Lords of the Plain : A Novel

by Max Crawford

In this historical novel by Max Crawford, the U.S. 2nd Cavalry rolls into Texas in the 1870s with orders to keep the peace and persuade the fierce Comanches to move quietly onto the reservation. Captain Philip Chapman tells a tale of high adventure: the hardships of a forced cavalry march, an ambush by the Comanches, an idyllic summer camp at the Caballo Ranch, the epic trek made by Chapman and his K Troop across the Ilano estacado, and defeat of Tehana Storm, legendary half-white Comanche chieftain, in the decisive battle at Palo Duro Canyon.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Native American, Westerns

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is truly a shame as of this date only eight people have claimed readership of this book. Twenty years ago I read by happy accident Waltz Across Texas. It has stuck in my mind as I expect this book will. Just the other night with fifty pages to go I was ready to give up. It had entered a painfully sad section that I thought I couldn't bear to read. I am glad I hung in.

This book covers barely two years in 1874 to 1876. The place is west Texas. The central character is a U. S. Calvary officer assigned to an isolated western fort and part of a group of several hundred Army men charged with pacifying or eliminating the Commanche from his barren native land.

This special writing because Crawford never takes the easy way out. All of his myriad characters have their own wants, their own character arcs that do not only serve the needs of the central character. They are brave, cowardly, liars, hard bitten, soft centered, who seem unmoved by the hard riding life of sacrifice the are ordered to endure.

I know this is a fiction. I was very aware as I read it that it was a composite of several true life tales. I have read several other similar stories recently, all judged by me to be above average. Two of the other books may have had better story structure, but Lords of the Plains has by far the best, almost real, character work.

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Crawford retells the story of the clearing out the Llano Estacado, especially Palo Duro Canyon, of Comanches, and their final subjugation. It's a fictional tale, with life-like characters dealing with life-like desires, egos, failures, fears and concerns. But it's a historical narrative, giving the actual details of this moment as seen through imaginary eyes. There are very few heroes or good-guys, if any. Since I lived at the southern end of the Llano Estacado for ten years, it also held unique interest for me. The story almost tells itself, and so the author spares his readers from sexual scenes (though you can guess it) or the glorifying of violence. If you like historical fictions, Crawford may well do the trick for you. I recommend the book.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I knew about the decisive battle at Palo Duro Canyon and the end of the Comanches, but Max Crawford paints a different picture. This novel seems like a history wrapped up as historical fiction and told in a fine, dramatic manner. The pace is slow, but told in an evincing first person POV format All said and done, I liked the read. If you want a true picture of post civil war Texas, you can do no better.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great (and clearly under appreciated) book that like several other great westerns (e.g. “Shane”) is a tale about morality and the human condition that’s applicable to any time period. Military readers may have a particular appreciation for the modern day applicability of many of the books themes.

[Alex Wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story for its simpler, historical context, and local flavor since I live in the Llano Estacado now. The writing is clear, but imaginative.