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Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya
" Where can we go that you will not follow us? Where can we make homes that you will not find and burn?" Ahwahneechees lived for generations in the secluded valley of Ahwahnee, living in tranquility with their homeland, cared for and nurtured by the Great Spirit. All this is about to change. 1849 and the discovery of Gold. Suddenly their lives are shattered by hostilities of White settlers sweeping through their land during the California Gold Rush, forcing them into a future they do not want.Left without a choice, their Chief, Tenaya, sets out to protect his family, people and preserve their way of life. Murders, betrayals and depravations lead to war. Building on true historical events, this illustrated novel spins an unforgettable tale of family love, spirituality and, ultimately, loss. A cornucopia of historical and fictional storytelling, re-living the extraordinary struggle of the Native Americans living in Yosemite Valley, courageously trying to hang on to their heritage and culture against all the odds. Can they cling on to everything they hold dear?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2020
9 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Paul Edmondson
1 book6 followersPaul Edmondson was born in Salford, England and now lives in Waterford, Ireland.
He is a founding member of the Waterford Writers group and his poems have appeared in an anthology of Waterford Writers, in Déise Voices, regional newspapers and magazines. His photographic works have appeared on national television, national and regional newspapers.
Having traveled to every continent through his working life, it was visiting Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas for pleasure that gave him the inspiration and motivation to study the history of the park and its indigenous populations, leading to the writing of Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya.
He is a founding member of the Waterford Writers group and his poems have appeared in an anthology of Waterford Writers, in Déise Voices, regional newspapers and magazines. His photographic works have appeared on national television, national and regional newspapers.
Having traveled to every continent through his working life, it was visiting Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas for pleasure that gave him the inspiration and motivation to study the history of the park and its indigenous populations, leading to the writing of Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 4, 2020
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Native America history.
Although the story line is fiction it is based on so many sad facts in the history of these proud people.
Paul writes beautifully with such rich colour in his words, his poetry and his stunning photos of Yosemite.
Well done !
Although the story line is fiction it is based on so many sad facts in the history of these proud people.
Paul writes beautifully with such rich colour in his words, his poetry and his stunning photos of Yosemite.
Well done !
July 10, 2020
Historically correct fiction based on a Native American tribe and the oppression and theft of their lands in Yosemite national park during the gold rush. The author really conveys the sentiment and tension of the time.You can almost touch taste and smell the great spirit of the people and land which is so uplifting even in such heartbreaking circumstances. Money well spent!
June 16, 2020
Spirits Never Die
A Review of Paul Edmondson's "Great Spirit of Yosemite; The Story of Chief Tenaya" by Vincent J. Tomeo, novelist, poet, historian
Mr. Tomeo did not know this story. Paul Edmondson takes one backstage behind the curtained valleys, mountains, streams, stunning, natural backdrop, and beauty of Yosemite National Park, and narrates a saga of Chief Tenaya’s last stand against all the odds. The untold story is a struggle expressed in prose, poetry, and photography. Against such an extraordinary landscape, one learns of the suffering and struggle of the native people.
This epic narrative journey tells us of the very fabric of this valley, and like a river, the natives flowed. Their past is always with us as it proceeds like a river, and never ends. The river is a road, a ceremonial refuge of millennial people who only wanted to live in their land, off the land, on the land, from the land in harmony and peace.
Gold, greed, pandemic, violence, war, and desolation would end all that. Although this indigenous group forcibly removed from this valley, their spirit will live.
The photographs are stunning, spectacular, and astonishing, and the poetry is absorbing. One will not be disappointed.
One will feel in their mind and soul for these noble people, long after one reads and places this stunning book on a shelf. Take this journey, empathize and long for justice overdue.
A Review of Paul Edmondson's "Great Spirit of Yosemite; The Story of Chief Tenaya" by Vincent J. Tomeo, novelist, poet, historian
Mr. Tomeo did not know this story. Paul Edmondson takes one backstage behind the curtained valleys, mountains, streams, stunning, natural backdrop, and beauty of Yosemite National Park, and narrates a saga of Chief Tenaya’s last stand against all the odds. The untold story is a struggle expressed in prose, poetry, and photography. Against such an extraordinary landscape, one learns of the suffering and struggle of the native people.
This epic narrative journey tells us of the very fabric of this valley, and like a river, the natives flowed. Their past is always with us as it proceeds like a river, and never ends. The river is a road, a ceremonial refuge of millennial people who only wanted to live in their land, off the land, on the land, from the land in harmony and peace.
