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236th out of 405 books
—
247 voters
People of the Longhouse (Iroquois #1)
Six hundred years ago in what would become the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, five Iroquois tribes were locked in bitter warfare. From the ashes of violence, a great Peacemaker was born…
Young Odion and his little sister, Tutelo, live in fear that one day Yellowtail Village will be attacked. When that day comes and Odion and Tutelo are marched away as s...more
Young Odion and his little sister, Tutelo, live in fear that one day Yellowtail Village will be attacked. When that day comes and Odion and Tutelo are marched away as s...more
Paperback, 392 pages
Published
February 1st 2011
by Tor Books
(first published November 1st 2010)
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Growing up in Western New York we learned about the People of the Longhouse in school. In the lower grades we drew longhouses. In the upper grades we memorized the names and spellings of the tribes. We learned almost nothing written by the Gears in their marvelous introduction.
We learned that the longhouses were for "safety" without any real understanding of what the tribe needed to be safe from. Every year my home town (Niagara Falls, NY) staged a Maid of the Mist Festival which put a happy fac...more
We learned that the longhouses were for "safety" without any real understanding of what the tribe needed to be safe from. Every year my home town (Niagara Falls, NY) staged a Maid of the Mist Festival which put a happy fac...more
This seventeenth installment of the Gears’ North America’s Forgotten Past series chronicles hostilities between several Iroquois tribes. In the story, eleven-year-old Odion and his younger sister, Tutelo, are captured in a raid that has left most of his tribe dead. Despite brutal treatment at the hands of his captors, Odion holds out hope that his parents will track them and rescue them before he and Tutelo are killed or worse…
Though I’ve not read any of the Gears’ other titles, my expectation o...more
Though I’ve not read any of the Gears’ other titles, my expectation o...more
People of the Longhouse by W. Michael and Kathleen O’Neal Gear
A tale of North American Natives and the harsh realities of their often cruel world.
The Gears successfully combine history, archeology, sociology and fiction. They portray the Iroquoians as normal folks facing the pressures of their time. The interesting aspect is that humans react to stress in similar ways across the centuries.
Due to the Gears archeological roots, their books have a sense of authenticity missing in similar novels....more
A tale of North American Natives and the harsh realities of their often cruel world.
The Gears successfully combine history, archeology, sociology and fiction. They portray the Iroquoians as normal folks facing the pressures of their time. The interesting aspect is that humans react to stress in similar ways across the centuries.
Due to the Gears archeological roots, their books have a sense of authenticity missing in similar novels....more
I'm a bit biased on this since I love anthropology and it is written by anthropologists. Although it is fiction, it is great to see the true bits behind it, explained at the beginning of the book. Does a great job of giving insight into the everyday lives of an indigenous people and their beliefs. They also did a good job of relating the emotions of characters, as this is the only way we can relate to people whose everyday lives are so different from ours.
It was a bit of a cliffhanger, leaves yo...more
It was a bit of a cliffhanger, leaves yo...more
This book was on the new fiction shelf at the library, which caught my attention. I've been interested in learning more about the Iroquois nation since I was little and more recently as my travels frequently take me through upstate New York, which is the location of the novel.
The story focuses on a approximately 1 week in the late fall around 1400 AD following the attack of a Standing Stone village by unknown warriors. In addition to destroying the longhouse and killing many of the villagers, se...more
The story focuses on a approximately 1 week in the late fall around 1400 AD following the attack of a Standing Stone village by unknown warriors. In addition to destroying the longhouse and killing many of the villagers, se...more
People of the Longhouse just completely blew me away. I was so swept up in the story that I totally forgot to take any notes at all; it was just impossible for me to put down.
I'm one of those people that can easily lose them self in a story that isn't set in modern times, especially with one so well written as People of the Longhouse was.
The authors did one brilliant job bringing to life the Native American culture and creating a story and characters that had me rapidly turning the pages so tha...more
I'm one of those people that can easily lose them self in a story that isn't set in modern times, especially with one so well written as People of the Longhouse was.
The authors did one brilliant job bringing to life the Native American culture and creating a story and characters that had me rapidly turning the pages so tha...more
I've read the entire "People of the ..." series so far and I freely admit I'm addicted to them. While there is violence in all the books (how can you tell history without including violence), the last few books have addressed the deviance that surely existed then in a truly straight-on manner. As always the characters are engaging as are the plot lines. While not being an anthropologist, the books appear authentic and the multiple page bibliography at the end of each book implies they are well r...more
Jul 23, 2010
Eileen Souza
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
north-america,
historical-fiction
People of the Longhouse takes place around 1400 with the Iroquois people before their League of Nations. It's a fast paced story of young Odion, his little sister Tetula, and a group of children who have been captured as slaves in battle. It's also the story of their warrior parents desperately trying to track them down, and even agreeing to make friends with the enemy if it will help them find their children.
Unfortunately, it's another forced cliff hanger from the publisher. This book is a meas...more
Unfortunately, it's another forced cliff hanger from the publisher. This book is a meas...more
Ok- I DID pick up this book based completely on the cover. When I opened it though, there was a timeline, good sign. The authors- a husband and wife team- are archaeologists who have written a series of fiction books about different american indian tribes. I loved the book- good characters, plot, description, very light. The ending was a little muddled.. but I will read more of these when I need a change of pace.
This is the second book that I have read from this husband and wife author, and it seems the more I read from them the more I love their style of writing. This book will hold you from the first page and keep your interest until you close with the last, and dont worry when you do finish know that this is not just a cliff hanger...there is a second book coming out in early 2011. So pick up a copy, head home and enjoy an amazing story!!!
