Hampton Sides latest work deals with Manifest Destiny as it tragically plays out in the New Mexico Territory from just before the Mexican War though the aftermath of Civil War period. Interwoven throughout the book is the life of one the West's famous character, Kit Carson. While Sides uses Carson's exploits in the narrative of conquest of the west, his work deals with the violent impact of America's unstoppable drive to the Pacific and it impact on the lives of Mexicans and Americans living in the southwest and especially on the fate of the Navajo Indians and other Indian tribes in the region.

Kit Carson, already a famed Mountain Man of the West, plays a crucial, yet unwitting role in opening up the West to the great migration and the resulting destruction of the West he so loved. Carson's act as head scout to John C. Fremont's Expedition in 1845-46 would reveal the West's treasurers to the people living in the East. Fremont who would later gain fame for his capture of California during the Mexican War comes off as vainglorious character. Carson would also serve as courier for Stephen Kearney's Army of the West in relaying the news of the capture of California to President Polk.

Throughout this period, Mexicans and American settlers living in New Mexico are subject to constant raids by the Navajo, Comanche's, and other tribes. The Navajo led at first by the elderly and respected Narbona, view the almost bloodless conquest of their long time enemy, the Mexicans, with both joy and awe of the "New Men", the blue coat army from the East. Early treaties between the American Army and the Navajo fail to end the Indian raids. The army retaliates with attacks that lead to the killing of Narbona who is succeeded by Manuelito, a more fearsome leader of the tribe. The Indian raids continue and would later escalate as the army is diminished by the breakout of the Civil War. During the Indian Wars, Kit Carson is "drafted" into the army and rises to the rank of Colonel. Although with the army, the Navajo continue to view Carson as a man of honor who they can trust.

Finally, in 1863 the army under General Carleton decides the only solution to ending the violence and to protect the Navajos from extinction from the ever-growing migration of Americans from the East is to resettle the tribe into a reservation. Tragically, for the Navajos, the place Carleton chooses lies 400 miles outside of Navajo country. Their journey to their new "home" known as "The Long Walk." As a Semi-nomadic tribe, the Navaho are forced into being farmers on an alien landscape. The inevitable misery and depression of the proud Navajo people sets in.

Carson who is honored by President Lincoln for his service to the army by being promoted to honorary title of Brevet General, but by now, his health is failing. In 1868, a month after his wife bears him his seventh child; she dies from complications of childbirth. A month later, Carson dies from an aneurysm he suffered with for many years.

Five days later a Peace Commission led General Sherman meets with the Navajo leaders and reverses Carleton's actions and allows the Navajo to return to their homeland.

The title, Blood and Thunder, comes from the publishing of mostly fictionalized accounts of western heroes and characters, of which Kit Carson was one of their first subjects.