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Warrior Woman: The Exceptional Life Story of Nonhelema, Shawnee Indian Woman Chief
A bestselling master of historical fiction, James Alexander Thom has brought unforgettable Native American figures to life for millions of readers, powerfully dramatizing their fortitude, fearsomeness, and profound fates. Now he and his wife, Dark Rain, have created a magnificent portrait of an astonishing woman–one who led her people in war when she could not persuade them to make peace.
Her name was Nonhelema. Literate, lovely, imposing at over six feet tall, she was the Women’s Peace Chief of the Shawnee Nation–and already a legend when the most decisive decade of her life began in 1774. That fall, with more than three thousand Virginians poised to march into the Shawnees’ home, Nonhelema’s plea for peace was denied. So she loyally became a fighter, riding into battle covered in war paint. When the Indians ran low on ammunition, Nonhelema’s role changed back to peacemaker, this time tragically.
Negotiating an armistice with military leaders of the American Revolution like Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark, she found herself estranged from her own people–and betrayed by her white adversaries, who would murder her loved ones and eventually maim Nonhelema herself.
Throughout her inspiring life, she had many deep and complex relationships, including with her daughter, Fani, who was an adopted white captive . . . a pious and judgmental missionary, Zeisberger . . . a series of passionate lovers . . . and, in a stunning creation of the Thoms, Justin Case–a cowardly soldier transformed by the courage he saw in the female Indian leader.
Filled with the uncanny period detail and richly rendered drama that are Thom trademarks, Warrior Woman is a memorable novel of a remarkable person–one willing to fight to avoid war, by turns tough and tender, whose heart was too big for the world she wished to tame.
Her name was Nonhelema. Literate, lovely, imposing at over six feet tall, she was the Women’s Peace Chief of the Shawnee Nation–and already a legend when the most decisive decade of her life began in 1774. That fall, with more than three thousand Virginians poised to march into the Shawnees’ home, Nonhelema’s plea for peace was denied. So she loyally became a fighter, riding into battle covered in war paint. When the Indians ran low on ammunition, Nonhelema’s role changed back to peacemaker, this time tragically.
Negotiating an armistice with military leaders of the American Revolution like Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark, she found herself estranged from her own people–and betrayed by her white adversaries, who would murder her loved ones and eventually maim Nonhelema herself.
Throughout her inspiring life, she had many deep and complex relationships, including with her daughter, Fani, who was an adopted white captive . . . a pious and judgmental missionary, Zeisberger . . . a series of passionate lovers . . . and, in a stunning creation of the Thoms, Justin Case–a cowardly soldier transformed by the courage he saw in the female Indian leader.
Filled with the uncanny period detail and richly rendered drama that are Thom trademarks, Warrior Woman is a memorable novel of a remarkable person–one willing to fight to avoid war, by turns tough and tender, whose heart was too big for the world she wished to tame.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
131 people are currently reading
724 people want to read
About the author
James Alexander Thom
25 books412 followersJames Alexander Thom (born 1933) is an American author, most famous for his works in the Western genre. Born in Gosport, Indiana, he graduated from Butler University and served in the United States Marine Corps. He is a former professor of journalism at Indiana University, and a contributor to the The Saturday Evening Post. His fifth wife, Dark Rain Thom was a member of the Shawnee United Remnant Band until its dissolution; the Thoms presently live in the "Indiana hill country" near Bloomington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 7, 2009
A good book, particularly because he talks about two scouts sent out to warn the nearby settlements of an impending Indian attack. One of those scouts was Philip Hamman, my 4th great-grandfather, who was known as the Savior of Greenbrier. Nonhelema, called the Grenadier Squaw because of her size, helped to disguise "G-G-G-Grandpa Hamman" and his friend as Indians to get through to the settlements.
August 30, 2014
Being an amateur historian on Indian and American relations in the southwest particularly West Texas, my interest and passion is with the Comanche's, and some what to a smaller degree the Apache's and I am also interested in the Sioux especially Chief Crazy horse and the battle of the Little Big Horn. I am a guide and Docent participate at Ft. Concho in San Angelo, TX. I am also familiar with Chief Tecumseh and some of the history of the Indian and American history in the east part of the United States mid 1700's - late 1800's, but I was not familiar with the story of the Shawnee Woman Chief Nonhelema, till now, I found this book in a library sale and about five other books by James Alexander Thom and when I was looking for a fiction book to read about the west, I started looking at J. A. Thom books and found this book and started reading it. The greatest reward about historical history books is the ability to research the accuracy and to find out more on the truth on the subject matter. I found this book and the characterization of all the historical figures to be real and interesting and the research to be extensive and as accurate as can be about a character that has limited life documentation. I have always thought of the American Indian to be a noble and tragic people, and how they were treated was a criminal act upon them by the American Government and Anglo people. I am always ashamed to be of Anglo American race when I read history and historical fiction on the subject of American Indian history. This book met all my expectations on the portrayal of Nonhelema and the fate of the Shawnee nation. It was hard to read about the hoffific treatment and the injustices that were incurred on them by the American Government. It is hard to believe all that our nation has done to the American Indian and caused so much destruction and injustices. This is a must read and hopefully you research the subject matter in more depth.
