Among The Wild [Kindle Edition]

Carl Pettit (Author)

Book Description

Noah Adair is a 13-year-old boy orphaned on the Oregon Trail in the late 1840s. After his parents die in a flood, his aunt rejects him in favor of his little brother, while his venomous uncle takes to beating him. Noah is very much alone in a world he doesn’t really understand. When he discovers that his life is in danger, he flees into the wilds on a stolen horse. After hiding out in the desert, he decides to track down the remnants of his family and rescue his brother from his uncle’s malicious intent. Noah has to deal with starvation and thirst, indigenous populations both friendly and hostile, wayward Mennonites seeking out a new home, as well as a dogged assassin on his trail. His faith in the dreams of his family has broken apart, but he discovers, through many arduous trials and a fair amount of violence, that he is capable of enduring the most appalling hardships without losing his passion for life.

Product Details

• File Size: 475 KB
• Print Length: 206 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0080Z6LLE
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,508 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #3 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Westerns > Pioneer

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Harsh Life of an Abandoned Child: Recreating the Oregon Trail July 20, 2012

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

As Carl Pettit opens his introduction to this book, `AMONG THE WILD takes place in the Oregon Territory in the late 1840s, when people of European descent had only just begun to make a noticeable den on this vast and sparsely populated land.....The event at the Whitman Mission was a real place...the dark episode that takes place there did really happen.' And form that provocative prelude Pettit takes us through that historical period as viewed through the eyes of a teenaged Noah Adair - an orphaned child whose abuse by his extended family drives him to escape and witness the horrors an the spectacle of the now famous Oregon Trail.

Pettit's writing style is infectious. He keeps the technique simple and the story thrives from this decision. Yes, there are wondrous descriptions of the natural beauties of the countryside, but they never stray away from the running line of the adventure - they only embellish it. And perhaps it is this handling of the natural aspects of the Oregon Trail that underlines the ability of Noah to not only endure but to grow emotionally into an adult who views life and its unusual natural magnificence with a deeper sense of growth and maturity than we could expect.

This is a fine mixture of historical writing and story construct that stands well in comparison to other authors who attempt to embrace this genre. Grady Harp, July 12

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read & moving story May 11, 2012

By CE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed reading Among The Wild. The author's direct approach to writing made the story move along at a good pace, yet the slow unfolding of the characters' background stories keeps readers intrigued as to what secrets these characters are hiding. The reader instantly takes a liking to the main character Noah Adair. The book follows Noah's quest to avenge his parents through Oregon. But the book is not just a tale of revenge. It is also a tale of growth towards adulthood, which is something everyone can relate to. Although a book of fiction, there are some parts based on some real facts, which coupled with the sincere, and extremely lovely prose, makes us forget that this is just a story. Readers should be warned that there is some hard violence in the story, but even those passages are beautifully written. Packed with action and twists from the very first pages, it is hard to put this book down once you start reading it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read May 12, 2012

By loslednprg

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This fast-paced story follows Noah on his gripping journey of survival and maturity through the harsh conditions of the old Oregon Territory. Orphaned and outcast, Noah must find his way without losing himself.

A complex and moving tale, detailed scenes are laid down in flowing wording, painting a convincing picture of existence in the untamed West of the mid-19th century. The plot is full of the unexpected, keeping the reader entertained and surprised throughout, leaving us not only thoroughly satisfied but also with some haunting memories.

As a fan of historical fiction, I was engrossed in the compellingly written story and captivated by the vivid imagery and breadth of interesting characters included. You should read this.

More About the Author

Carl Pettit is an American columnist, writer, musician and illustrator. He writes for an array of colorful publications, and also finds time to produce a fair amount of fiction for adults and children. Education and work, plus good old-fashioned curiosity have taken him all over the world. He's lived in China, the Czech Republic, England, Korea and Portugal, and has traveled to dozens of more countries to boot. When not writing or working on his very rusty drawing technique, he's most likely planning his next adventure, or out to dinner with friends.