, always looking for another good read.


really appreciate when you guys share your good finds. Thank you.

Terry sent me his copy, and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed it !

GREAT read.

GTC

I'm in the middle of it right now, it is fascinating.

The Comanches played hell with the Mexicans, stealing livestock and people. The Spaniards welcomed the Texicans as a buffer zone.

Another book that i didn't see mention here is Los Comanches - the Horse People 1751-1845 authored by Stanley Noyes.
An excellent read - i finished it and then re-read it.

I haven't read anything recently that really captured my mind.......i will be seeking out the titles mentioned here. Thanx.