June 17, 2009
What a Woman!!!
She knew William Penn, Simon Girty, Alexander McKee, George Rogers Clark,
Colonel Morgan, and Joshua Isaiah Case, along w/Cornstalk, her brother, Tecumseh and many others in the early years of this Nation.
Peace-maker, mother, and woman is what Nonhelema, "Grenedair Squaw" would want to be remembered.
Also what a hard look at U.S. History and our treatment of the natives. Even those who were praying Indians.
MUST READ!
She knew William Penn, Simon Girty, Alexander McKee, George Rogers Clark,
Colonel Morgan, and Joshua Isaiah Case, along w/Cornstalk, her brother, Tecumseh and many others in the early years of this Nation.
Peace-maker, mother, and woman is what Nonhelema, "Grenedair Squaw" would want to be remembered.
Also what a hard look at U.S. History and our treatment of the natives. Even those who were praying Indians.
MUST READ!
May 27, 2010
This definitely wasn't the Thom writing I'd gotten used to. Not sure if it was Dark Rain's writing with him, or what exactly. It was still a great story... just not writing with the enthralling style as usual.
August 27, 2025
There was a lot to like about this book, but also a bit I grew tired of reading about. I really appreciate the fact that Nonhelema was a Shawnee Indian Woman Chief who lived an incredibly interesting life in the late 1770's (born 1718, died 1786).
It was a tumultuous time for all Indian tribes as the white man continuously encroached westward, driving Indians from their homeland and exploiting their food sources, their sacred burial grounds, everything they needed to survive. It was a constant battle to protect their way of life, and of course, their very lives.
Nonhelema was set apart from many in her tribe because her parents had lived in Pennsylvania, where they had been friends with William Penn, a wealthy, prominent Quaker who advocated for peace between the white men and Indians. Nonhelema was educated and learned English, French, German, and was fluent in all the Indian languages of the area.
When her first husband died of smallpox (another weapon the white men used by distributing contaminated blankets to the Indians), Nonhelema became a prominent member of her tribe, a fellow chief alongside her brother Cornstalk. She was noted for her stunning beauty and stood over 6' tall, as did Cornstalk and her other siblings.
She advocated for peace between the Indians and the white men, attended peace treaty signings, and was known for speaking truth to power. She was invaluable as an interpreter, but her biggest downfall was believing the white men when they promised peace. She believed them when they spoke of boundaries they would not cross. She believed their "Christian values" would prevent them from the atrocities they committed on a never-ending campaign to rid the country of "savages".
She took first one lover, Richard Butler (a white man) with whom she had a child, Morgan, and later a second lover, Andrew McKee with whom she had another child, Tommy. She was a free and independent woman, but more and more of her fellow Shawnee tribe grew weary of her insistence on finding peace when they demanded war against the settlers and soldiers. And there was plenty of that to go around.
James Alexander Thom wrote this book along with his wife, Dark Rain Thom, a member of the Shawnee Nation, so I believe one can see her input throughout the book. I loved learning about the Shawnee traditions involving tribal dress, food gathering and preparation, spiritual customs, and so much more. They write beautifully about the land the Shawnee and so many tribes called "home".
But the book was long. 497 pages. It could have been easily shortened with fewer pages and paragraphs about Nonhelema's conflicting thoughts on religion. That got old. It was just a bit too much book for the storyline. I'm still glad I read it, but it may be a long time before I read the next two Thom paperbacks I bought several years ago. The first two I've read, "Follow the River" and "Panther in the Sky" (the life of Tecumseh) were much more engrossing and fast moving than this last.
So sorry to say, three stars instead of five.
It was a tumultuous time for all Indian tribes as the white man continuously encroached westward, driving Indians from their homeland and exploiting their food sources, their sacred burial grounds, everything they needed to survive. It was a constant battle to protect their way of life, and of course, their very lives.
