The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West

V well written and documented.
Included are a great overview of this manifest destiny period.
A lot of info about a unique individual. In a great writing style. You won't be able to put it down. Top notch.

Mr Sides has created a history of the West around memorable characters. His development of the famous Indians [Native Americans] and their enemies and friends is most informative.

This is a must read for anyone interested in how the West part of America was settled and developed, the trials and tribulations of the settlers and Natives.

Sides spent years and significant travels throughout the West to get his material, some of which was developed from first hand naration with participants.

Wonderful historical fiction--but is so much more. Doesn't just follow the life of Kit Carson--also discusses many other historical figures (most of whom I have never heard). Clarifies events and explains American expansionism (post-Monroe Doctrine) in a way that is both engaging and illuminating.

An overview of"winning the west" and the subjugation of the Indians, particularly the Navajo tribe, Told through a prism of number of historical figures, most notably kit Carson, who led the most unbelievable life in the mid 1800's. This a fascinating story.

This was a very interesting book about Kit Carson and the American expansion of the West. Lots of details which I enjoyed learning about our Manifest Destiny, some shameful and some noble, but it was a bit slow to read. I think there were "too many" unnecessary details to be a truly enjoyable read.

Sides has scoured the information available on Carson (such as it is...) and fleshed him out beautifully to the extent that I've ordered another of his books AND a book mentioned as a source. I couldn't help picturing Alan Ladd (in "Shane") as Kit Carson. And SHOULD one ever find one's self on the trail with no water, simply cut your horse's ear and drink its blood... Much is unforgettable.

Purchased for my husband and he loved this book. He is an avid reader and did not rush to read this book but when he got into it he really enjoyed it and said he learned some things about Kit Carson he had known.

Hampton Sides has a writing style that makes this period of American history come to life. He does not romanticize his subject, neither does he use sensationalism to keep his reader's attention. Kit Carson was a man of his time and Hampton Sides is careful not to ascribe modern attitudes to this 19th century "celebrity." Well worth reading.

If you live in New Mexico, or anywhere between Missouri and New Mexico, or really anywhere at all, then this is a great story that you will enjoy if you enjoy great stories. Hampton Sides knows what he's doing. He's probably a nice guy who is really interesting to talk to, but I don't know since I haven't met him.

Wonderful in every regard. A thrilling read, in-depth scholarship, and rich detail. I keep a copy in Santa Fe for my guests to read. It's a book that improves with each read. If you live in or care about the Southwest, this is a must-have. Hampton Sides is a terrific writer.

Most of us have read about Kit Carson sometime in school. This book covers his life in depth and shows what a fascinating life he lived. From his days as a mountain man trapping and exploring the west and later as a guide and soldier. He lived a full life until the very end.

Absolutely fantastic. It helped that I was driving through some of the countryside in which the event took place while reading the book. Also, interesting was the fact that I have an ancestor caught up in one of the raids of the time by either Kiowa or Comanche - he was killed in 1860. Well researched and a gripping read.

Hampton Sides uses the English language to describe the fascinating and shameful American Expansion in a way I have not read before. I read the book so fast that when I finished I immediately turned back to the beginning and read it again. I have carried the soft-back book around like a diamond ring...yes, even sleeping with the book under my pillow. When I love a book this much I have to have the hard-back version, so Mr. Hampton Sides will you sign my book?

An interesting discovery for me is that in the 80's I bought a book called "Touch the Earth" by T.C. McLuhan...it has the same cover picture and first picture in the book by Edward S. Curtis...my heart leaped with joy! I would love to ask Hampton Sides about this...does he know?

An excellent history of the US expansion in the West and many pivotal actors in the process. A thorough study of Kit Carson and his contributions
to this process and some of the injustices done to native Americans.

Very interesting to read about characters and events that had such a tremendous impact on our nation's expansion to the west coast. I enjoyed reading the book and thought the author provided an excellent balance between the competing view points.

A very informative and rich description of the transformation of the Southwest throughout the early 19th century. Kit Carson is as incredible a figure as I have ever read about. He was a man truly made for his time. I was reluctant to read about the "Indian Wars" because they always depressed me but I am really glad I read through these parts. Not always easy reading but extremely interesting.

Without trying to repeat all the other reviewers' fine entries, I will say that it's one of the best U.S. non-fiction books I've read. Like Ghost Soldiers and Stomping Grounds, it was extremely well-researched and well-written. However, I would have given the book five stars except for one beef I have with Hampton Sides. Sides sometimes writes with an unnecessarily inflated vocabulary, well above the standard educational level of the reading public, and at times taking on the flowery prose of 19th-century poets and novelists. One of many examples, he tells of Kit Carson dictating some of his memoir to an amanuensis (one who takes dictation). Now why use this Latin word when "secretary, " or "assistant," or "clerk" would have been sufficient? This issue may not bother everyone, but it bugs me.

