Henry Chappell

Blood Kin by Henry Chappell carried me off to the wilds of 1838 Texas and kept me spellbound as I read the tale of Isaac Webb, a young Texan who joins the militia after the Alamo and fights the Mexicans. When the Republic of Texas is formed he is with the Texas Rangers and first fights, then becomes a peace emissary to the Comanche. This is an epic story chock full of authentic characters, realistic actions and unforgettable sequences.

My only disappointment with this book is that I never wanted it to end. Isaac became very real through the course of the story and I loved rooting for him. As the escalating Indian raids bring violence and heartbreak to the vast Texan frontier, you feel the fear and loathing that the very name Comanche invoked. Then when Isaac is sent to live among them as part of a peace mission, the Comanche become human and your sympathy for their plight is drawn forth. As Isaac befriends a young Comanche warrior called Looks Far, the seeds of revenge and hatred are planted that eventually bring about a brutal dilemma that Isaac must resolve before he can move on with his life.

The author has portrayed this piece of history both accurately and fairly. Prejudice was prevalent on all sides of this conflict and it is easily seen that there never could have been a peaceful negotiation between the white settlers and this proud, and previously undefeated Indian nation. I highly recommend Blood Kin, it is rich in both history and story as the author blends both real and fictional characters in his memorable tale of the American West.… (meer)

I loved this book. It's about a fascinating time in Texas history, and a group of men who can often be reviled with justice...told from the perspective of a young, innocent man who joins the Texas Rangers almost by accident, it traces his development into an upstanding husband (of a Waco Indian woman) and father, a fighter for justice for all, not just all whites, and a friend of several of the founders of the Republic.

I loved the descriptive power of the author's prose, and felt his characters were limned in fast, sure strokes. I can't recommend it strongly enough, especially to non-Texans.… (meer)