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Audiobooks > History >  Native American > Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History Audiobook, by S. C. Gwynne Play Audiobook Sample

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Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History Audiobook, by S. C. Gwynne Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: S. C. Gwynne Narrator: David Drummond Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Audio Length: Release Date: September 2016 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781508229568
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Publisher Description

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize

This stunning historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West was a major New York Times bestseller.

In the tradition of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, a stunningly vivid historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West, centering on Quanah, the greatest Comanche chief of them all.

S. C. Gwynne’s 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 readers may be more familiar with the tribal 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. Comanche boys became adept bareback riders by age six; full Comanche braves were considered the best horsemen who ever rode. 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.

Against this backdrop Gwynne presents the compelling drama of Cynthia Ann Parker, a lovely nine-year-old girl with cornflower-blue eyes who was kidnapped by Comanches from the far Texas frontier in 1836. She grew to love her captors and became infamous as the “White Squaw” who refused to return until her tragic capture by Texas Rangers in 1860. More famous still was her son Quanah, a warrior who was never defeated and whose guerrilla wars in the Texas Panhandle made him a legend.

S. C. Gwynne’s account of these events is meticulously researched, intellectually provocative, and, above all, thrillingly told. Empire of the Summer Moon announces him as a major new writer of American history.

Download and start listening now!

Awards

  • Finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Gwynne thoroughly researched this topic and presented a thorough and entertaining history. My only complaint is I listened after a Bryson book and by comparison Gwynne is dry. "

    - Rickhoff, 5/31/2022
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I thoroughly enjoyed the content and narration of this epic explanation of a time not so long ago. Epic and a wealth of knowledge of those times. "

    - Quick$ilverline, 8/4/2020
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Incredible book. Insane that this is all true. The audiobook format is great and the narration is impressive. Recommend to everyone. "

    - CAB, 7/9/2020
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very informative, exciting stories, interesting characters, takes you to the different place and time "

    - Tom, 4/26/2020
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is an excellent book! It gives you so much information about the plains Indians... things that you never learned in school... and I live in Texas! I recommend this to everyone. I usually do not read these type of books. "

    - krandall, 1/31/2020
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Amazing story of Texas and the southwest. It's hard to imagine how hard people were required to be back then. Hard to imagine how this inevitable conflict could've been resolved. Amazing story of tribalism. "

    - Chris V, 1/15/2020
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great Book. As a Texas native I really enjoyed learning the history of the Comanche Nation and where many decisive actions took place. What an amazing time in our history. "

    - Ed, 6/16/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A very interesting and enoyable history of America's westward expansion and the lives of indians. An eye opener. "

    - Herbert, 5/19/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A clear eyed view of the history of, and around the Comanche nation, in the 1830's to 70's. By necessity, the story draws in threads of the impact on the southern plains of the Spanish introduction of the horse to the area and what is known about the early history of the Comanches and their rise to dominance on the southern plains via both evidence and stories and is a deeply researched and complete piece of work all wrapped around stories of the settlers, the Rangers, the soldiers and the Comanches of that era. We have been binge listening to it as it has filled in this gaping hole in our knowledge of American history. Wonderful book. "

    - Tim, 5/23/2016
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved reading this. Quanah Parker is fascinating. "

    - Sherida, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was wonderfully researched history of the mounted Native American Indian warrior. It explained why the Spanish who ruled Mexico could never conquer them. It explored the Comanche lifestyle and how it lent itself to becoming such a fearsome part of the United State's and especially Texas' history. It took me a while to get through the first few pages, but once I did, I was so hooked I couldn't put it down. This book adds perspective to the history of the western expansion of the United States. It paints an honest picture of both the settlers and the Native American Indians without idolizing or slandering either. A must read for anyone interested in world history and politics. "

    - Josephine, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A well done book but too much detailed history to keep my interest. "

    - Heidijojag, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " "Empire" provided the best Texas History education I ever received in school. Amazing book! "

    - Logan, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I wanted to follow up Philbrick's "Last Stand" with another book about the 1800s and the conquering of the West at the expense of the Native Americans so I picked up "Empire..." having read some interesting reviews. Mistake. Just because you repeat something does not mean that it makes for interesting reading. After reading several times repeatedly, " Mounting infantry onto horses to fight the best horseman in the world was a mistake", I had enough. I get it already. The Comanches were great horseman and vicious fighters. We do not have to hear several hundred examples of how they scalped pregnant women to make a point. And what was that point afterall? The southwest circa 1840-1890 was cruel? Harsh? Got it. I just didn't care for the characters, the storyline which jumped all over the place, the land. Blah. The author just dumps fact after fact about Indian/ white man cruelty, border wars etc. A much read some about the innate nature of man and how it displays itself during this period is Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian". I just couldn't give Gwynne any more of my time. "