Nonhelema was set apart from many in her tribe because her parents had lived in Pennsylvania, where they had been friends with William Penn, a wealthy, prominent Quaker who advocated for peace between the white men and Indians. Nonhelema was educated and learned English, French, German, and was fluent in all the Indian languages of the area.
When her first husband died of smallpox (another weapon the white men used by distributing contaminated blankets to the Indians), Nonhelema became a prominent member of her tribe, a fellow chief alongside her brother Cornstalk. She was noted for her stunning beauty and stood over 6' tall, as did Cornstalk and her other siblings.
She advocated for peace between the Indians and the white men, attended peace treaty signings, and was known for speaking truth to power. She was invaluable as an interpreter, but her biggest downfall was believing the white men when they promised peace. She believed them when they spoke of boundaries they would not cross. She believed their "Christian values" would prevent them from the atrocities they committed on a never-ending campaign to rid the country of "savages".
She took first one lover, Richard Butler (a white man) with whom she had a child, Morgan, and later a second lover, Andrew McKee with whom she had another child, Tommy. She was a free and independent woman, but more and more of her fellow Shawnee tribe grew weary of her insistence on finding peace when they demanded war against the settlers and soldiers. And there was plenty of that to go around.
James Alexander Thom wrote this book along with his wife, Dark Rain Thom, a member of the Shawnee Nation, so I believe one can see her input throughout the book. I loved learning about the Shawnee traditions involving tribal dress, food gathering and preparation, spiritual customs, and so much more. They write beautifully about the land the Shawnee and so many tribes called "home".
But the book was long. 497 pages. It could have been easily shortened with fewer pages and paragraphs about Nonhelema's conflicting thoughts on religion. That got old. It was just a bit too much book for the storyline. I'm still glad I read it, but it may be a long time before I read the next two Thom paperbacks I bought several years ago. The first two I've read, "Follow the River" and "Panther in the Sky" (the life of Tecumseh) were much more engrossing and fast moving than this last.
So sorry to say, three stars instead of five.
July 2, 2018
For its wealth of historical information, I suppose it deserves a 5, however, I just found myself wishing I was closer to the end of the 450 pages than I was every time I picked it up to read. It's not the first book I've read by this author, but is the first to have been co-written with his wife. Perhaps as others have suggested, that is why it didn't move along like a novel and read more like a non-fiction book. One will leave with an enlightened view of the real injustice suffered by the native Americans at the expense of the greed of those claiming to want what's "fair." I enjoyed Thom's Red Heart more, but do believe, in the end, it was worth the time invested.
July 20, 2019
Couldn't get into it, I ended up skimming over most of it. It just didn't click with me, it was just flat. I seem to have read a few of his other books like Follow the River and liking them but...
The subject is not the problem, an extraordinary woman living in extraordinary times. It just seemed, as I said, very flat. I can't think of a better word.
Maybe I'll move on to the books of his I've read before to see if I still like them.
Read this if you like historical novels, or if you like Native American literature, or if you like Ohio history.
The subject is not the problem, an extraordinary woman living in extraordinary times. It just seemed, as I said, very flat. I can't think of a better word.
Maybe I'll move on to the books of his I've read before to see if I still like them.
Read this if you like historical novels, or if you like Native American literature, or if you like Ohio history.
June 29, 2019
Well written historical fiction that makes you feel what the Ohio Company and organizations like it did to the Indians living in the Ohio Valley.
December 12, 2022
I have loved everybook by James A. Thom that I have read and this is no exception. Nonhelema also known as Grenadier Squaw was truly a brave woman. As Shawnee peace chief, she tries to keep her family and tribe out of war, but when the rest of the women choose war she fights. She tries to walk a fine line between her people and the whites, trying for decades to maintain peace, a peace that is constantly broken. She is treated badly by the Americans and rejected by her tribe because they no longer trust her. She lives through much of early Ohio history as the natives are constantly pushed further and further west and eventually comes to question and regret her choices.
March 5, 2025
Man white people were awful to the Native Americans.
March 9, 2017
Excellent book, adds to my growing knowledge of Native history, very well-researched and characters very believable only one critique being the changing focus of time going from close focus first person narrative to pulling up and suddenly your three years later, it happened more than once and was always a bit confusing when I read it but when your doing a biography covering a number of decades I guess that is unavoidable. Still one of the best native books I've read so far and I read a lot about Native culture.