I got this book on the recommendation of a friend and just before we did a 3 week trip to New Mexico and Arizona in the fall of 2009. The book is very well written and with my prior knowledge of the area, it was a wonderful way to read and prepare for our trip. The authors style is easy to read and each chapter fits into Kit Carson's life. If you have ever visited New Mexico and Arizona or plan to visit, I strongly recommend reading this history to get an overview of the area.

One of the better writers of our generation. The whole western genre is terribly overdone, but Sides breathes some life into it without being sanctimonious. I enjoyed the topic, writing, and research.

I got this book on the recommendation of a friend and just before we did a 3 week trip to New Mexico and Arizona in the fall of 2009. The book is very well written and with my prior knowledge of the area, it was a wonderful way to read and prepare for our trip. The authors style is easy to read and each chapter fits into Kit Carson's life. If you have ever visited New Mexico and Arizona or plan to visit, I strongly recommend reading this history to get an overview of the area.

One of the better writers of our generation. The whole western genre is terribly overdone, but Sides breathes some life into it without being sanctimonious. I enjoyed the topic, writing, and research.

Hampton Sides' Blood and Thunder is simply the most exiting and honest portrait of Kit Carson and his time I`ve ever read. You fly through the pages and will not be disturbed while reading. You get all the sides of Carsons personality and the sad story of the autumn of the navahoes and other indians. Too read history like this beats reading the most fantastic fiction.
Mik

A great story about an great American icon, and what a read. Kit Carson, a maker of American history. Thank goodness he is most known for the great things he did at unimaginable personal sacrifice, and not the terrible things that were driven by cultural values of a much different time.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is shocking and does not try to soften the violence of the conquest of New Mexico. It has very interesting details about Kit Carson's life and deeds, both good and brutal.

Never boring. Mr. Sides paints a clear, well documented picture of what actually happened here. Blood and Thunder goes a long way toward explaining the tense dynamics between the angelos, the hispanics, and the many tribes of native Americans here. Sad, funny and infuriating at the same time. Many of the offspring of the characters mentioned in the book are still living here today.

We thoroughly enjoyed this book. While it is a biography of Kit Carson it is also a nice condensed history of the southwest. We have recommended this book to a number of friends who have also enjoyed the book. Having lived in Northern New Mexico for a number of years we feel that it presents a fairly balanced treatment of the native peoples.

I never realized just dramatic, bloody, wondrous, and terrifying the settling of the west must have been for ordinary people, people probably just like us. Wow, what an adventure. Kit Carson--despite your dark side, what an incredible person you were. And you're still one of my all-time heroes.

Sides created an extremely readable history, about an unbelievable man.. Kiut Carson. The American history within is fabulous, and essential to anyone interested in the "making" of the West, and the destruction of the Indians

Very informative. I guess building a country is never pretty. To the conqueror go the spoils. From the beginning of time even the Native American Indian couldn't get along in peace with other tribes-much less invaders of their homeland. I'm not sure how you measure progress against destroying cultures.

I visited the Kit Carson museum in Taos this fall. The book was recommended by the lady that was working there.

The book significantly surpassed my expectations. The book provided not only insight into Kit Carson's life, but all the people that touched his life. It is truly remarkable how Kit Carson was involved with the "movers and shakers" of that time. It also provided some perspective and background on the native Americans' culture and how they clashed with the American and New Mexicans. It was a very easy read and I would highly recommend the book.

This is good book about Kit Carson. It is surprisingly full of unknown facts about Carson. The writing is good but it is organized a oddly. It flips back and forth between various characters forcing the reader to pay careful attention to the timeline and characters. Overall it is a good read.

I finished the book over the course of three nights while winter camping in the southwest corner of Washington. Details the life of Kit Carson and also the plight of the Indian tribes of the west, especially the Navajos.

If you are interested in the history of the American expansion westward,this book is a must.
It is a remarkable story, and sheds light on the true nature of Kit Carson, an american legend . as well as the growth of our Union from coast to coast. You will learn facts about this period of American history, the Santa fe trail, and creation conquest of the state of California ,as well as the Native American's of the southwest, and coastal regions.
You will likely find this a literary gem, and could be hard to put down, a true page turner.

Hampton Sides has a writing style that brings/invites you in and allows you to absorb the narrative completely. You get to do your own interpretation of what inspires, provokes or just stirs your emotions. Can't put it down. Love the history and colorfulness of all of the content!

Very interesting story of one of the earliest and one of the best known American explorers in the mid-19th century, Kit Carson. He and the ones he lived with are giants in American history. Well written and interesting book
Order was done quickly, good communications with Jesson Books. All in all a good process.

Very well-researched history brought to life. Told from the viewpoint of the American settlers, the Mexican residents and the several Indian tribes involved. Covers the final conquest of California as well as the events in and around Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico. Tells of the great significance of Kit Carson in several key events, and what a fine man he was.