Book Review..History..."Blood and Thunder" by Hampton Sides

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                 Blood and Thunder Review

This story is not only about the Kit Carson. It is about his time in history. Kit lived during the "manifest destiny" era. Latter day historians have made him the bad guy for their politically correct version of history.

According to the p.c.police, Kit Carson is the epitome of the evil white guy running over the "rights" of the noble savage. From the last of the great fur trade days to the civil war era, Carson was at the center of the action in the old west. He didn't plan it. Men of power, the field commanders sent west, needed a reliable man who knew the country and could get things done. Kit Carson was always the first name recommended. 

Carson in uniform

He, like George Drouillard before him, was the go to guy. It didn't matter where you needed to go or what obstacles you faced, there were frontiersmen like Carson and Drouillard who could take you there. Carson came along thirty years or more after Drouillard's murder but they might as well have been twins. Responsibility fit Carson and Drouillard like yesterday's moccasins. 

From visits with his great grandson to talks with present day Navajo's you get a wide array of opinions concerning Kit Carson. 

Kit Carson

You will not find a more accurate description of the period than from Hampton Sides. As Carson had a predecessor so did Sides. Fellow Memphian, Shelby Foote, helped Hampton ( and many others) learn the ways of the proper narrative. Sides, like Foote, tells the story from all perspectives. Sides pushes history neither left nor right. That is exactly what I ask of historians or journalists. A rare find in todays world.


He told the story correctly and he told it well. Better yet, Sides tells each perspective in such a manner he ensures the impartiality of his work. I consider Hampton Sides a true historian.

Hampton Sides in Memphis

In addition to his accuracy, Hampton Sides is a hell of a writer. He gets your attention and doesn't let you go. If you've ever had the slightest interest in the exploration, the "indian wars", the politics or the early settling of the American West, here it is all wrapped up in one neat package. This is more about the dynamics of Manifest Destiny and it's geopolitical consequences than one man's story. During Carson's service to the United States the country grew from an east of the Mississippi provincial to the massive sea to shining sea land of today. As Polk and Fremont led politically, Carson was out front as the guide.

Hampton Sides

This man Carson was a slightly built five foot four. But tough as a boot. He went through amazing physical tests. Today's professional athletes wouldn't be able to handle his daily life The guy was tougher than a nickel steak with a "yes sir, can do" attitude.


I have listed links to book reviews and great information sources. I would encourage you to read this book. You will not have a true picture of the development of these United States until you do.


New York Times Review      


Kit Carson background




     Hampton Sides background info






PBS Historical video series info

Shelby Foote, a great historian, a great writer, RIP

I loved the book. I respect Kit Carson. I told his great grandson, John Carson of Bent's Fort, how much I was in awe of the old fellow. I respect the Navajo even more than I did before the book. That isn't just a throw away statement. I have studied Navajo culture for years. I've spent a good deal of time on the "Big Rez". Sides taught me a good deal about the area's early Spanish. I once lived and still have friends among their descendants. I looked into all three stories long before learning of this book. Sides got it right. Not only did he understand the three viewpoints he told them accurately and well. He is a great writer but maybe an even better researcher and historian.


I have decided Hampton Sides is our present day Shelby Foote and should give us books on many other phases of American history. I would love to see him find a Ken Burns film maker partner so an accurate view of history could find it's way into our national consciousness.


I am not knocking Dayton Duncan or Ken Burns. I want them to keep doing what they are doing. I just want more good history oriented films, like theirs, in the market place. People who will not read books will watch movies. The movies will help them understand their place in history. Without that grounding we cannot expect our populace to make prudent decisions. Authors, books, producers, directors, screenwriters have to take the place of our abdicated educational system. If not this Republic can't survive.


Note: Why include Shelby Foote's picture in this article. Because I too was influenced by Shelby when he was our writer in residence at Memphis State's journalism school. He was a nice guy as well as a great writer and historian. It was my tribute that's all.




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