A True Story of Abduction by Indians on the Texas Frontier

Fascinating look at Anglo children taken by native Americans in the 1850's to 1870's and the ending of tribal control of the plains. Shows the ignoble racial hatred evinced by Sherman and others that led to the natives demise.

A captivating account of the abductions of German settler children by American Indian tribes in the1870ies. Well researched and well written!
Interesting are the problems encountered when trying to reintegrate them into "white society". They did not want to give up their Indian ways.

This book warrants a review (I normally don't write them) but feel this is essential reading to provide a more balanced look at American Indian history. There were heavy casualties on both sides but I found the former white Indians struggle to assimilate sad but captivating. All the aformentioned reviews capture the spirit of this book extremely well.

This is an extremely interesting story and well-written. You can tell the author is quite taken with the Native American culture and that is where his heart lies and he is definitely on their side while telling this story. The Indian way of life is just so much more appealing than the life the uptight white man led. Be warned, though. There was a lot of brutality on both sides, some quite heart wrenching and difficult to read. No matter what horror the Indians inflicted the author makes them sound like really nice folks who only wanted to keep leading the leisurely lifestyle they had known up to then. Bad white people. Good Indians. I don't quite buy it but the book is so thoughtfully written with such skill and detail, that fault is easily overlooked. I have already gifted it to one family member - it's that good.

Well written and sourced story. I was surprised how well written this story was, and non biased regarding the actions of the comanches/apaches, or the German settlers. The author really raises the question of why these children, after abduction, whether a few months or years, had so much difficulty reassimilating into thier born (German) culture.

This story, so well written and researched, moved me so much, and allowed me to realize how multifacited the Native American/ White Settlers dilema was. As a novice researching my own geneology, I admire all the research he has done.

Very interesting to read true stories of real people captured by the Indians. The Indians were treated fairly and honestly as to their way of life and customs. It was interesting that so many who had spent time as captives actually preferred the Indian way of life and had trouble adjusting to their 'American" ways again. It was surprising that they almost all seemed to forget their native tongue very quickly; contemporary wisdom tells us that children can easily be bilingual and effortlessly use more than one language without even being aware of the mixture that may come from their mouths. Also interesting to read about Texas and areas with which I am very familiar.

Good read, really puts the history of the Indian fighting in Texas in perspective. The stories of loss and continued searching touch your heart. These people were brave and tough as nails.
It is fair and balanced (not like fox news) it tells the Indian side of the story as well as the white mans side.

I first tried the sample read and was soon caught up! A good read plus historical facts and once again, I am trying to understand the depth of man's inhumanity to man. This book will always haunt my thoughts on this issue.

I love Texas history. This was chocked full of our early history. It did not simply dwell on the author's family history. It encompassed the stories of Texas families, communities, and government. His research is strong. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in our early Texas history and struggles.

I love reading books about Texas history and this was by far my favorite of all of them. I gained a lot of insight about the differences between the cultures of the Native Americans and the early Texas settlers. The author treats everyone empathetically yet realistically. This is a memorable book that should be read and enjoyed by everyone regardless of their heritage. I highly recommend it.

A riveting true accounting of the Texas Hill Country children who were abducted by American Indians. Their stories are amazing, and the outcomes of many are tragic. Now that I've finished, I can't wait to read it again!

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The reader feels like he is on the journey, alongside the author, to discover the truth surrounding the life of his ancestor. Great job by the author. Best book I've read in some time.

I really enjoyed this book. The author didn't just focus on the one abduction, but included information on many Indian abductions in the area and gave a lot of detail on the lives of the people involved and how things were resolved in the end. Very interesting stories.

This was an interesting read about white captives of Comanches and Apaches in the Texas frontier 1870-1900. The writing style could have been better. Empire of the Summer Moon was, in my opinion, much better.

This was an interesting read about white captives of Comanches and Apaches in the Texas frontier 1870-1900. The writing style could have been better. Empire of the Summer Moon was, in my opinion, much better.

Well written book. It talks of many places that we drive by everyday. It causes history to come to daily life and also stirs the in appropriate relationship that separated two cultures. Very real but tragic.

Enjoyed hearing about this author's relative and the other people captured by the Comanches and later brought back to white civilization. I'm familiar with the Hill Country of Texas and intend to visit Mason and surrounding area.

An excellent account and study of several Indian captives stolen in Texas frontier times, by a family relation of a captive. Gives a vivid rendering of the intense danger of frontier life in central Texas during the mid nineteenth century period. A must read for Texas historians who are interested in the perspective of those who lived with both the Indians and the whites. The detailed accounts give deep reasons and an understanding for the Indian wars that wracked Texas until 1874.

WELL WRITTEN CHRONICALS THE LIFE OF TEXAS SETTLERS AND INDIAN CAPTIVES ITG IS A VERY GOOD FOLLOW UP TO "EMPIRE OF THE SUMMER MOON" BY SC GUYNNE WHICH CHRONICALS THE SETTLEMENT OF WEST TEXAS AND THE COMMANCHE INDIANS

After reading, Empire of the Summer Moon, I wanted to read more about people who were abducted by the Indians on the Texas frontier.

The Comanche and the Apache tribes suffered a decreasing birth rate, and saw abductions as a way to repopulate their tribes. The Indians mostly wanted young children around 8-14 years of age who would more easily assimialte into the tribe.

Almost in every case, the young white children that were abducted came to embrace the Comanche and Apache way of life. Most of the abducted children were of German descent and didnot receive the attention and personal love that the Indians gave. Also, the way of life appealed to most of the children in that in the German settlements there was constant chores for the children to engage in, while in the Indian tribe, there was much more leisure time and the boys learned to hunt and engage in raids

Col. Ranald Mackenzie captured many Comanche tribe members in the Battle of McClellan Creek. This forced the Comanches to give up their white captives.

Most of the captives had a hard time adjusting to living in civilization again. Rudolph Fischer went back to live with the Comanches, even though they had settled down to live as the whitemen, and he became a successful farmer, largely because he was accepted back into the tribe and the former captives that lived in the white society didnot.

A very good read!