Blood and Thunder Book Recommendation
Leadership lessons Sam Parr pulled from the book "Blood and Thunder"
Here's what he said
The reason I love reading about American history is because adventure is part of our foundation.
And since because we're so new, the stories are still fresh and relatable.
I started reading Blood and Thunder this weekend. Its the story of how America conquered the west, specifically through the life of Kit Carson who was a scout, soldier, and frontiersman.
Kit Carson is amazing.
He was an illiterate frontiersman who was hired by the US Army to lead explorations through the west.
The best part is learning about his leadership qualities.
“To an unusual extent, Kit Carson was a person who lived not in words but in action, responding to situations with a preternatural swiftness. Nearly everyone who knew him mentioned this quality. An army doctor who had traveled with Carson remarked on his ‘shrewdness of perception’ and his ‘promptitude in execution. To Kit, decision and action were but two steps in the same process."
Another quote:
“Carson’s integrity was simply perfect. The Indians knew it and would trust him any day before they would us [soldiers], or the president, either”
"He was mild-mannered, but could become “terrible” when circumstances demanded it. A soldier said his eyes warned “like the warning of the rattlesnake” before he struck"
Amazing book so far!
Image Description
The image shows the cover of the book "Blood and Thunder" by Hampton Sides, featuring a sepia-toned illustration of two figures on horseback, conveying a sense of historical adventure in the American West.
Positive Aspects
The image of the book cover is eye-catching and perfectly complements the blog post's theme of adventure and historical narrative. The sepia tone and bold typography evoke the rugged spirit of the American frontier, aligning well with the book's content about Kit Carson and the conquest of the West.
Key Takeaways
- Adventure and History: "Blood and Thunder" offers thrilling stories of the American West, focusing on the adventurous life of Kit Carson.
- Leadership Insights: Kit Carson exemplified decisive leadership and integrity, qualities that are highlighted in the book.
- Relatable Narratives: Despite being set in the past, the stories are fresh and relatable, providing timeless lessons on action and decision-making.
Additional Insights
Sam Parr's reflection on the book underscores how historical narratives can be a source of inspiration for modern leadership. Kit Carson's swift decision-making and integrity are timeless qualities that resonate with today's leaders. Plus, who wouldn’t want to read about a frontiersman whose eyes warned like a rattlesnake? That’s some serious character development right there!