    - Lou, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good read about the last Native American resistance to Western expansion. Focused on the Comanches and the settlement of west Texas and the rather brutal form of warfare practiced there (on both sides). The last leader was a half white Comanche whose mother had been taken captive and then chose to 'go native.' Good read. "

    - Alex, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Good, bad or indifferent, I am a Texan and this unflinching book about this part of Texas (for the most part) history held my interest from the first word through the last. I was riveted. Having been to and through most of the physical locations helped this book come alive for me. One of the better books I have read. "

    - Rick, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is really well written and rids me of any romantic notions I might have had about the American West. Both the cowboys and the indians sucked. "

    - Jill, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting history, though it wanders a bit. The depictions of the Comanches is quite condemning - our image of "the noble Indian" is turned on its head. The lesson to take away is that people usually judge others by how we ourselves would behave, without taking culture into context. "

    - Stuart, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book! Enjoyed learning some aspects of Quanah that I didn't know previously. "

    - Sharon, 10/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent read. Evocative style creates sympathy for both the Native People and the Newcomers. I learned a lot that I didn't know. He organized his material--and there's so much of it!--with amazing facility. What a great historical writer! "

    - Sue, 7/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Raw and rugged, this is the story of the native people of the high plains on a collision course with the westward-bound Europeans. Unflinching history of this time and place in US history. I found it a fascinating read. "

    - Rock, 6/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Amazing read, very interesting and enlightening. "

    - Nadeen, 5/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is non-fiction and was interesting from the front to the end. Quanah Parker, half breed and son of Cynthia Ann Parker, stolen by Indians, was raised by Indians and bore an Indian Chief. Very graphic, live you in a different understanding of how the west was won. "

    - Marshall, 5/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Truly one of the best books I’ve read is some time. A “no holes bared” look at the decimation of so many lives in the expansion of the United States west ward and the collision of cultures that resulted in the wars of the “High Planes” to the “Southwest Territories“. And the story of the men that not only defined the times but, redefined themselves. Excellently written and informative. "

    - Wallace, 12/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Pretty enthralling. "

    - Mat, 11/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very interesting read but would have liked more information on Quanah's life "

    - Deb, 1/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Incredibly fascinating story; the book itself is a little heavy on the details of battles, lighter than I had hoped on the story of Quanah himself. Changed my perspective of American history. "

    - Olivia, 1/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I wish I'd known more about Quanah Parker and the Comanches when I was growing up in Oklahoma. Gwynne's well-told tale compresses two hundred years of conquest and characters into a fast read that left me wanting more. "

    - Maureen, 8/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting history of Comanches and their leader Quanah Parker. "

    - Ron, 7/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Yes, the Comanches were badasses, but they don't deserve or need all this "empire" hyperbole Gwynne foists on them. Still a fascinating read tho. "

    - SL, 7/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " To quote one of my friends who suggested this book. When you read this book it is like listening to your favorite professor giving a lecture. Everything is well documented. Highly educational!!! "

    - Kathy, 7/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Really informative and interesting but was too detailed and dense for me... didn't finish. The story of the Comanches and the impact of horses on their culture is fascinating. "

    - Heather, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A very interesting look at the fate of the Comanche Indians. Not a pretty picture either from the Indian or the white perspective. But the content was very non-partial; an honest look at that time in history. Pretty graphic so not for the faint of heart. "

    - Peg, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of the best books I've read in a long time. History that reads like the most exciting thriller. Great insights into the expansion of the United States into the West and the crushing cultural conflict that decimated Native American tribes. Fascinating and brilliantly written. "

    - Joel, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " very difficult to read, jumped around too much, research good but was disappointed with the title it was miss leading. very little on Quanah "

    - Linda, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent writing astute observations about the Commanches. "

    - Jon, 4/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Outstanding history of the Comanche tribe and the loss of all they had in the end. I had no idea they were so brutal. "

    - Lee, 4/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Fabulous historical update on the good, bad, and ugly in decisions and actions made by all sides. No fluff in this read, just the truth. "

    - Lynn, 4/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting historical read, not novel like. Author geeks out on Native American culture at times, but fascinating book and people "

    - Sally, 3/29/2011

About the Author

Robert Petkoff is an actor and audiobook narrator who has won a prestigious Audie Award and multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards. He has appeared on Chappelle’s Show, Law & Order, and Quantum Leap. His Broadway credits include Sir Robin in Spamalot, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, and Tateh in Ragtime.

About the Narrator

David Drummond has made his living as an actor for over twenty-five years, appearing on stages large and small throughout the country and in Seattle, Washington, his hometown. He has narrated over thirty audiobooks, in genres ranging from current political commentary to historical nonfiction, fantasy, military, thrillers, and humor. He received an AudioFile Earphones Award for his first audiobook, Love ’Em or Lose ’Em: Getting Good People to Stay. When not narrating, he keeps busy writing plays and stories for children.