Hampton Sides, a renowned author and historian, unpacks the extraordinary life of Kit Carson, a pivotal figure in 19th-century American exploration. The discussion highlights Carson's transformation from an illiterate trapper to a national celebrity, fueled by his exploits in the rugged West. Sides delves into Carson's complex relationships with Native Americans, showcasing both his respect for their cultures and the conflicts that arose. The conversation also explores the impact of his legendary status and the real, often unbelievable adventures that defined his legacy.
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insights INSIGHT
Carson's Historical Significance
Kit Carson's life, spanning three decades, coincided with monumental events in the American West.
He participated in westward expansion, the acquisition of California, and both the Mexican-American and Civil Wars.
insights INSIGHT
Carson's Unique Perspective
Carson's involvement in key events of westward expansion offers a unique perspective on American history.
He serves as a connecting thread through a turbulent period of exploration, conflict, and change.
insights INSIGHT
Mountain Men as Mappers
Mountain men like Kit Carson, driven by the beaver trade, inadvertently mapped the American West.
Their intimate knowledge of the terrain proved invaluable for later expeditions and westward expansion.
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In 'Blood and Thunder', Hampton Sides provides a detailed and engaging history of the American West, focusing on the life of Kit Carson, a trapper, scout, and soldier. The book spans over three decades, from the early days of the trappers to the final pacification of the Navajo by General Sherman. It explores the complexities of Carson's personality, his respect for and interactions with Native American tribes, and his role in the devastating conflicts that shaped the region. The narrative also delves into the broader historical context, including the Mexican-American War and the ideology of 'Manifest Destiny', highlighting the brutal and often overlooked aspects of the American West's conquest[1][3][4].
On desperate ground
Hampton Sides
In 'On Desperate Ground,' Hampton Sides delivers a vivid and detailed narrative of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, one of the most brutal battles in modern military history. The book recounts how U.S. Marines, vastly outnumbered and surrounded by Chinese forces in sub-zero temperatures, fought their way to survival in a desperate breakout. Through extensive research and interviews, Sides portrays the heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers in extreme conditions.
Within the space for just three decades, monumental episodes of exploration and expedition, politics and violence, including the mapping the Oregon Trail, the acquisition of California, and the Mexican-American and Civil wars, forever changed the history of the United States and the shape of the American West. And one man, an illiterate trapper, scout, and soldier, was there for it all: Kit Carson.
In his book Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West, author and historian Hampton Sides follows Carson as a through-line in this extraordinary period. Today on the show, Hampton and I discuss how Kit Carson became a living legend through embellished accounts of his heroics, and yet undertook real-life exploits that were nearly as unbelievable as the tall tales told about him. We explore how Carson joined the grizzled fraternity of mountain men in his youth, and the wide array of skills that helped him excel as a trapper. We discuss how Carson then parlayed those skills into becoming a scout on expeditions that took him from St. Louis to California, over the Rocky and Sierra mountains, and all throughout the wild, rugged West. Hampton shares how these expeditions turned Carson into a national celebrity and what this frontiersman thought of his fame. Hampton also unpacks Carson’s complex relationship with American Indians, and how he respected and adopted the ways of some tribes, but fought against others. We end our conversation with why he decided to become an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War, his initially reluctant and then brutal campaigns against the Navajos, and his legacy.
The Art of Manliness 
