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279th out of 3,146 books
—
13,781 voters
Ride the Wind
In 1836, when she was nine years old, Cynthia Ann Parker was kidnapped by Comanche Indians. This is the story of how she grew up with them, mastered their ways, married one of their leaders, and became, in every way, a Comanche woman. It is also the story of a proud and innocent people whose lives pulsed with the very heartbeat of the land. It is the story of a way of life...more
Paperback, 589 pages
Published
November 12th 1985
by Ballantine Books
(first published 1982)
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This book was recommended by a good friend of mine, and she hasn't steered me wrong yet. This book will break your heart. First it will make you sick, then make you mad, then you will fall in love...then you will repeatedly feel like you've been run over by tanks. For the past three days, I have been hard put to set this down, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
It was kinda surreal reading it, because the story of Quanah Parker is pretty well known to me, I learned about him in v...more
It was kinda surreal reading it, because the story of Quanah Parker is pretty well known to me, I learned about him in v...more
9 likes · like · see review
This book, "Ride the Wind", by Lucia St. Clair Robson, is a beautifully written historic fiction set back in 1836, when the tension between Native Americans and the Texans approximately began. Cynthia Ann Parker was taken kidnapped from her home by a group of Native Americans when she was only nine years old. She was taken back to a Comanche tribe, along with a few others, and developed a life. Cynthia, later known as Naduah ("Keeps Warm With Us"), learned the ways of the People quickly, and bec...more
1 like · like · see review
A CAPTIVATING, HAUNTING GLIMPSE INTO TEXAS HISTORY
Many of the paperback covers make this book look like a cheesy western romance novel. Do not be fooled! Ride the Wind is based on the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped in 1836 during a brutal raid by the Comanche Indians, then adopted and raised by the tribe. I was stunned by my change in perspective – at the beginning, I was horrified by the savagery of the Indians; by the end, I was furious with the savagery and ignorance of t...more
Many of the paperback covers make this book look like a cheesy western romance novel. Do not be fooled! Ride the Wind is based on the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped in 1836 during a brutal raid by the Comanche Indians, then adopted and raised by the tribe. I was stunned by my change in perspective – at the beginning, I was horrified by the savagery of the Indians; by the end, I was furious with the savagery and ignorance of t...more
This is a fictional account of the true story of nine year old Cynthia Ann Parker. Stolen as a child by the Comanche, she was adopted by a native family and raised as Comanche. Her story is the basis for the John Ford classic western, 'The Searchers'. In Ford's version, she is found and is grateful to be returned to her birth family. In real life she was the wife of a warrior and mother of three when she and her daugher were 'rescued' twenty five years after her abduction. This novel tells the s...more
If you are looking for a book about what it would be like to live with Indians, this is the book. It is based on the true story of a 9 year old white girl that was captured by Indians. The story line is definitely fictional though, as there is no written account from Cynthia Anne, the white girl, only that information from her white relatives and her oldest son, Quanah, the last free Indian Chief. She was raised by a Comanche Indian family and married an Indian chief and had three children with...more
Okay, so the things I liked about this book outweigh the things I didn't...I think. Thats why I gave it 4 stars. That and I'm patting myself on the back for finishing. I really enjoyed that this book was set in Texas, much of it where I'm from in the Panhandle. Loved thinking about what this area looked like not even 2 centuries ago. Cynthia Ann Parker, or Naduah, is absolutely facinating. I can totally understand why her life and death caused such a stir, even to this day. The whole White Man/I...more
One of my personal all-time favorites. Do not be put off by the rotten cover. This isn't a trashy sex romance. It is actually a true story - the major incidents did happen. You'll become deeply attached to the characters and be heartbroken, in more ways than one, when it ends.
I have spoken.
I have spoken.
3 likes · like · see review
This was one of my books from my high school days in the 1990's. I read it several times. I was very into historical fiction/non-fiction. It was amazing how much life St. Clair Robson breathed into a real story. A must read for any Native American History fan!!
The cheesy cover had me very skeptical about this book, but I think this is a book that is going to stay with me for years and years. Yes, there is better writing, but man oh man, what a story! I learned about Native Americans, the Texas Rangers, and Westward Expansion, in a way that I never learned in school. Learned about daily life, motivations, and how the Indians and settlers impacted each other. The book doesn't whitewash Indian attrocities, you do not get a trite, "at-one-with-nature" vie...more
This is the historical story of a nine year old white girl taken captive by the Comanches during the 1836 raid on Parker's Fort, Texas. Naduah (Cynthia Ann Parker) lived with the Comanche for 24 years, marrying Comanche Chief Nocona, and giving him three children. Her first son was Quanah Parker, the last Chief of the Comanches. Quanah never lost a battle to the white man. In 1860, Cynthia, along with her daughter, was returned to her white family. She attempted many escapes and pined to be with...more
A great historical fiction novel that is based on the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker, a tragic young girl kidnapped from her father's compound on the Texas frontier in the 1830's. It is well written and the characters are so real, I felt like I could reach out and touch them. This story is not for the squeamish as it is based on brutal and accurate accounts of both Commanche and White American's attacks against one another.
