Panther in the Sky: A Novel based on the life of Tecumseh

by James Alexander Thom

Book Overview

" Thom shows how, in honest, capable hands, fictionalized biography can add verisimilitude to the life and times of this extraordinary America....The dialogue has the ring of reality about it....Thom... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345366387
• Release Date: February 1990
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 684 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 1.5" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Superb!

Panther In The Sky is historical fiction at its absolute finest. It details the life and times of the famous Shawnee war chief in a compelling and realistic fashion. The descriptions of the native American way of life, spirituality and bloody battles with the encroaching white man are riviting. This is an epic that I found impossible to put down. This was my first Thom book--I intend to read all of his work. A truly great book.

I found this book in high school..

and was late for many a class because I was so engrossed that I failed to hear the bell go off! I was taken by suprise when I got to the end, I hadn't noticed how fast the pages went by.Loaded with historical facts but never gets the feel of a textbook, and gives us a vivid picture of the "backstory" of history, the little but important details that don't get into the textbooks.

The great American novel?

I have read extensively on the life of Tecumseh and this is the defintive novel. I feel it is best to read last, or reread once one feels he or she understands the settling of the Northwest. It takes knowledge to respct this novel. This is the book that tells the tale of Tecumseh, but one must understand the tale of Tecumseh before one appreciates this book. Thom is a thoughtful and dedicated writer. Outstanding.

The Best Fictional (?) Biography Ever!

I first read this book ten years ago, at the age of twelve. On average, I read it or another of Thom's books every year. What is wondeful about this particular one is the incredible amount of research he put into a "fictional" piece. As a member of the present-day Shawnee Nation United Remnant Band, I know firsthand how he studied with our chief and our elders and also pored over every piece of written history that he could get his hands on. Thus, though it is a fictionalized account of Tecumseh's life, it is very accurate in the events it describes, as well as the language, customs and costumes of the Shawnee. On top of all that, it is a wonderful story, told by a master. As a future high school history teacher, I plan to make parts of it required reading in American History class. Don't pass up this book!

magnificent!

Truly a work of art in literature format. Thom brings the Shawnee Nation to life again as it once was and evokes great feeling through his work, which has a depth of its own, almost unparalleled. He is a master at his particular craft. The thing which depressed me most about this book besides reading of the destruction of The People in seemingly all too vivid detail, was the fact that i think i shall never read a better book, for this would be hard to top. Understand though that i am a great admirer of Tecumseh, so bias may come into play. But also understand that being as i am, such works would endure intense scutiny, as this book has, and yet from me, it receives nothing but praise. Too often, i have witnessed history butchered by those unskilled in its telling, but Thom has shown through his work that he is truly a student of the past and is the teacher when it comes to its portrayal. 5+ stars!