Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West

by Hampton Sides

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Book Overview: Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West

NATIONAL BESTSELLER – From the author of Ghost Soldiers comes an eye-opening history of the American conquest of the West–“a story full of authority and color, truth and prophecy” (The New York Times Book Review).

In the summer of 1846, the Army of the West marched through Santa Fe, en route to invade and occupy the Western territories claimed by Mexico. Fueled by the new ideology of “Manifest Destiny,” this land grab would lead to a decades-long battle between the United States and the Navajos, the fiercely resistant rulers of a huge swath of mountainous desert wilderness.

At the center of this sweeping tale is Kit Carson, the trapper, scout, and soldier whose adventures made him a legend. Sides shows us how this illiterate mountain man understood and respected the Western tribes better than any other American, yet willingly followed orders that would ultimately devastate the Navajo nation. Rich in detail and spanning more than three decades, this is an essential addition to our understanding of how the West was really won.

ISBN-13	9781400031108
ISBN-10	1400031109
Publisher	Anchor
Publication Date	2007-10-09
Edition	Reprint
Language	en
Pages	624
Dimensions	in x in x in
Weight	lbs

Editorial Reviews

“Riveting . . . monumental . .. . Not only does Blood and Thunder capture a pivotal moment in U.S. history in marvelous detail, it is also authoritative and masterfully told.”
— The Washington Post Book World

“Stunning. . . Both haunting and lyrical, Blood and Thunder is truly a masterpiece.”
— Los Angeles Times

“We see a panorama and a whole history, intricately laced with wonder and meaning, coalesce into a story of epic proportions, a story full of authority and color, truth and prophecy . . . Sides fills a conspicuous void in the history of the American West.”
–N. Scott Momaday, The New York Times Book Review

“From the lean crisp descriptions of the characters to the sights, sounds and smells of the trail, this is a crystal clear picture of the West.” — San Antonio Express News

About the Author

Hampton Sides

Hampton Sides is a renowned American historian and author, best known for his compelling exploration of historical events in nonfiction literature. Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1962, Sides graduated from Yale University and later honed his storytelling skills as a journalist for reputable publications like The New Yorker, National Geographic, and Esquire. His ability to vividly chronicle the past in a format that both educates and engages his readers has established him as a heavyweight in the realm of historical nonfiction.

Sides’ notable works include “Ghost Soldiers”, “Blood and Thunder”, “In the Kingdom of Ice”, and “On Desperate Ground”. These captivating narratives often revolve around key events and symbolic figures in American history, rendering historical events with the drama and flair often reserved for works of fiction. “Ghost Soldiers”, a World War II story, notably won the PEN USA Award for nonfiction in 2002.

Beyond simply being an author, Hampton Sides is an editor-at-large for Outside magazine and a frequent lecturer on history, writing and the outdoors. He has also contributed his expertise to various television productions as a historical consultant. Sides’ passion and commitment to his craft have added richness to the broader conversation about American history, clearly asserting his legacy as an author who is not just read, but widely respected and admired.