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Boondocker · 10-20-2007, 04:03 PM

I am always on the look out for books that will learn me a thing or two and if possible inform my wandering to and fro. I also like to share these tomes with others when I can. In May, I suggested “Annals of the Former World” a seminal collection of writings about geology in this thread.

This time I am recommending a fascinating history of the south west: “Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West” by Hampton Sides. (Hampton Sides is also the author of an excellent book, "Ghost Soldiers", about the rescue of POWs at the end of WWII held in the Philippines. Good reading, but you are unlike to take your Airsteam there).

There are plenty of good reviews of this book available so I will hit the points that struck me most. First of all, I lived in New Mexico for a couple of years in the 80’s. I visited many of the sites discussed in the book, but never had a sense of the thread of connectedness that this narrative provides. Although I consider myself an informed traveler and no stranger to the four corners, I know my next journey there will be richer for having read this book. Already next summers travel plans have been shaped because of the stories Hampton Sides tells, and at the top of the list is Canyon de Chelly. I will resist the urge to go on about this book, however, if you are a history buff, interested in the four corners region, or just enjoy a well told yarn every now and then, I think you will find this book rewarding.

janetb · 10-20-2007, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the recommended reads, Rodney. You should start an A/S bookclub thread!

love vintage · 10-21-2007, 05:53 PM

Passionate love of books. I'm addicted. Start a thread!

craftsman · 10-21-2007, 06:17 PM

I'm ordering Blood and Thunder tonight from Amamzon. I just finished "Age of the Gunfighter"

maxandgeorgia · 10-21-2007, 06:51 PM

It might be worth while to search our archives for book review threads (I know that in the past people have discussed favorite reads that compliment their Airstream travels), combine them with this, and have a thread that is a central source of recommended reading for the different areas of travel and leisure interests of our members. I suspect that lots of us are on-the-road as well as at-home readers and love to get suggestions from kindred spirits. ~G

**Stefrobrts** · 10-21-2007, 07:16 PM

I love having books recommended! At the last rally I considered bringing a box of books I had finished with to share with the other rallyers. If a bunch of rallyers did this, then we could all swap them around, and bring them back to the next rally to swap around, we'd never run out of reading material!