This is a fabulous book that truly depicts the down home feel of Indiana. As a life-long resident, I am able to reflect on the many places I have visited throughout the years. The photography was beautiful and made me proud of my midwest heritage. I first purchased this book for my daughter to take to her host family in Germany and have now purchased it for myself and for gifts.

Truly a work of art in literature format. Thom brings the Shawnee Nation to life again as it once was and evokes great feeling through his work, which has a depth of its own, almost unparalleled. He is a master at his particular craft. The thing which depressed me most about this book besides reading of the destruction of The People in seemingly all too vivid detail, was the fact that i think i shall never read a better book, for this would be hard to top. Understand though that i am a great admirer of Tecumseh, so bias may come into play. But also understand that being as i am, such works would endure intense scutiny, as this book has, and yet from me, it receives nothing but praise. Too often, i have witnessed history butchered by those unskilled in its telling, but Thom has shown through his work that he is truly a student of the past and is the teacher when it comes to its portrayal. 5+ stars!

This book, like no others that I have read, truly brings Tecumseh and the Shawnee people to life. Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. It was absolutely spellbinding. I could hardly wait to read the next page! James Alexander Thom gives us a perspective of Indian life that is truly fascinating and interesting and human. After reading this book I understand Tecumseh better and it makes me wish that I could have known him personally.

This book adds valuable information and insight into the legend of Tecumseh. In Panther in the Sky James Alexander Thom brings Tecumseh to life. We learn more about this great man who helped shape Ohio history, and played a critical role in the Indain struggle to hold onto their homelands and way of life. A must read for those interested in history and the early settlement of the Ohio Valley area.

Thom fleshes out American history with real characters, and an inside look at one of early America's most influential families. Although some of the Revolutionary War and Indian War sequences drag on a bit long, it was well worth the trip as a launching pad for the famed Lewis & Clark exploration. In fact, I hated to leave them as they reached the Pacific, and would like to see how they faced those same challenges on the journey home. It paints a less than flattering picture of our nation's early history, while at the same time celebrating the bravery of those who made it happen. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will enjoy even more this piece of history that Thom embraces like a story.

Although I'm not much of a history buff, I read this book at the advice of a friend. By the end of the first chapter I was hooked. Thom brings the adventures of the Clark family to life. The book is accurate from a historical perspective and leaves the reader with a new appreciation of the courage and sacrifice behind our country's westward expansion. A must read.

This is the best novel of Revolutionary American history I have ever read. The story of the Clark family is incredible, especially that of two particular sons, George and William. Perhaps the main theme of this book is leadership. George Rogers Clark was a phenomenal leader. He almost single-handedly won the western frontier during the Revolution. In the end, he was ruined rather than rewarded, for his efforts. As his inner fire dies, it is momentarily rekindled by his young brother, who departs to co-lead the greatest adventure in American History. Thom's depiction of George's brutal marches on Kaskaskia and Vincennes, and the Journey of the Corps of Discovery, is a masterwork.

This was one of the most captivating adventures I've read about in a long time. I'm a slow reader, and enjoy savoring the details of a good book, but still surprised myself as I finished this in (for me) record time. J. A. Thom's intensely sensitive portrayal of the conflicted and insightful soul of Lewis and Clark's half Shawnee, half French communicator and hunter, George Drouillard, made the details of two-year expedition come alive. Other accountings I've read of the Lewis and Clark Expedition left me dry, but Thom fills in the facts with riveting narrative and anchors it with fascinating historical journal entries. A thoroughly good read. Thank you, Mr. Thom.

Thom's Sign Talker draws in the reader from the very start. This is an action-packed, intelligent, effective novel that vividly leads you through the trials and triumphs of Lewis and Clark's journey, as seen through the eyes of their Native American interpreter. As always, Thom gives life to his characters with tremendous insight into human nature. A respectable novel I can highly recommend to anyone who enjoys adventure and history.

If you are interested in the Lewis and Clark expedition,
then this is the book for you. It is one of the best books
I have ever read. It brought the expedition to life for me
and made me feel like I was there. My main problem with
the book is that it is a novel. I would have preferred a
biography, even though a biography would not have been as
much fun to read. On almost every page I found myself
asking, "Did Thom make this up, or did it really happen?"
Here are a few examples. Did George Drouillard think of
himself as 100% Indian, Indian and French, or French?
Did Drouillard have a special friendship with Clark's
black slave, York? Was Drouillard so bold as to frequently
pester York for York to ask Clark for his freedom and get
away? Was Lewis slightly crazy at the beginning of the
expedition, or did he go crazy as the trip progressed?
Could Drouillard conduct detailed and complex conversations
with every Indian tribe he met, using only sign language?
Did Drouillard have the wisdom and attitude of a twentieth-
century liberal?

