Adobe Walls: The History and Archaeology of the 1874 Trading Post by T. Lindsay Baker and Billy R. Harrison offers a comprehensive examination of the ill-fated trading post established in the Texas Panhandle during the height of the buffalo hunting era. The book delves into the establishment of the post by Dodge City merchants in spring 1874, intended to serve the hide hunters who were depleting the region's bison herds. The authors meticulously detail the subsequent June 1874 attack by Kiowa and Comanche warriors, highlighting the defenders' resilience despite being outnumbered. After the attack, the post was abandoned and burned by the Native American forces, aiming to erase traces of the white presence. However, remnants of the post remained, leading to archaeological excavations over a century later that uncovered valuable insights into the lives of the hide men and the broader context of the Plains Indian culture's decline and the westward expansion. 
 
Baker and Harrison, a historian and an archaeologist respectively, combine historical narratives with archaeological findings to provide a nuanced understanding of the site's significance. The book serves as both a historical account and an archaeological study, offering readers a multifaceted perspective on the events surrounding Adobe Walls. While the narrative is grounded in factual research, some critiques note that the portrayal of Native American perspectives could be more balanced, as the authors primarily focus on the European-American settlement and its immediate aftermath. Nonetheless, Adobe Walls stands as a valuable resource for those interested in the complexities of frontier history and the interactions between settlers and Native American tribes during this tumultuous period.