*Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award* *A New York Times Notable Book* *Winner of the Texas Book Award and the Oklahoma Book Award* This New York Times bestseller and stunning historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West “is nothing short of a revelation…will leave dust and blood on your jeans” (The New York Times Book Review). 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 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. 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, and the amazing story of Cynthia Ann Parker and her son Quanah—a historical feast for anyone interested in how the United States came into being. Hailed by critics, 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.

First published in 1859, Nelson Lee's Three Years Among the Comanches is perhaps the most widely known story of all Indian captivity narratives. Lee was a Texan Ranger captured by marauding Indians in the 1850s and forced to live with them as a slave for three years before making his escape. His account includes detailed descriptions of life in a nomadic Comanche village, his marriage to a young squaw, buffalo hunts, Comanche versus Apache conflicts, Comanche mythology and gut-wrenching descriptions of the terrible fates of his fellow-captives who were tortured before him, his life being spared only because of a silver alarm clock he possessed, the loud workings of which mystified his superstitious captors.

In this reprint of a classic Indian Captivity Narrative from the 19th century, Nelson Lee recounts his adventures and his narrow escape from the Comanches in tales nearly too tall to be true. From South America to Texas, he finds adventure everywhere. Lee emerges from one hairy situation only to ride into another daring adventure with the coolness of a Hollywood hero. For three years he is held captive among the Comanches. Tortured by his captors, this Texas Ranger survives to tell others about what he observes and learns about the Comanche tribe, and publishes one of the best descriptions of the life of the Texas Rangers.

This narrative has been recorded, as received from Nelson Lee's lips, from day to day, not precisely in his own words, inasmuch as he is not an educated, though an intelligent man, but his history is told substantially as he relates it. Of the entire truth of his statements, however marvelous many of them may appear, or however much the incredulous may be inclined to dispute, there can be no reasonable doubt. Evidences corroborating them are abundant. He bears upon his person the visible scars of all the wounds he is represented as having received in the border wars of Texas, and while a prisoner among the Indians. He is familiar, to the minutest detail, with the history of those stirring times when Jack Hays, and Ben McCullough, and Ewen Cameron, at the head of the hardy Rangers were wont to sally forth from the grand square of San Antonio, to uphold the banner of the "lone star'' against Mexican domination.

In 'Three Years Among the Comanches' by Nelson Lee, the readers are transported to the harsh realities of Native American life through Lee's vivid descriptions and immersive storytelling. The book is a meticulously researched account of Lee's time living among the Comanche tribe, offering insights into their customs, beliefs, and daily struggles. Written in a straightforward yet engaging style, the narrative provides a snapshot of the historical interactions between settlers and Native Americans in the American West during the 19th century. Lee's ability to capture the complexities of cultural exchange and conflict makes this book a valuable contribution to Native American literature and historical studies. Nelson Lee, a seasoned traveler and keen observer of human nature, was uniquely positioned to document his experiences with the Comanche tribe. His firsthand encounters with the tribe's customs and way of life inspired him to share his journey with a wider audience, shedding light on the often misunderstood Native American culture. Lee's dedication to authenticity and detail sets 'Three Years Among the Comanches' apart as a credible and enlightening account of a bygone era. I highly recommend 'Three Years Among the Comanches' to readers interested in Native American history, cultural studies, and immersive storytelling. Nelson Lee's book offers a unique perspective on the complexities of intercultural relationships and the resilience of the Native American people, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in exploring the intricacies of American frontier life.