Book – Empire of the Summer Moon

On July 17 of 2013 I posted an article on this book, “Empire of the Summer Moon” by S. C. Gwynne, copyright 2010.  I neglected to write further of it after I finished a few weeks later.

I am a slow reader, and it just never happened.

This cannot really be a finished review, but I will state I was involved in the story.  The history has much to do with Quanah Parker, his mother Cynthia Ann Parker, and Quanah’s rise in the white man’s world.

The following is a quote from the book about Quanah Parker:

“Quanah speaks English, is considerably advanced in civilization, and owns a ranch with considerable livestock and a small farm; wears a citizen’s suit and conforms to the customs of civilization–withal a fine-looking and dignified son of the plains….He is tall, muscular, as straight as an arrow; look-you-straight-through eyes, very dark skin, perfect teeth, and heavy, raven-black hair–the envy of feminine hearts….He has a handsome carriage and drives a pair of matched grays.”

The quote is a chapter 20 footnote for a quote from James T. DeShields, article “Cynthia Ann Parker: The Story of Her Capture”.

I found it to be very interesting for history, and after I really got into the story found it hard to put the book down.

It is not a children’s story.  It is for an adult reading.

-tim

A Book I am Reading – Empire of the Summer Moon

Let me tell you about a book I am reading.  One I am finding very interesting.  It is not a book dealing with any aspect of Christianity, but the history of our nation; at least one part of it.  It has to do with one of the Native American tribes of this nation.  The Comanche.

The book is titled “Empire of the Summer Moon” by S. C. Gwynne copyright 2010.  Let me first of all say that I am not a “PC” (Politically Correct) person.  For the most part when it comes to being an American citizen I do not recognize Black people as “African American”, nor do I recognize Asian people as “Asian American”, nor whites as “Caucasion American”, nor; well  you get the picture.  However when it comes to what we know as the American Indian; I have absolutely no whims or problems with referring to them as “Native Americans”, because they are the only true Natives on this continent, or in this Nation.

Back to the book.  Mr Gwynne gives us a history of not only the Comanche Indian, but of the early days of the Republic of Texas with many of its problems, atrocities, and tragedies.  He deals with the Parker family from which came Cynthia Ann Parker who as a nine year old girl was taken captive by the Comanche, lived with them for 24 years, was rescued and she herself returned to the tribe, because she had three children born to her by a chieftain Peta Nocona and one of these children was a son who is known in American History as Quanah Parker.

The Comanche tribe was “the most powerful Indian Tribe in American History”.  This according to the sub title to the book.  James Parker, and uncle of Cynthia Ann Parker was an early Texas Ranger, and according to Mr. Gwynne’s history was a murderer, drunkard, preacher, and thief.

According to this account of history the Comanche were the most vicious, vile, and most feared on the plains.  Even the Apache feared them.

I have only read nine of the 22 chapters.  If they are as interesting as the first nine it will be a good read.  One thing I learned in the ninth chapter, is that a movie directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne  used James Parker’s story for the basis of the movie “The Searchers”.  James Parker according to history searched high and low, for many years for his own daughter Rachel, a grandson James Pratt Plummer, and Cynthia Ann Parker; without much success.

The history of our nation is full of history, good and bad.  History is made for us to learn from; not always to copy.

-tim