Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I am Cynthia Kay Rhodes author of "Between Two Worlds:The Legend Of Quanah Parker" and up coming children's book, "Lucille Mulhall: An Athlete Of Her Time." I chose to write this review because I must confess, without the aid of Bill Neeley's research and authorship of "The Last Comanche Chief:The Life and Times Of Quanah Parker," my first book would not have possibly been written. I loved the story of Quanah Parker, because of the changes he saw in his life time and his ability to change not only for himself but for his Comanche people. Quanah Parker changed but he also mangaged to keep his Comanche hertiage. When I choose a person to write about, I choose them because their life truely interests me. To me if the author is interested in his/her subject he or she is likely to keep the interest of his or her readers. Bill Neeley certianly showed his interest in his subject and made Quanah Parker's life real. The book is wonderful and factual as possible. Bill Neeley doesn't need my stamp of approval, but I just thought I would give my two cents worth. "The Last Comanche Chief: The Life and Times Of Quanah Parker" deserves the high ranking its readers has given it! sincerely Cynthia Kay Rhodes
[...]

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

Comanches are correctly regarded as the most hostile and warlike of the tribes of the Great Plains. "Comancharia," the vast territory that covers all or parts of the following states: Texas; Oklahoma; New Mexico; Colorado; Kansas; and parts of Mexico was the ancestral homeland of the Comanches. "Comanche" means "the people." In the 19th century, the Comanche allied with the Kiowa in one of the last and most successful Indian alliances.

In "The Last Comanche Chief: The Life and Times of Quanah Parker," author Bill Neeley brings to life this last era of the Comanche as a warrior nomad people of the Great Plains. Following the American Civil War, Quanah Parker, son of a Comanche Chief and a captured white girl rose to become a great warrior chief. In those years following the Civil War, Civil War veterans, particularly Confederate veterans came into Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas searching for one thing, land. Initially cattlemen and later farmers, the numbers of white settlers were so huge that the era of the free-roaming, nomadic warriors of the Great Plains was drawing to a close.

Neeley brings this era to life in a well-written and evenly-balanced narrative. Famed Texas Ranger and later Texas Governor, Sul Ross, lawman Bat Masterson, cattle-baron Charles Goodnight and in the final years, President Teddy Roosevelt were some of the people who either fought or befriended (or both) Quanah Parker.

Quanah Parker exhibited the best qualities of a Comanche warrior and a Comanche Chief. He bridged the last era of the free-range Plains Indian, a nomadic culture that had endured for millenia up until its demise in the 1870's. Making the difficult decision to settle on a reservation, he consistently sought the best for his people in an era of extreme prejudice and intolerance for Indian peoples and half-breeds. He had the intelligence and insight to realize that the clock could not be turned back. The land was getting settled and fenced, the great herds of buffalo were gone and there would be no vision quest, or "good medicine" to return to the ways of the ancestors.

This is a great tale, well-told. A couple of reviewers gave this book bad marks; it is impossible to understand why.

Neeley provides a great bibliography. There are many quotes Neeley carefully selected from prior works that allow the reader to read exactly what Indians, soldiers and settlers of that era had to say about the last pitched battles on the high plains.

Five stars!

This wonderful book tells of the life of Quanah Parker, one of the last chiefs to surrender to the military. It also is very informative of the whole of north Texas and Oklahoma (Indian Territory) during the difficult time of settleing the area. Quanah grows from a half breed Indian boy to become one of the greatest chiefs to fight against the white man. It shows the ingenuity that he used in transforming from a warrior to living, thriving and leading his people to live in a white man's world.

Good, well put together book about Quanah Parker.
If you like native American history, this is one book you should defiantly have for your personal library.

This book is of particular interest for me due to the fact I lived just a few miles from the site of a large battle between Quanah's Comanches and the US Cavalry. He was a very unique man who was an effective and courageous leader. Great read.
The book was in new condition and purchased for a very good price. I continue to recommend Amazon's site to my friends who are avid readers.

As a student of history, I absolutely loved this book - couldn't put it down! It gives details about the area formerly known as "Comancheria" and the people who lived, loved, and fought to claim it. I could actually visualize the events as they were described. If you live in Texas or Oklahoma, you ought to read this book! You might find yourself scheduling a drive through some of the areas, noticing river and creek names and trying to imagine yourself as someone living back then. I hear there might be a movie coming out... keep your eyes peeled!