Follow the River by JAMES ALEXANDER Thom Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.28 You Save: $3.71 (46%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Follow the River
Book Review: Determination, focus, and survival against all odds!
Summary: 5 Stars
The first time I read this wonderfully gripping novel was about 15 years ago, and when I started reading it, I could not put it down. Now, 15 years later, I have had the same experience. It kept me up at night and I found myself in the same state of awe as the first reading.Mary Draper Ingles was a 23 year old pregnant mother and wife, when the settlement she lived in was invaded by Shawnee Indians. They killed her mother and took Mary, her 2 sons, and her sister-in-law captive, leading them deep into unsettled territory. While on the trek to the Shawnee camp, she gave birth to a daughter.
After being in captivity for months, Mary escaped in the company of an old Dutch woman. Together the two survived a walk of one thousand miles through untamed territory in the beginning of winter w/no food, no warm clothing, no weapons, nothing - except the Ohio River as her guide to "home". Eventually, literally starving to death, the old Dutch companion started seeing Mary as a "meal", and it was Mary's determination and wits that kept her from being Gretel's next meal.
The Shawnee Chieftain, Wildcat, kept Mary's 2 young sons - the youngest died shortly after being seperated from his mother, and the oldest stayed w/the Shawnees for around 13 years, before Mary's husband, Will, finally managed to locate him and get him back. She made the very hard and unimaginable decision to leave her baby daughter w/Otter Girl, for she knew there was no way her baby would survive the trek home. When she finally did get back to civilization, she was unrecognizable, starved, and frozen. This is a remarkable story of determination, focus, drive and strength of character of one 23 year old woman! It is well written and as I read it, I find it very easy to "experience" all she experiences. I am in total awe of this great woman and story of her survival. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone - for I cannot imagine it not touching the heart of any who read it!
Book Review: Encouraging!
Summary: 5 Stars
I choose this book because I am researching my family's genealogy and had heard I was somehow related to Mary Draper Ingles. Was I ever surprised and encouraged by such a women. It made me realize that life's little problems are but obstacles to overcome. I think Mary Draper Ingles can give us all a little encouragement, strength and hope.Book Review: Entertaining and Gripping Story
Summary: 5 Stars
Mary Ingles is a white woman who is abducted from her homestead along with her sister-in-law and her two sons. Subject to the harrowing death of friends and family and a grueling journey south, Mary's steadfast nature and friendly personality wins the respect of her captors.
This novel was excellent. Mr Thom's grasp of dialect was comprehensive, and his female characters were well-written. I particularly like Mary's relationship with the Dutch woman. I also liked the Native characters.
I found the journey at the end of the book a bit drawn out. I think it could've benefited from some editing. Overall, this is one of the best books I've read all year. I read it in less than a day. 5 stars.
Book Review: Enthralling.....Fascinating......A have to read
Summary: 5 Stars
Being a lover of history, this was definately a fabulous book. Sometimes writers try to sugar coat our country's history, as if it was a perfect time; But it was not! James Alexander Thom does not sugar coat the truth, which makes the story all the more better.Book Review: Even after third read, this book still amazes.
Summary: 5 Stars
There are only a few book I've read more than once but this one is at the top of that list. Although I know the ending, it doesn't take away from the intensity of the story. Mary Ingles is a true example of what we can endure if we keep our focus. Her struggle is hard to imagine but she perseveres, returns home, and lives another 60 years. Great history. Great adventure.