Mr. Sides is an eloquent writer and shared an exceptional story. His vocabulary and writing skills are remarkable.

In my quest to better understand the history of the Southwest and of New Mexico, in particular, and the Indian Wars, this book was enlightening, not so much because it was about Kit Carson, but because of the "rest of the story," and the author's vivid descriptions and story-telling skills. ( )

231038607 ( )

Great info on Navajo indians, Kit Carson and New Mexico. I don't like to notice the trouble the author had putting a book together while I am reading it. ( )

Fantastic read for anyone interested in American history. ( )

Kit Carson represents an old-fashioned ideal of the Wild West mountain man who helped to settle the United States during the heyday of Western expansion. In Blood and Thunder, author Hampton Sides tries to bring some modern sensibilities to the story as he writes alternating histories of Carson and the Navajo tribe that Carson ultimately helps to defeat. Sides uses a lot of primary sources to try and paint Carson and the Navajo in an honest light, but the book stays clearly in the pro-Carson lane while exploring the atrocities endured by the Native American tribes. A little bit long and redundant at times, Blood and Thunder was still a fascinating and deep dive into Carson and the history of the West. ( )