August 9, 2014
I must agree with a few other reviewers by stating Thom's "Warrior Woman" is not nearly as good as some of his other novels. Realizing the story is told through Nonhelema's perspective, I still can't help think that the author waxes too immoderate when it comes to the whole time-worn "noble savage" motif - a theme quite prevalent throughout the book.
What's more, the novel's characterization of David Zeisberger was wrong, in my opinion. The author portrays the missionary as an overly pious authoritarian who shows little respect for his native disciples. Historically, Zeisberger was actually an ardent supporter of his Native American followers, and spent nearly 65 years of his life supporting their cause; in fact, when the massacre at Gnadenhutten occurred, Zeisberger was a British prisoner. The missionary had been encountering some conflict with British authorities over his advocacy of Natives' rights and his ongoing efforts to establish white and native Moravian communities in southern Ohio. When his relations with British authorities worsened during the American Revolutionary War, he was arrested in 1781 and held at Fort Detroit. Thom's novel, of course, mentions none of this.
One other thing - all through the story Nonhelema refers to herself as a "peacemaker"; and her fundamental purpose, her goal, is to achieve peace. That being said, I found the title of this book rather misleading.
What's more, the novel's characterization of David Zeisberger was wrong, in my opinion. The author portrays the missionary as an overly pious authoritarian who shows little respect for his native disciples. Historically, Zeisberger was actually an ardent supporter of his Native American followers, and spent nearly 65 years of his life supporting their cause; in fact, when the massacre at Gnadenhutten occurred, Zeisberger was a British prisoner. The missionary had been encountering some conflict with British authorities over his advocacy of Natives' rights and his ongoing efforts to establish white and native Moravian communities in southern Ohio. When his relations with British authorities worsened during the American Revolutionary War, he was arrested in 1781 and held at Fort Detroit. Thom's novel, of course, mentions none of this.
One other thing - all through the story Nonhelema refers to herself as a "peacemaker"; and her fundamental purpose, her goal, is to achieve peace. That being said, I found the title of this book rather misleading.
January 17, 2016
Recommended by my 7th grade reading teacher. The author is a distant relative of her husband. I always love NA stories & the incredible wisdom they had. Powerful story about a wise woman in the time of colonial advancement against the natives. Sequel to Follow the River, which I enjoyed more.
Merged review:
Recommended by my 7th grade reading teacher. The author is a distant relative of her husband. I always love NA stories & the incredible wisdom they had. Powerful story about a wise woman in the time of colonial advancement against the natives. Sequel to Follow the River, which I enjoyed more.
Merged review:
Recommended by my 7th grade reading teacher. The author is a distant relative of her husband. I always love NA stories & the incredible wisdom they had. Powerful story about a wise woman in the time of colonial advancement against the natives. Sequel to Follow the River, which I enjoyed more.
March 17, 2008
I really enjoyed this book and gaining insight into the indian people. They are truly a fascinating people. This book is about a female Shawnee chief indian who tries to make peace with the white people. She is very honest in her dealings however, the white people conive and manipulate the indians in order to remove them from their land.
I have read other books by this author and really enjoy his writing and the research he has done. I recommend this author to anyone interested in learning more about the indian culture.
I have read other books by this author and really enjoy his writing and the research he has done. I recommend this author to anyone interested in learning more about the indian culture.
August 15, 2014
This book broke my heart so many times, I was exhausted when it was over. I have read a few other books written by James Alexander Thom and his attention to detail and (sometimes tedious) historical information is absolutely amazing. Nonhelema was an extraordinary leader, although her giant heart and love for all people was of course taken advantage of so many times.
It is always refreshing to learn about another strong woman in history, especially one who lived in the Ohio Valley where I was also born.
It is always refreshing to learn about another strong woman in history, especially one who lived in the Ohio Valley where I was also born.
June 20, 2015
The only bad thing about great historical fiction like this is being left wanting to believe it all, even down to a person's most private thoughts and emotions. The history and the voice of Nonehelema, "queen of the Shawnee," has left me both shaken and strengthened. And how ironic that after years of holding on to this book in Wyoming, I have only just now read it-- having moved to Shawnee Township, Ohio. I look around now with new eyes.
August 24, 2008
Excellent. Read it while traveling and stopped to visit her fort @ Fort Pleasant, Ohio. It was fun to talk to the interpreters there who knew all about her. Excellent addition to Thom's "best" list.
July 17, 2020
Very very good
This novel is an impressive read. It took me several days to read because I enjoyed every single word. I'm looking forward to reading more books by these authors, and possibly any of there recommendations.
