The Red Heart by JAMES ALEXANDER Thom Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Red Heart
Book Review: awesome! bravo!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one great book.
It is based on the true story of Francis Slocum, a 4 year old Quaker girl who was kidnapped by Delaware Indians in the 1770s on the Pennsylvania frontier near Wilkes-Barre. (There are recreation areas named for her in both Pennsylvania and Indiana)
It is also the story of her family's 60 year search for her across the Midwest and even into Canada.
It is also the story of the relentless American westward movement and how the Indians dealt with it.
The reader also gets a fantastic lesson on daily life among the Delaware and Miami Indians.
If you're a Star Trek: The Next Generation fan you'll remember the epidsode in which Picard is "attacked" by the alien probe from the long-dead world that makes him live an entire lifetime among their people in his mind in just a few seconds so that their way of life will never be forgotten. (It's the one where he learns to play the little flute-type instrument). Well, this book reminds me of that - you are drawn into this woman's life and initiated into Indian culture as she is. you learn along with her. You grow up with her, feel her disappointments and joys and her confusions as she learns that her white family is searching for her (should she seek them? should she run? Would it be best to take advantage of her white skin and abandon her Indian family as the times get harder and harder?)
I have a few quibbles with the book but those are dwarfed by Thom's overall accomplishment. Honestly, at the end of the book, when Francis Slocum dies, I felt as though a longtime friend who'd lived a wonderful and fulfilling life had died - and that is the greatest compliment I think I can give it.
Bravo!
Book Review: great story
Summary: 5 Stars
I knew the basics of the Francis Slocum story my whole life. I grew up in Dallas, Pa., 5 miles or so from Francis Slocum State Park and have spent many a day fishing and hiking (and skipping school) the trails in the area so when I saw the book I was immediately drawn to it and read it in 3 days. It was the first park I ever visited. The towns, places and events in the book all took place my old stomping grounds where I grew up so I guess I have a special affinity towards it. It's interesting to hear of events like Sullivan's March from another perspective other than what you see and read on the historical markers in the area. I never really realized it was essentially a scorched earth policy ordered by George Washington for the whole upper Susquehanna River System which is definitely not the slant given by historians in the area. Highly recommendedBook Review: untitled
Summary: 5 Stars
As a student of Native American history, I was pleased to find that Mr. Thom has done his research thoroughly. The eradication attempts of the Native Peoples by various administrations are well documented(although sometimes you really have to dig deep to find it). I continue to marvel at the will and hold in the highest esteem these people who would not let their culture die. Mr. Thom makes the characters "come alive". I felt the cold, the warmth of the fire and the love and caring of these people for all living things. I recommend this book to everyone.