Blood And Thunder: An Epic of the American West

(Paperback)

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Now in B format.

A chronicle of one of the most pivotal eras in American history by the author of the international bestseller GHOST SOLDIERS

Hampton Sides's extraordinary book brings the history of the American conquest of the West to ringing life. It is a tale with many heroes and villains, but at the centre of it all stands the remarkable figure of Kit Carson - the legendary trapper, scout and soldier. Carson was an illiterate mountain man who twice married Indian women and understood the tribes better than any other American alive; yet he was also a cold-blooded killer and an unquestioning patriot who willingly followed orders tantamount to massacre. BLOOD AND THUNDER is a chronicle of one of a pivotal era in American history: grand in scope, immediate in detail, impeccably researched and historically revelatory.

'Hampton Sides' outstanding narrative history has all the virtues: stirring set pieces, deft character studies, colourful descriptions of battles and of nature ... a riveting tale where, for once, the word 'epic' is not hyperbole' Frank McLynn, Independent on Sunday

Reviews

'Absorbing and well written ... Anyone who has read Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian or grew up on John Ford westerns will be enlightened. Those yet to read that novel or see the movies will find that this book adds deep resonances to their pleasure' Michael Moorcock Guardian (10/3/07) 'Hampton Sides' outstanding narrative history has all the virtues: stirring set pieces, deft character studies, colourful descriptions of battles and of nature... a riveting tale where, for once, the word "epic" is not hyperbole' Frank McLynn, Independent on Sunday 'A familiar story [told] with compelling narrative zest' Robert McCrum, Observer 'Sides eloquently paints the landscape and history of the 19th century Southwest, combinIng Larry McMurtry's lyricism with the historian's attachments to facts' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'The type of sweeping history that was written by the likes of Bernard DeVoto and David Lavender ... [but] he populates his story not just with white Americans but also with diverse Indian peoples and Mexicans. And he does so with balance and sensitivity ... As you read it you can see it as an epic movie' TLS 'Sides' aptly named Blood and Thunder is a stunning history ... brilliantly written' HISTORICAL NEWS REVIEW

Author Bio

Hampton Sides is a newspaper correspondent and columnist. He is the author of the international bestseller GHOST SOLDIERS. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, New Republic and the Washington Post, among others. He lives in Santa Fe.

Author Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

GHOST SOLDIERS (0 349 11788 8)