Gold, greed, pandemic, violence, war, and desolation would end all that. Although this indigenous group forcibly removed from this valley, their spirit will live.
The photographs are stunning, spectacular, and astonishing, and the poetry is absorbing. One will not be disappointed.
One will feel in their mind and soul for these noble people, long after one reads and places this stunning book on a shelf. Take this journey, empathize and long for justice overdue.
July 10, 2020
Wonderful descriptive narrative flows through this book, consisting of a mixture of fiction and well sourced historical fact. Through prose and poetry and the authors exquisite photography, the reader is transported back to the time of The Gold Rush and the terrible plight suffered by the indigenous settlers of Yosemite. A truly engaging and brilliant read!
June 17, 2020
A beautiful read combining prose, poetry and great photography!
June 28, 2020
I am one of these people who reads a bit of a book and then skips to the end, but I didn't want this book to end. I devoured every word. The imagery, the poetry, the language transported me back to a story of 1840's Californian conquest of the Native people of what is now Yosemite. The story is primarily about Chief Tenaya who is chief of his people. His fight to keep his ancestral lands in the Valley was doomed to failure, but the author walks us through the story so that you feel that just this once there can be a happy ending. One hero that does endure is the valley itself. The the descriptive writing is a masterclass.
The story is told without sentimentality and is nonjudgemental. It never seeks to blame either side. The book is unusual in that it is scolarly and at the same time accessable to the ordinary reader.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves good literature or has an interest in what happens where greed blinds us to the consequences of out actions.
The story is told without sentimentality and is nonjudgemental. It never seeks to blame either side. The book is unusual in that it is scolarly and at the same time accessable to the ordinary reader.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves good literature or has an interest in what happens where greed blinds us to the consequences of out actions.
August 10, 2020
This fine book of Edmondson's tells anew of the culture clash between white American settlers and the Native Americans who occupied the land for millennia prior to white settlement. But it's not a re-warmed version of "white might wins;" instead, the author lives within the mind and heart of Tenaya, chief of the Ahwahneechee Indians, settled in the California mountains. His foil here is, for the most part, one James D. Savage, who has lived among the various tribal groups long enough to understand their languages and ways, but who is given to trading and cattle raising.
Whites begin to encroach on Ahwahneechee territory, and war ensues - the Maricopa Indian War of 1850-51. Edmondson follows the tracks of this conflict, never leaving Tenaya's emotional side. He alternates a skilled and passionate prosaic view of Tenaya's loyalty to his people, his sly ways with Savage and other whites, with superbly written poetic paeans to Tenaya and his tribe. As such,the book has the feel of George Keithley's poetic opus, "The Donner Party." "Great Spirit of Yosemite" will no doubt add value to this canon of the white push westward, and the inevitable ceding of Native American homelands to them. It's a powerful closeup of both sides of this particular conflict and should be read and appreciated widely.
Whites begin to encroach on Ahwahneechee territory, and war ensues - the Maricopa Indian War of 1850-51. Edmondson follows the tracks of this conflict, never leaving Tenaya's emotional side. He alternates a skilled and passionate prosaic view of Tenaya's loyalty to his people, his sly ways with Savage and other whites, with superbly written poetic paeans to Tenaya and his tribe. As such,the book has the feel of George Keithley's poetic opus, "The Donner Party." "Great Spirit of Yosemite" will no doubt add value to this canon of the white push westward, and the inevitable ceding of Native American homelands to them. It's a powerful closeup of both sides of this particular conflict and should be read and appreciated widely.
June 5, 2020
The Great Spirit of Yosemite effortlessly transports us back in time to witness at first hand the sad ending of an ancient civilisation, amid the background of one of the most beautiful areas in the world. Through meticulous research the author weaves a story of the plight of Chief Tenaya and his tribe as they try in vain to cling to their heritage in the face of the greed of the Californian Gold Rush. This is not “Hollywood history” but real history, gripping stuff indeed. The story is further supplemented by the inclusion of the authors stunning photographs and appropriate poetry.
Sadly the story of the Ahwahnee tribe and indigenous tribes has been replicated in so many countries throughout history. This book helps keep the spirit of these tribes alive today and is a book I would recommend to anyone interested in history as it really happened. Beautifully crafted fiction with a very accurate historical backdrop. At times it is hard to believe that it is indeed fiction. Well done on keeping such a balance and remaining faithful to the real history.
