The Plains Wars 1757–1900

Osprey Essential Histories #59

by Charles M. Robinson III

The Great Plains cover the central two-thirds of the United States, and during the nineteenth century they were home to some of the largest and most powerful Native American tribes on the continent. The conflict between those tribes and the newcomers from Europe lasted one hundred and fifty years, and required the resources of five nations--Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States--before fighting finally ended in the mid 1890s. This masterly exposition explains the background, causes, and long-term effects of these bitter wars, whose legacy can still be felt today.

Genres: Military History, History, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2003

About the author

Charles M. Robinson III was an American author, illustrator, and adventurer. He was a history instructor with South Texas College in McAllen, Texas, until early 2012 and was a member of the 2010 Oxford Round Table. He was a graduate of St. Edward's University and the University of Texas–Pan American.

He wrote several books that focused on the American Old West, as well as the American Civil War and the Spanish conquest of Mexico. He also wrote magazine articles on seafaring, sailing, hunting, guns, and antique automobiles. In 1993 he was awarded the T. R. Fehrenbach Book Award by the Texas Historical Commission.

Robinson passed away in 2012 due to complications from lung cancer.

Reviews

[AC · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good, short primer by a knowledgeable and prolific writer -- on a topic I know little about. The whole series is good.

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable and informative essential history

[Rachel Nabors · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book for $8 at a used book store with the express intent of learning more about my country's past--without having to sit through biased propaganda. And I was not disappointed. Charles presents these two wars in frank, unromantic terms. It's a nice little primer for anyone looking to learn, quickly, about the Plains Wars, and it's not boring. Also, a good gift for anyone who mistakenly believes Custer wore buckskins.

[Declan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great review of the wars in the North and South plains in the 18th and 19th Century. As with other Osprey titles in this series, it manages to give an introduction into a long subject, with good pictures, maps (albeit not always near the text), and explanation.

A few more typo-errors than usual but perfectly readable none-the-less.

If you have an interest in finding out more about the birth of America, I would highly recommend this.