Comanche Dawn: A Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

Mike Blakely (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1999

In Comanche Dawn Mike Blakely does for the Comanche nation what Ruth Bebe Hills did for the Sioux in Hanta Yo. This landmark novel is the first time the story has been told from the point of view of the Comanches themselves. We witness the rise of one of the most powerful mounted nations in history through the eyes of a young warrior named Horseback.

Born on the very day that the first horse comes to his people, Horseback matures into a leader of unquestionable courage and vision. He assumes powerful medicine granted to him by spirits encountered on a grueling vision quest, and he takes Teal, the most beautiful young woman of his tribe, as his wife and lifelong love. Guided by forces more powerful and dangerous then even he can control or explain, Horseback will face death time and time again with only his medicine and Teal to stand beside him.

Failure will mean destruction not only for himself, but for his people. Success will mean unimaginable wealth for his new nation. Ancient enemies will seek to destroy him. Strange newcomers with pale skin and treacherous ways will attempt to enslave him. Even his own inner spirit powers threaten always to consume him, should he fail to respect them. Only the bravest of True Humans dare to follow Horseback on his great adventure down a trail that can lead only to glory or annihilation.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Blakely (Too Long at the Dance) turns, in this vastly researched new western, to a pivotal time in Native American history, when the advent of the horse completely transformed the life of the Comanche people in the space of one generation. When Born-on-the-Day-of-the-Shadow-Dog (named for the appearance of the strange creature that wandered through his village) entered the world in 1687, the Comanche were still part of the Shoshone people. Shadow is imbued with the spirit of the mysteriously beautiful animal that came with the "Metal Men" (the Europeans); he becomes the best rider among his people, earning a new name, Horseback. Masters of the horse, the Comanche separate from the Shoshone, migrating South from Wyoming in pursuit of the buffalo, and a new tribe is born (the "dawn" of the title). Blakely tells the story from the point of view of his Native American protagonists, depicting fierce intra- and intertribal conflict as the natives struggle to accommodate the presence of Spanish and French foreigners and missionaries in a land that was once theirs. The book reads briskly despite its length and is leavened with much Comanche lore; a glossary of Comanche/Shoshone words is included.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Not only a heartfelt expression of the author's love of horses, this fine novel also offers a detailed study of life among those Blakely considers to have been the greatest horsemen of all time. The tale begins with the birth of a boy, first called Shadow and later known as Horseback, on the day the first horse is seen and eaten in the Shoshone encampment of the half-starved Burnt Meat People. It then takes us on the boy's journey into manhood as he becomes a trusted leader and fierce warrior, and his people, the True Humans, made mobile by their mounts, evolve into the Comanche Nation and the most feared fighters on the southern plains. Painstakingly researched and carefully written, the novel is an obvious labor of love that merits comparison with such established classics as Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Little Big Man, and Hanta Yo. Although it is fiction, Comanche Dawn should be required reading for anyone wishing to know about life among the early Plains Indians. Budd Arthur --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (May 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812548337
• ISBN-13: 978-0812548334
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mike Blakely could succeed in any world, August 19, 2001

By 

James Drury - See all my reviews

This review is from: Comanche Dawn: A Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

Howdy folks, I'm James Drury. I used to play the Virginian on NBC television, and most recently I've taken to reading books on audio. I had to chuckle with surprise when I read the review below by Dan Huff, who compares Blakely's writing to Kirby Jonas'. I know both of these men, and both are great writers, although their work is highly varied from each other. In this book, Comanche Dawn, Blakely does write differently than some of his books I've seen in the past. It's more of a literary novel, and a good one in its own realm. Blakely plays a mean guitar and has one of the best singing voices in America, in my opinion, so his talent should take him far. Read this book to see what it was like for the Comanches and their best friend, the horse. It is a deeper book than Blakely's earlier stuff, but just as enjoyable. And if you want to compare him to Kirby Jonas yourself I would suggest you try out Jonas' Legend of the Tumbleweed, also available on Amazon.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spanish Horse! Alive in History ., March 4, 2000

By 

George Schaefer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Comanche Dawn: A Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

If you love Horses, you've got to read "Comanche Dawn"! MIke Blakely has done a tremendous job researching and developing and "causing to come to life" Comanche History. I normaly don't care for western novels. However, as a horselover, Blakely had me totally mesmarized. First, because he has accurately portrayed the appearance of the Spanish Horse in America. Second, because he masterfully developed and integrated history and characters so well that I just couldn't put the book down. Finally, as a natural horseman he has me wanting to ride like the Comanche, with war bridle, Comanche loops, et al. I can hardly wait for his sequel to see how the Comanche and the Spanish Horse continue to write early American History!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great read for native american buffs, June 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] Rex Fields (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Comanche Dawn: A Novel (Hardcover)

I just finished this book and think it is one of the best. This is a good insight into the evolution of the Indian from ground fighter to mounted light cavalry. Mr. Blakely obviously did some thorough research into how the Comanche came to be feared and respected as horse warriors. It is written in a style that garners your attention early in the book and keeps you interested to the end. This book is written from the Comanche's point of view which is the antilog of most western works. This side of the story needs more exposure and I for one, am glad that Mr. Blakely wrote this book. Read it and you will enjoy the story while being introduced to an untold facet of history. Rex Fields