Well done Paul.
Sadly the story of the Ahwahnee tribe and indigenous tribes has been replicated in so many countries throughout history. This book helps keep the spirit of these tribes alive today and is a book I would recommend to anyone interested in history as it really happened. Beautifully crafted fiction with a very accurate historical backdrop. At times it is hard to believe that it is indeed fiction. Well done on keeping such a balance and remaining faithful to the real history.
Well done Paul.
June 4, 2020
A book you cant’t put down, but have to because you don’t want the story to end!
I have never been to Yosemite, but this book is certainly a must read for anyone who ever wants to visit this place. Even if you don’t plan to go its a story not to be missed. It tells enchanting tales wrapped in rich descriptions that bring your mind back over 100 years to the California Gold Rush and the lives of the great tribes of the Native Indians of Yosemite Valley. The book sets the scene beautifully mingling fact with fiction for an intense tale that makes it a page turner. This book will give any visitor to Yosemite a new perspective of the valley, one that is beauty hides a past told in this story.
I have never been to Yosemite, but this book is certainly a must read for anyone who ever wants to visit this place. Even if you don’t plan to go its a story not to be missed. It tells enchanting tales wrapped in rich descriptions that bring your mind back over 100 years to the California Gold Rush and the lives of the great tribes of the Native Indians of Yosemite Valley. The book sets the scene beautifully mingling fact with fiction for an intense tale that makes it a page turner. This book will give any visitor to Yosemite a new perspective of the valley, one that is beauty hides a past told in this story.
June 22, 2020
Set in a natural backdrop of mountains capturing the Indian way of life. The Story of Chief Tenya is a refreshing insight of historical events interwoven with a skilfully written story. Most books tend focus on tales of new settlers whereas The Story of Chief Tenya offers an awareness of tribal life, resulting in being both an educational and compelling read. We learn of the sacrifices Indians were forced to endure as their heritage was threatened by greed and violence. The book not only offers literary insight but is also filled with beautiful photographs. A fantastic and beautifully written novel which I highly recommend reading.
July 12, 2020
Beautifully written with an amazing historical context.
This is a stunning piece of writing that uses beautifully descriptive language to create an amazing narrative that will transport the reader to time of the Gold Rush and 1840/50’s California and Yosemite, with extensive well researched historical context and stunning photography. Combining a beautifully constructed narrative with tender thoughtful poetry and amazing photography that is a fantastic read that I would highly recommend. A stunning debut publication from a brilliant writer.
This is a stunning piece of writing that uses beautifully descriptive language to create an amazing narrative that will transport the reader to time of the Gold Rush and 1840/50’s California and Yosemite, with extensive well researched historical context and stunning photography. Combining a beautifully constructed narrative with tender thoughtful poetry and amazing photography that is a fantastic read that I would highly recommend. A stunning debut publication from a brilliant writer.
July 25, 2020
Couldn’t put this one down - fantastic storytelling!
July 26, 2020
An absolutely brilliant read. Wonderful storytelling and very descriptive. I couldn't put this one down. Would recommend to anyone with an interest in native American history
July 26, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great read
July 28, 2020
Absolutely fantastic book. Highly recommend 👌
October 11, 2022
Author Commentary: I was motivated to write this historical fiction after spending some time photographing Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada during two vacations. I became enthralled by the history of Yosemite and its people. This led to my interest and subsequent research into the origins of the park, its indigenous inhabitants, their way of life, and their fate. This Native American novel is set in Yosemite National Park and around Mono Lake during the Mariposa War of 1850/51, which was at the time of the California Gold Rush.
From an interview:
“I do not think I could have completed this book without an enormous and deep feeling of respect for the Ahwahneechee people, their way of life, and the tragic fate that befell them at the hands of the white settlers who invaded their lands”
From an interview:
“I do not think I could have completed this book without an enormous and deep feeling of respect for the Ahwahneechee people, their way of life, and the tragic fate that befell them at the hands of the white settlers who invaded their lands”
February 15, 2026
This book was a scholarly, concise account of the Yosemite Valley Native American plight during the 1850's. Well researched with lots of documentation. A sad story and hard to read at times. I learned the true narrative about the history of the beautiful valley. Well written account.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews