PALO DURO by MAX L. KNIGHT, *REVIEW* Lone Star Book Blog Tour
PALO DURO
by
MAX L. KNIGHT
Genre: Historical Fiction / Western
Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
Date of Publication: September 2, 2017
Number of Pages: 226
Scroll down for the giveaway!
Westward expansion following the civil war ushered in an era of increased conflict between
the Southern Plains Indians and white settlers. Peace treaties offered temporary suspension of
hostilities, but more often than not resulted in broken promises as the two cultures clashed over land.
The construction of frontier forts and towns, the decimation of the buffalo herds, the movement of
cattle through Indian lands to burgeoning western markets, – all of these forces threatened a way of
life that had existed for centuries.
the Southern Plains Indians and white settlers. Peace treaties offered temporary suspension of
hostilities, but more often than not resulted in broken promises as the two cultures clashed over land.
The construction of frontier forts and towns, the decimation of the buffalo herds, the movement of
cattle through Indian lands to burgeoning western markets, – all of these forces threatened a way of
life that had existed for centuries.
The Comanche, the Southern Cheyenne, the Kiowa, the Apache all fought to protect their customs and
homelands. The clashes were characterized by savagery on both sides - Indian and white. However,
finite numbers and options would ensure the tribes’ defeat; they faced certain death or forced relocation
and their days were numbered.
Though the Indian wars are the focus of Palo Duro, the novel also captures the spirit of the “Old West”
with its depiction of the great cattle drives from Texas into Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado and
Montana, the cattle barons and the trail blazers, the outlaws and gunslingers, the lawmen and Texas
Rangers, and the settlers and entrepreneurs who built this country. It chronicles an era characterized by
heroism, brutality, and bold ventures while paying tribute to a genre that is fading from public
consciousness – the western. It is the story of the Southwest United States towards the end of the
nineteenth century and the rugged individualism that forged a nation.
5 STAR PRAISE FOR PALO DURO:
This book captured Central Texas in the post-Civil War era better
than any other book I’ve read. It was well researched, well written,
and easy to read. I enjoyed this book more than Empire of the Summer
Moon, the standard setter. I recommend this to readers of any level,
even if you dislike history, as this book is that good.
than any other book I’ve read. It was well researched, well written,
and easy to read. I enjoyed this book more than Empire of the Summer
Moon, the standard setter. I recommend this to readers of any level,
even if you dislike history, as this book is that good.
– Jeffrey R. Murray, Amazon review
Max Knight brought to life the saga of how Texas tamed their frontier.
He presents a colorful experience with characters effectively placed
throughout his story. If you have any interest in Texas history this
book is a must read. – AmazonJacki, Amazon review
He presents a colorful experience with characters effectively placed
throughout his story. If you have any interest in Texas history this
book is a must read. – AmazonJacki, Amazon review
Palo Duro is an exceptional novel, well researched; a must read.
– Chuck B., Amazon review
Reading this book is a great way to deepen and appreciate one’s Texas
roots – or if you are not a Texan to understand and enjoy what makes
Texas, well, Texas! I found this novel to be especially entertaining
as well as informative. Made me want to go back and read Lonesome Dove
again! – Michael P., Amazon review
roots – or if you are not a Texan to understand and enjoy what makes
Texas, well, Texas! I found this novel to be especially entertaining
as well as informative. Made me want to go back and read Lonesome Dove
again! – Michael P., Amazon review
In the spirit of the old Western genre of Zane Grey and L’amour,
Max Knight pays homage to our national heritage with this fictional
but historically accurate labor of love that warms the heart with his
vivid imagery and authentic tone of America’s illustrious and
sometimes brutal past. – Chester Sosinski, Amazon review
Max Knight pays homage to our national heritage with this fictional
but historically accurate labor of love that warms the heart with his
vivid imagery and authentic tone of America’s illustrious and
sometimes brutal past. – Chester Sosinski, Amazon review
CLICK TO PURCHASE:
The Twig Bookshop
This excellent book reads like creative non-fiction, with great dialogue, which is the perfect way to experience the subject matter. However, the book is actually fiction, with breathing characters who truly lived and died generations ago. In addition to the fast pace, the chapters read very quick, so Palo Duro is perfectly suited for a modern reader. I've read both Empire of the Summer Moon and Larry McMurtry's Custer, and this book seemed like an easier, though well fleshed out, tale of the clash of western expansion and Native Americans. It is heartbreaking at the same time that it is matter of fact and very digestible. If you are interested in this historical period and what happened, particularly in the hauntingly gorgeous Palo Duro Canyon, I definitely recommend this book for you.
The book covers a good deal of territory, far more than just the Canyon or even Texas. It begins with Native American meetings and talks, then heads on to Texas with some actual confrontation, and then even encompasses such material as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. So, for such a slim volume, the reader truly will gain a broad perspective, all while reading intricate stories of how certain events could have happened.
This was the first book I began in 2018, so I wanted to also post a picture for you showing the fun I had sharing this First Book Pick with others on social media (this post was on Litsy). Thank you, Mr. Knight, for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book covers a good deal of territory, far more than just the Canyon or even Texas. It begins with Native American meetings and talks, then heads on to Texas with some actual confrontation, and then even encompasses such material as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. So, for such a slim volume, the reader truly will gain a broad perspective, all while reading intricate stories of how certain events could have happened.
This was the first book I began in 2018, so I wanted to also post a picture for you showing the fun I had sharing this First Book Pick with others on social media (this post was on Litsy). Thank you, Mr. Knight, for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Max L. Knight was born in Panama in 1949, and was raised both in the Canal Zone and
in San Antonio, Texas where he now resides with his wife, Janet "Gray." A proud member
of the Corps of Cadets and graduate of Texas A&M University (Class of '73), he received
a bachelor’s degree in English and a Regular Army commission and served the next
twenty-four years as an Air Defense and Foreign Area Officer before retiring in 1997 with the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After leaving the Army, Max spent the next five years working for
RCI Technologies of San Antonio, becoming its Director of Internal Operations. Separating
from the company in 2002, he volunteered to be the first docent at the Alamo working within
its Education Department before once again serving his country as a Counterintelligence
Specialist in Europe, Central America, Asia and the Middle East through 2013. Max speaks
several languages including Greek and Spanish. He also holds a Master of Science degree in
government from Campbell University. He has written and published two books to date:
Silver Taps, a personal memoir of his relationship with his father and a tribute to his alma
mater, and Palo Duro, a novel focusing on the Indian wars in the southwestern United
States at the end of the nineteenth century.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
One Winner: Signed copy of Palo Duro + $20 Amazon Gift Card
Two Winners: Signed Copies of Palo Duro
JANUARY 10-19, 2018
(U.S. Only)
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