I read this book years ago, but the story of George Rogers Clark has stayed with me. Thom is one of those rare authors that can paint pictures with his masterful weaving of words. A fictional presentation of a real-life hero, a man who accomplished amazing things and lived and outstanding life - and he is one that has long been overshadowed in the history books to a degree by his younger brother's feats (William Clark, famed adventurer of the Lewis & Clark team).

Thom has done a superb job of showcasing George Rogers Clark in this book. It's an outstanding read and could well set the reader on an adventure for more historical fiction from this fine author. Be sure to check out 'From Sea to Shining Sea' as well.

This is the second book I've read by James Alexander Thom. I love the way this author writes. Like the first book that I ready, Follow The River, this book pulled me in and I couldn't wait to get back to reading it to see what happened next. Thom does a superb job in his research. I read the book over the Christmas holiday when I was travelling. After the holidays I happened to catch a History Channel presentation on George Rogers Clark. To my surprise, Thom was included among the experts that they interviewed. I would recommend that anyone who likes to read about history and have it brought to life in the story read this book. I can't wait to read another book by Thom.

this story shows how the efforts of "george rogers clark" contributed to the growth of this country. we are used to hearing about the exploits of the revolutionary war but not often do we get a chance to know what was going on in the northwest territory. this is one of the best books i have ever read that covers how important a part was played by what was happening there. i recommend this book as an excellent read and most informative.

Thom has fictionalized a true story with such powerful description that one forgets the fact that most of the details are imagined. They are, however, totally believable, and even though the reader knows the ending (she finally makes it home), the book is difficult to put down. Every footstep of the journey is vivid. The author also manages to portray the Indians as human beings in spite of the gory details of the massacre. Mary Ingles was a fourth great-grandmother of a friend of mine, and this makes the book more immediate for me. My own great-great grandfather was survivor of a Shawnee massacre in the same area 20 years later. I am astounded at the courage and endurance of these brave people who were our forebears. As a writer, I was amazed at how many different ways Thom describes weather, terrain, pain, and terror. Mary's decision to give up her baby to the Indian girl was a selfless, practical act, and her mental and emotional strength kept her from descending into a morass of romantic, sentimental, blubbering guilt. This book should be required in American history courses as adjunct reading material. It tells us what a history book cannot--the human side of the early development of this country.

As a West Virginia resident and one that lives near the Ohio river, I find myself thinking about Mary and her journey home. I find myself wondering what the river looked like to her. This is a fantastic book. I have passed this book on to several people and they all tell me that they can not put it down.
If you read this book you will find yourself asking, "what is going to happen next".
What is so remarkable is that this is a true story. I found myself crying when Mary left her newborn baby behind. The perils she and Gretel endure are unbelievable. I would hope that I would be able to persevere as she did in such trying times. I don't think a man could have done any better.
West Virginia history classes need to teach about this wonderful women and not focus so much on learning the counties. I could not believe that this story takes place in our beautiful state and had never even heard of this woman.
The Hallmark channel showed a TV movie based on the book but played lightly on the hardships and was not a true adaptation of the book.

I've read this book three times and teach it to my twelfth grade English classes. Mary Ingles is an inspiration of the possibilities of endurance of the human spirit. Victim of a brutal Shawnee attack in the summer of 1755 she is force marched from Virginia to Shawnee, Ohio while nine months pregnant giving birth on the trail. She is sold into slavery and taked to the area near Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky. Together with an old Dutch woman she escapes and begins a 1,000 mile trek home through unknown and hostile wilderness. In 43 harrowing days she goes from 125 pounds to under 80 pounds as she faces the elements, starvation, wild animals, hostile Indians, implacable nature, and a companion that turns cannibal. The reader shares the agony of the journey with Mary as she must go the final miles on her hands and knees. The most amazing thing about the story is it is true. Like his other historical novels Thom has done his research and he makes the history come alive for his reader.

I finished this 533 page novel in four days, and I read from page 264 to the ending in one sitting. I think that pretty much sums it up that I really, really enjoyed reading this book. It is on such a fascinating subject which is not too often found in adult literature. Most historical fiction novels on white children taken captive by the Indians are written for juvenile or young adult readers.

This novel is based on the true story of Frances Slocum who at age 5 was carried off by Delaware Indians right in front of her family in 1778. Her family searched for nearly sixty years until they finally found her- the widow of a Miami chief who could not speak any English or even remember her given name except for Slocum. Thom details what occured in the sixty years before that reunion. Mostly, it is a story of young Frances adapting to her new life, her growth into womanhood, and her experiences with the tragedies that occur to her Indian people as the Americans take their lands and destroy the entire fabric of their lives. Thom also details the Slocums' attempts to find their lost child during that same period. Thom does a great job of capturing what must have been the emotions when that lost sister met her Slocum siblings for the first time in six decades. Truly poignant.