I have been reading this series about Native Americans for many years. They can be violent but I like how the authors weave in so much information about the times and the people, their customs and beliefs etc. It is definitely an acquired taste. I started with this sort of thing with Jean Auell's "Clan of the Cave Bear" and have been on this kick ever since.
In spite of a fair amount of violence, particularly against kidnapped children, I enjoyed this book. Knowing that it was written by anthropologists who combined history and cultural references in the context of fiction gave it more poignant. The ending was kind of a washout, but I've learned that there is a continuation of the story that was published this year. I will definitely look for it.
Brand new, and one of the best, series by the Gears. They specialize in pre-colonial North American historical fiction with a touch of fantasy. Wonderful characters, fast-paced plot and cultural details that really makes the whole thing click. It's really only part one, so be prepared for a bit of a cliffhanger. Pick this one up and prepare yourself, because soon you'll be scrambling to reading everything they've ever written.
I thought this story was very well written. It kept me coming back for more and I'm excited to read the next book in the series soon. **Word of caution** There were some things that happened to the kidnapped kids that were hard for me to read. I know those things happen, but I'm not sure I'd want to read about it again. (I had to put that in so you knew it wasn't a perfectly clean book.)
As with all their books, it is a fascinating mix of fiction and fact that paints a picture of native American culture and life prior to European involvment. The Gear's mix myth and cultural facts based on anthropolgical and archeological findings, to develop a moving and engrossing story. Looking forward to the next one in the series!
This was a quick read and an entertaining story, but it really shouldn't have been a book on it's own, but part of the second book they are writing as a sequel. Too many questions unanswered at the end. And I personally disliked this whole thing with the "Forest Spirit" - it just didn't make sense and was never explained and detracted from the "real story". I did like how they wrote the characters of Towa and Sindak - they sounded like modern best friends with their teasing and caring too. I lik...more
Wow a powerful story with intrigue and terror and horror, about the beginning of the reasons why the Iroquois confederacy began and the role of evil in why people begin to ban together to fight it, it is their divisions that make it hard for the individual to remain safe and secure. Very Graphic and Horrific in context.
The Gear's book are extremely interesting in how the create the scene of prehistoric Indians. You need to remember that, as archaeologists they know a lot about the physical realities, but must create and interpret social values. I find their books hard to put down. They are very exciting, as well as informative.
I love these authors. Per usual, this title is full of pre-history, anthropology, treachery and strong character development. I will say it was harder to read this one simply because it dealved into some rather savage child abuse. Still, I look forward to discovering how the plot and characters evolve in the next title of this duology.
Once again the Gears do not fail to please! I have yet to pick up one of their books that did not immediately suck me into the story and hold my attention until the very last page.
This series, however, is not for the feint of heart - as it revolves around a brutal child slavery/sex trade.
My only complaint about this book is that instead of their usual thickly paged books - this one is part 1 of 2. Mega cliff-hanger! I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of North America's Forgotten Past!
This series, however, is not for the feint of heart - as it revolves around a brutal child slavery/sex trade.
My only complaint about this book is that instead of their usual thickly paged books - this one is part 1 of 2. Mega cliff-hanger! I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of North America's Forgotten Past!
First book of a series of four. Story of the Iroquois starting in 1400 AD, a time of changing climate, famine and warfare. The Gears' books are always well researched and interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one because the end leave you hanging.
Good addition to the series, a time period and subject I don't know anything about. I just wish it wasn't a cliff-hanger...I don't usually mind a series of books, but I don't like reading a whole book and then being told that the story will continue in a book I have to wait for. Just tell me up front and then I won't mind as much. And this one looks like its going to take 3 more books to finish. That said, this might be one of my favorite ones of this series...excellent characters, and it didn't...more
I have read two books by these authors. Each time I enjoy the feeling of being back in time with native americans. The thought process and descriptions make me feel more in touch with nature and I learn things while enjoying good stories
this is the first of a series…. this is the kind of reading pleasure that mundane fiction does not provide: simple, recognizably human, but an entirely different world. not great lit skills, but fascinating to read. narrative is easily recounted for several characters in typical indirect free prose. i tended to see images of this long chase according to the movie ‘last of the mohicans’, though this does not involve europeans in any way…
as far as genre goes i put this under science fiction becaus...more
as far as genre goes i put this under science fiction becaus...more
I really like this whole series of Native American novels written by the Gears. I think that it is fascinating to read what lives that far back may have been like---and the authors are anthropologists so that helps.
This is an exciting and unique read. It is a good old fashioned action-adventure yarn, depicting the efforts of long ago Native Americans to rescue their children from a terrifying (and perhaps supernatural) slave trader. I highly recommend this book.
W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear have written a lot of excellent books. This is another one of them and the beginning of a series of five books. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. It is interesting that these Indians provided for America many of the ideas of democracy that we assume came from Europe. t=This is a fascinating series.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Unraveling the weave.
Opening the corners of something hidden.
There is always something more than what I see and know.
Glimpse of something I do not know, but want to understand.
Opening the corners of something hidden.
There is always something more than what I see and know.
Glimpse of something I do not know, but want to understand.
This book was so good that I read it in one day, so addictive and interesting! I had never read about the Iroquois, but I found this to be a wonderful insight into their world.
The Gears are the best at what they do, which is writing about pre-history based on archeology, creating a plausible fictional story to help us to understand the facts and thus preserve our own Native American history. Kathleen and Michael have been my lamplight in becoming a Native American historical fiction writer. They alone are responsible for peeking my interest in our dim past and have provided a window to that time and place of which they write. If you desire to see the past of our unkno...more
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W. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the fam...more
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