63 pages • 2 hours read
Blood and Thunder
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Book Brief
624
Book • Nonfiction
American West • 19th Century
2006
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides is a narrative history detailing the transformation of America into a transcontinental power through the life of Kit Carson, a frontiersman who played a key role in the American West's conquest from the 1800s to the 1860s, covering events like the Mexican-American War, conflicts with the Navajo, and the Civil War. The book includes violence, colonization, and dispossession of Indigenous lands.
Informative
Adventurous
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
22,931 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides is praised for its compelling narrative and thorough research, vividly recounting the American West's turbulent history. Critics commend its engaging writing and nuanced portrayal of Kit Carson. However, some note it leans heavily on dramatization, occasionally at the expense of historical accuracy. Overall, it's a captivating yet partially dramatized historical account.
Who Should Read Blood and Thunder?
Readers who enjoy dramatic historical narratives and tales of the American West will be captivated by Hampton Sides' Blood and Thunder. Fans of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Stephen Ambrose’s Undaunted Courage will find Sides’ exploration of Kit Carson and the Western frontier equally compelling.
22,931 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Stephen Watts Kearny
Stephen Watts Kearny
Commander of the Army of the West, respected for his discipline and empathy, known for his vision of equality and efforts to integrate Mexicans and Indians into the United States.
Narbona
Narbona
A respected Navajo leader, known for his wisdom and peaceful diplomacy, who represented the struggle for Navajo cultural preservation during times of change.
James Henry Carleton
James Henry Carleton
A West Point graduate and Army officer, whose career as an Indian agent was marked by a mix of arrogance and benevolence, significantly impacting the Native American communities he sought to manage.
624
Book • Nonfiction
American West • 19th Century
2006
Adult
18+ years
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