I reread it every few years. Reading this novel led me on a year long d...more
I reread it every few years. Reading this novel led me on a year long d...more
The historical fiction account of Cynthia Ann Parker, the little 9 year old kidnapped in Texas (circa 18something) by the Comanches, who lives with them and marries one of their chiefs.
First, I really, really, really could have done without the first 3 chapters. What the Comanches did to the Parkers (and the other settlers) is stomach churning. Please - if you decide to read this book (and you should, because it is very good), let me summarize chapters one through three so you can sleep at nigh...more
First, I really, really, really could have done without the first 3 chapters. What the Comanches did to the Parkers (and the other settlers) is stomach churning. Please - if you decide to read this book (and you should, because it is very good), let me summarize chapters one through three so you can sleep at nigh...more
This was a wonderful book, I have read it several times and it has wonderful history in it and gives the reader a look into what it was like for the indians and white men when the country was young. How a white girl grew up as a commanche and fell in love with a brave that became a great leader and never quit loving him even when she was captured and taken back to her white family. It will make you cry and make you angry all at the same time for the cruelty and hardship that they suffer. I reall...more
This is one of my favorite books. The beginning is not for the faint of heart as there are some disturbing events surrounding the raid on the settlers' camp when Cynthia was first captured. However, if you can get past that, this book gives a fascinating story of what her experience might have been like. You really feel connected with the Comanche community she was raised in, and maybe scratch the surface in understanding some of the difficult situations they found themselves needing to face. Th...more
This was the book that really got me into Native American History, and though my daughter is half Navajo, and my boyfriend is Pueblo, Comanche history is my favorite because as a tribe, they started out as the lowest of the low, but once they got their hands on the horses, they became a force to be reckoned with. It was this very book that got me started on doing my homework in regards to the Comanche Nation. Another great book to read is "Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise an...more
This author I find totally incredible. Her stories are so good! Cynthia Ann Parker was a real person who did get taken by the Native Americans for real. This author does do her homework and when I read her books I get a history lesson as she researches quite well and her facts are close if not spot on. When I read her books she takes me right inside the story and I can picture in all in my mind and it practically comes alive. For me that is asign of an excellent author. I love this subject so i...more
I read this in middle school years ago. I loved it so much that I read it again the following year. This book has stuck in my mind ever since. It is a well written historical event. I loved all the details, it just brings more to your ongoing visual. I found it fascinating, horrifying and terribly sad. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to learn more about the Native American culture. It will take you several days to finish but it is so worth it! I plan on reading it again in the...more
I love reading about the Native Americans. I'm so intrigued by their culture and their way of thinking. This book is about the Comanches (the most savage tribe I've ever read about!) who kidnap a young white girl and keep her as one of their own. She's treated like family and then later on marries an Indian chief. After living with the Comanches for 25 (+/-) years she is "rescued" by the white people and everything she loved was taken from her: her husband/Indian Chief, her children (one of whic...more
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker, a 9-year-old girl kidnapped by the Commanche and raised to be one of them. I first read this when I was 14-years-old and I cried a lot. If you read this and you don't cry, you must not have a heart or any sympathy at all for what the Native Americans suffered at the hands of "good Christian people."
Cynthia and her brother Jonathan are taken along with some other people at the fort in Texas and after a while, both beg...more
This is the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker, a 9-year-old girl kidnapped by the Commanche and raised to be one of them. I first read this when I was 14-years-old and I cried a lot. If you read this and you don't cry, you must not have a heart or any sympathy at all for what the Native Americans suffered at the hands of "good Christian people."
Cynthia and her brother Jonathan are taken along with some other people at the fort in Texas and after a while, both beg...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I was a little leery about reading this book. Despite having won some major awards in its day and having very high ratings here on goodreads and on amazon, and despite its subject matter being exactly the kind of reading material that I generally devour wholeheartedly, I was still reluctant because of a couple of things. First, the book is promoted as being the true love story of the kidnapped white girl, Cynthia Ann Parker, and her Comanche husband, Nocona. I just don't do love stories, they al...more
My word ... what a story! What a book! What an author! Kudos to Lucia St. Clair Robson! What a gifted author she is! And it's books like this that make me love reading so much!
I've read many books ~ first-hand accounts, biographies and historical fiction ~ recounting the true stories of whites taken captive by Native Americans. This, so far, is my favorite along with "Follow the River" (a truly incredible story of will-power and survival against nearly impossible odds). I think that both of the...more
I've read many books ~ first-hand accounts, biographies and historical fiction ~ recounting the true stories of whites taken captive by Native Americans. This, so far, is my favorite along with "Follow the River" (a truly incredible story of will-power and survival against nearly impossible odds). I think that both of the...more
I'm a little torn on this book between 3 and 4 stars. Part of me LOVED it. I'm a fan of historical fiction and this story about the last few decades of the "free" Comanches is something I was unfamiliar with. The plot was quite fascinating and I liked the Wanderer/Nadua love story.
