BEST book I've ever read on the old west!!

[rbertalotto]

I read two books a month. For the last two years I've been reading everything I can beg, borrow and steal about the old west. From 1830-1900 is the period that most interests me.

Many of the books I've read are excellent, but nothing compares to "Empire of the Summer Moon" by S.C.Gwynne

This is the story of Quanah Parker and the rise and fall of the Comanches.

It even gets into discission about the firearms of the time and how the Winchester realy did win the west!

I can not recommend it more highly.

[Bugscuffle]

I agree. I posted just aout the same as you a few months ago in "Cas City Historical Society". It is a great book and well researched. I really enjoyed the photos too.

[GunClick Rick]

I've only read 4 books all the way in my life,i'm not much of a reader,the best one i ever read was the original The Virginian by Owen Wister,just about every western filmed has borrowed scenes from it..I will get the one you suggest and try to sit and read it..I even have a pretty good library of western books,one is called,With Spurs about competting cattle drives around Texas..

[High Sierra]

That is a great book. Read the book earlier this year.

[PJ Hardtack]

Shouldn't this topic be on the 'Books & Movies' board?

Having said that, I'll recommend:

"The Cowboy Cavalry" by Gorden E. Tolton, the story of the irregular mounted units raised during the 1885 Rebellion in western Canada. Lest you think it a Canadian-interest only account, there were many Americans involved who swore the same oath of allegiance to Queen Victoria in order to serve. They got the same medal for service and the 160 acre land grant awarded British subjects.
I'm re-rerading this book after my last visit to Fort Macleod, the Museum of the NWMP and home of the student's summer 'Musical Ride'.

"With the Mounties in the Boots & Saddle Days" by Henrietta Dennistoun Haultain, wife of NWMP Surgeon captain Charles Selby Haultain. This book gives an insight into the daily lives of the NWMP and settlers wives and families through the eyes of an upper class lady from civilized Ontario. Reading the book makes you wish that you were there.
These people were tough, thinking nothing of a 30-50 mile ride to attend a gala or ball, winter or summer. Her husband perished through hard work and recurring bouts of debilitating enfluenza, and she reluctantly returned to Ontario, forever changed by her experience on the prairies.