My only complaint about this book is Thom's rather simplistic portrayals of the Indians and whites. With the exception of the Quaker Slocum family, every white in this book is a brutish lout; and with the exception of a couple drunken brutes, the Indians are all portrayed as wonderful people. The historical reality was a little more complex, and even most children's books on the subject of Indian captivities present a more even-handed picture. For instance, historically the Indians, who carried off little Frances, also carried off two other children who they later killed for crying too much, and that they had killed a "boy" on the Slocum farm. Thom doesn't ignore that the Indians also took other captives with Frances or that they had killed someone at her family's farm, but he has the other captive being ransomed back to the whites, and he has turned that killed "boy" into a soldier. I think that is being a little dishonest for sake of "political correctness," which is annoying.

The author has done it again!!! James Alexander Thom is well known for being a master of the historical fiction novel...and in the case of The Red Heart...he only adds to his unique reputation! I was totally absorbed in the story of Frances Slocum from page one! The author completely succeeded in making me care about the main charactors in the novel and, more importantly, he taught me quite a bit about the history, culture and lives of the Native American peoples among whom Frances Slocum lived. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who has even the slightest interest in understanding more about the history of our nation's earliest days. I also would recommend this book to anyone who would like a rousing read and a real "page turner"! Without a doubt this is one of the author's finest works to date!!

I picked it up having never read anything by Thom before.

Well, now I'm hooked! I didn't realize at first that this was a true story (based on the real-life of Frances Slocum). To me it just sounded like an interesting premise, the story of a child carried off by Indians.

Seeing as how the majority of books out there tend to portray American Indians in a very typical one-dimensional way, I was very pleased to find the characters here three-dimensional and complex, from Tuck-Horse to Minnow with her hatred for men, alcohol, whites, and just about everything in between. The only thing that disappointed me was that poor Mackonakwa's life (Frances Slocum) is rushed through in the latter half. The first half of the book is her early years growing up with the indians, while after she meets The Awl, the entire story is rushed through. A bit disappointing, but still a 5 star book.

Rushing out right now to get the rest of Thom's books!

Thorm takes you into the world of the shawnee indians from the begining of their oral history to present day, as seen through the eyes of a young boy as he spends the night guarding the tribal alter and sacred items. during this time the sacred items, one by one, take him on a journy back in time and explain their importance to his people, then and now. this book is well writen, colorfull, and easy to read will be enjoyable for any age, background or culture.

The author presents a very interesting story based on fact as passed down by oral tradition. The oral tradition will perhaps vary somewhat in the different septs of the Shawnee, and as oral tradition will not always be interpreted with the same exact meaning, but on an overall scale I believe the author has done an excellant job of representing the Shawnee people's history and tradition.

I have never heard of the Madoc legend before reading this book and now am eager to find out more about the legend. (I read this book because I enjoyed Follow the River so much.)
The three star rating is because of the large shifts in time between chapters which makes it difficult to follow the ancestral lineage of some of the characters. I wish more had been told of Man On a Horse and his bride Snow Hair. How is chief Four Bears related to them? ect....
I think a series of books may have done the story more justice.
The begining and the end are incredible. Don't be discouraged half way through the book. Stay with it until the end. You will not be disappointed.

If you enjoy historical fiction, ANY book by James Alexander Thom must be included in your library.
Children of First Man is well researched, highly plausible and holds your attention from page one to the finish.
This account of the Mandan tribe is extremely thought provoking

This is the BEST book I have ever read.
I read it when it first came out and again recently.
Outstanding, Mr. Thom draws you into the era.
A great story told by a great story teller.
I read a lot of historical fiction and this was by far the greatest!
Children of First Man and Runestone by Don Coldsmith are the two best books on the subject of early white man in North America.
Mr. Thoms latest book Sign-Talker is also a must read.

I've never finished a book of this length as quickly as I did this novel. I couldn't put it down. I was spellbound by the action, and felt a part of the Welsh explorers as they discovered the mysteries of their new world. I have purchased this book for many friends to enjoy. I have read four of Thom's books and still believe this is his best.

At age 52, I rank this as one of the three most entertaining books I've ever read, along with Goethe's Faust & John Grisham's The Firm. For two years, I had been researching Madoc and the Mandan to write a book on the subject; after reading Thom's book, I yield to a superior author who has thoroughly researched many sources and brought many mysteries together to reveal a likely history of actual events which occurred in Wales, the Southeast U. S., and along the Ohio River, culminating in the current location of the Mandan Nation in the center of our continent. As I continued reading, my jealousy quickly became admiration. I read this book five times in its first two months, and I continue to enjoy it today. I cannot comprehend any reaction other than excited enjoyment to this great book.

Amazingly, I felt transferred into this wild wilderness, battling all of the various elements of danger contained within the world of the ragged travellers. This is the story of a Welsh prince of antiquity that leaves his embattled homeland to hopefully build another kingdom in paradise. The scenes on the ocean voyage are particularly exciting, as are the various encounters with the native peoples he and his fellow journeyers encounter. I found the novel entirely engrossing.Before devouring this book, I had never read any of Thom's other novels. I went on to read most of his other works in rapid succession. He brings the history of native America into sharper focus.