On the other hand, the first half of the book was markedly better than the second half. The second half was full of cliches,e.g., "We're in love and our two awesome horses had TWINS that look just like their parents"....more
On the other hand, the first half of the book was markedly better than the second half. The second half was full of cliches,e.g., "We're in love and our two awesome horses had TWINS that look just like their parents"....more
I still can't decide if I actually like this book. On one hand, it was completely captivating. The conflict between settlers and Indians, the differences in standards of living, travel, family life and honor as well as the inevitable similarities. On the other, I was repulsed by the description of horror and violence, which I felt, at times, bent towards gratuitous. Back to the first hand, I learned so much about the Comanche Indians, their history and motives, and was impressed at the author's...more
Feb 23, 2011
Michelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes historical fiction
Recommended to Michelle by:
Jessie, Grandma
I never would have picked up this book if it hadn't come highly recommended by my sister. I would have been turned off both by the cheesy cover and by the subject matter. I never thought I was interested in Native American stories, but I was oh so wrong.
There is a lot of brutality in Ride the Wind -- members of the Comanche tribe raid white settlers in Texas and commit unimaginably vile acts. Cynthia Ann Parker is kidnapped at the age of 9. Fortunately for her, she was young enough to be adopted...more
There is a lot of brutality in Ride the Wind -- members of the Comanche tribe raid white settlers in Texas and commit unimaginably vile acts. Cynthia Ann Parker is kidnapped at the age of 9. Fortunately for her, she was young enough to be adopted...more
Oct 14, 2008
Kari Coleman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in historical fiction
Recommended to Kari by:
IRL Book Club
Title: Ride the Wind
Author: Lucia St. Clair Robson
Date Finished: October 4, 2008
Pages: 562
When I found out that this was the next book my IRL book club was going to be reading, I was needless to say, less than thrilled. I honestly cannot tell you the last time I read a book that dealt with American Indians or even that time period. I learned about Quanah Parker while I was in school, but never really knew anything about his family. So, I sucked it up, opened the book and started reading. The fir...more
Author: Lucia St. Clair Robson
Date Finished: October 4, 2008
Pages: 562
When I found out that this was the next book my IRL book club was going to be reading, I was needless to say, less than thrilled. I honestly cannot tell you the last time I read a book that dealt with American Indians or even that time period. I learned about Quanah Parker while I was in school, but never really knew anything about his family. So, I sucked it up, opened the book and started reading. The fir...more
This book is beautiful, uplifting, shocking, hopeful, desolate, almost any emotion possible to feel will be aroused. St. Clair Robson takes the kidnapping of a young plainsgirl, and tells the story that will live in your heart years after reading it. The white child who grows to marry a chief. Who bears the very last free Comanche chief in America. Is she still white?
She pulls no punches. She shows us the brutalities with which the Indians were treated, but on the other side of the coin, in the...more
She pulls no punches. She shows us the brutalities with which the Indians were treated, but on the other side of the coin, in the...more
Ride the Wind is not an easy read! Lucia St Clair Robson does know how to write a good story and she keeps us enthralled till the end in the story based on the true facts known of the life of Cynthia Ann Parker.
Cynthia Ann's story is unique because she was adopted by the tribe, raised by them, married one of the last great Comanche chief's and ended up feeling her rescue was another kidnapping of sorts that kept her away from the people she loved. It's an emotional journey to follow Cynthia Ann...more
Cynthia Ann's story is unique because she was adopted by the tribe, raised by them, married one of the last great Comanche chief's and ended up feeling her rescue was another kidnapping of sorts that kept her away from the people she loved. It's an emotional journey to follow Cynthia Ann...more
Dec 05, 2010
Gaile
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
native-american-romance
A very absorbing book, from the kidnapping of Cynthia Ann Parker by the Comanche to her return to the whites twenty years later, this is an imaginary tale of what happened to her during those years.
She is raised by the Comanche, marries a Comanche warrior and becomes the mother of Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanche to surrender.
The background of history threads throughout this story. The white demand for buffalo robes, the invention of the buffalo rifle and the leaving of dead rotting...more
She is raised by the Comanche, marries a Comanche warrior and becomes the mother of Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanche to surrender.
The background of history threads throughout this story. The white demand for buffalo robes, the invention of the buffalo rifle and the leaving of dead rotting...more
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Lucia St. Clair Robson has been a Peace Corps Volunteer, a teacher and a librarian. Her first historical novel, RIDE THE WIND, appeared on the New York Times best seller list, and in 1983 received the Golden Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. Since then she has written seven more novels set in a variety of times and places. Kirkus Reviews wrote, "Few novelists working today have a bet...more
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updated Feb 28, 2009 06:18pm
Feb 28, 2009 06:19pm