This novel is an impressive read. It took me several days to read because I enjoyed every single word. I'm looking forward to reading more books by these authors, and possibly any of there recommendations.
August 8, 2008
This was the book that got me started with this author. Wonderfully written from the indian perspective.
January 22, 2009
fantastic book and loved the strong woman character and how females are the main teachers of life.
January 9, 2017
I am fascinated by Native American culture and history so I read about it. Nonhelma is an amazing woman and I loved learning about her but this was a boring book.
April 15, 2025
This book was non-stop. Even though the storyline only covers maybe 15 years of Nonhelema's life, it feels like this women lived 20 lifetimes in one. The ups and downs were gut-wrenching. There's about three events in the books that absolutely ripped my heart out. I was so in shock and so heartsick that I had to take a nap just to recover. And knowing that these events actually took place (it's historical fiction) made it infinitely more impactful.
Just from a historical perspective, the book is educational and edifying. My brain was constantly throbbing from all the historical and cultural information I was taking in. Nonhelema's story ignited me on all fronts: enriching my intellect, sparking my passion and humanity, inspiring me, appalling me. A real roller coaster.
Nonhelelma's character was well fleshed out. The authors achieved a perfect balance portraying her two sides: her flawed human nature and her superhuman strength.
Excellent writing overall. Highly recommend. This was my first Thom book. I will definitely be reading more from him.
Just from a historical perspective, the book is educational and edifying. My brain was constantly throbbing from all the historical and cultural information I was taking in. Nonhelema's story ignited me on all fronts: enriching my intellect, sparking my passion and humanity, inspiring me, appalling me. A real roller coaster.
Nonhelelma's character was well fleshed out. The authors achieved a perfect balance portraying her two sides: her flawed human nature and her superhuman strength.
Excellent writing overall. Highly recommend. This was my first Thom book. I will definitely be reading more from him.
April 15, 2020
Nonhelema was a Shawnee woman’s peace chief who was revered by native and white people alike. Born in the 1700’s she was a Christian convert and tried to live her life as a peacemaker between the whites and Indians. In doing so, she lost face with many of her tribe and was lied to and used by the white men. I don’t know how much of this book is based on fact and how much the author took liberties with, but most of the truth is probably lost with history. We do know she was a striking figure, six feet tall, sister of Cornstalk and fought in battle when she was needed.
James Alexander Thom has long been one of my favorite authors, but this book he wrote with his wife. I don’t know if that made a difference, but it is not my favorite of his books. Still, it is worth 4 stars. I took off one star because the first third of the book seemed a little long and repetitive. It was interesting look at a native woman whom I would love to learn more about.
James Alexander Thom has long been one of my favorite authors, but this book he wrote with his wife. I don’t know if that made a difference, but it is not my favorite of his books. Still, it is worth 4 stars. I took off one star because the first third of the book seemed a little long and repetitive. It was interesting look at a native woman whom I would love to learn more about.
August 31, 2019
This was a difficult story to read hence almost a year from start to finish. One brave Indian woman’s dedication to peacemaking while she & her tribe were being decimated by British & American generals .
The part I enjoyed was about her spirituality, attempts at conversion to Christianity & her ability to see through the guilt.
The part I enjoyed was about her spirituality, attempts at conversion to Christianity & her ability to see through the guilt.
December 2, 2023
The Thoms feature a woman Shawnee chief who is very surprised that white men don't treat white women as equals. Some things don't change! The Indians were distressed that the white men came to their territory, cut down all the trees and killed all the game. That was in the 1770s and happened for many years afterwards and we are now paying the price.
November 19, 2016
Greatly enjoy this author's works of historical fiction - my all time favorite was, however, "Follow the River"... loved this story of Nonhelema, Warrior, Peacekeeper, Chief - American history is indeed bittersweet...
November 26, 2018
This book got better and better with each page. I discovered that most of thee events actually happened and that this Shawnee queen was a person in real life. I highly recommend this book.
March 8, 2019
Dark Rain Thom is not Shawnee and has no connection to any not fake indigenous community. The author is pretending to be Shawnee to sell you stuff. Please stay away.
Read
February 5, 2020Didn’t get past the first few pages. Too dialogue-heavy and I lost interest.
November 1, 2020
Very suspenseful
As I read I could see her in my minds eye. She appeared remember
As I read I could picture her in my minds eye. She appears to be an amaze woman.
As I read I could see her in my minds eye. She appeared remember
As I read I could picture her in my minds eye. She appears to be an amaze woman.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews