Good history books on the Wild West

[JoeK]

I’m currently under the spell (again) of Red Dead, and whilst I’ve always been a fan of US history, I’ve not read a huge amount of it about it.

 

Has anyone got any recommendations. I’d rather have a good ‘general’ history of the period as opposed to a book which gets specific about certain characters or issues etc.

 

 

[Stopharage]

Can't help you I'm afraid. However, if you ever feel the urge to read a bit of Wild West fiction, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy is superb. 

[lolly]

Blood and thunder  by Hampton Sides gives a reasonable account of the expansion to the west and a brief sort of autobiography of Kit Carson. Reads like a thriller and is worth a look.

Blood Meridian is one of the nastiest and black hearted books I've ever read. It's fantastic.

 

[ZOK]

Thirded (unhelpfully) for Blood Meridian.

[Olandel]

 Empire of the Summer Moon  -   Though it seems to be quite divisive with a lot of reviewers claiming it is rascist, if that puts you off, I thought it was as good as Blood and Thunder, balanced and a good read. 

[Sirloin]

Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee is great.

[Dave White]

Bury my heart at wounded knee is unsurpassed. And jaw dropping.