The Last Comanche Chief : The Life and Times of Quanah Parker

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Summary: Fascinating study of a Comanche legend and his culture
Review: Bill Neeley gives new life to the legend of Quanah Parker, Numu Paraiboo. More than just a biography, this book gives valuable insights into the culture and lifestyle of the Numunuu people and the training of the "Lords of the Plains", the best mounted cavalry in the world. Highly recommend for its accuracy and truth. Five stars

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Summary: Quanah Parker, American Hero
Review: Bill Neeley is to be commended for a fine and well documented historical work which reads as good as a Larry McMurtry novel. No finer cast of characters could be invented than those very real people who populated Quanah Parker's world of the Texas Panhandle at the end of the 19th century. Definitely a book for those who prefer there history as it really happened. Not glossed over or compared only to the way it fits into someone's idea of what constitutes the historical "big picture". Must reading for those interested in the history of the plains Indians and real life cowboys, frontiers-folk and Texas lore. Sired by the great Commanche war chief Nocona on Cynthia Ann Parker, a young Texan captive taken in a raid on her father's ranch, Quanah Parker was the last and probably the finest example of a Commanche warrior. Although they never numbered more than 3,000 to 5,000 warriors, the Commanche stood astride the southern gateway to the west and single handedly stopped the southwestern expansion of America for 100 years. The reason Lewis and Clark were sent north to find a route to the west coast around them. So hated by the Texans that the Texas Rangers were created with the sole purpose of annihilating them. The Commanches preyed on Texan settlers along the frontier for both livelihood and sport. Quanah Parker was the last man standing. The last of the plains Indians to surrender to the US Cavalry. Never defeated in battle. Quanah led a tired band of warriors to Ft. Sill Oklahoma, gave up the fight and became a legend in his own time. Neely tells the story well, no unnecessary sentiment, no moral judgement. Just a man and his times as recounted by him in old age, his friends, his enemies and the newspapers of the day. Great fodder for a movie, the life of Quanah Parker. A genuine American hero, although I am not sure he would consider that a complement.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for everyone
Review: Bill Neeley's Book- The Last Comanche Chief, The Life and Times of Quanah Parker is the most comprehensive account of the greatest Comanche chief ever to roam the plains. His book chronicles Quanah's entire life, beggining with the capture of his white mother at Parker's fort. This book details Quanah's storied war accomplishments, and also of his acclaimed rise to favor in the white man's world. Quanah befriended the nation's most powerful men, and his people benefitted from his amazing influence with the white man. It includes a section of rare photos that are just as marvelous as the rest of the book. If you have a passion for books about Native Americans, or just like to read about great leaders, Bill Neeley's book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Balanced and Accurate
Review: Neeley's saga depicts the life of the man who led the last free Comanche tribe from the Texas plains into the modern world. In one lifetime Quanah successfully bridged centuries and cultures. A chasm so vast that Quanah is the only native American Chief that truly made the transition. Son of a captive girl, Cynthia Ann Parker, and son of a Chief, Peta Nocona, Quanah is a man who is truly unique in every way. Neeley's account of this man is fantastic.

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Summary: I am pleased that Indians AND non-Indians respect my book.
Review: Truth is often elusive, but I did my best to discover what really happened on the Southwestern frontier between Truth is often elusive, but I did my best to find out what really happened on the Southwestern frontier in the bloody battle for possession of the land. I hope that my readers will see that I have tried to be honest. With the passage of time, we cannot judgewhat people did a hundred years ago on the basis of our current values. All we can do is find out what poeople did, why they did it,. and what the conmsequences were. And, hopefully, we will not make the same mistakes. I hope my readers enjoy "history with the hide on."