Follow the River [Mass Market Paperback]

JAMES ALEXANDER Thom (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 12, 1986

Mary Ingles was twenty-three, married, and pregnant, when Shawnee Indians invaded her peaceful Virginia settlement, killed the men and women, then took her captive. For months, she lived with them, unbroken, until she escaped, and followed a thousand mile trail to freedom--an extraordinary story of a pioneer woman who risked her life to return to her people.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Mary Ingles was twenty-three, married, and pregnant, when Shawnee Indians invaded her peaceful Virginia settlement, killed the men and women, then took her captive. For months, she lived with them, unbroken, until she escaped, and followed a thousand mile trail to freedom--an extraordinary story of a pioneer woman who risked her life to return to her people.

About the Author

James Alexander Thom was a U.S. Marine, a newspaper and magazine editor, and a member of the faculty at the Indiana University Journalism School. He is the acclaimed author of Long Knife, From Sea to Shining Sea, The Children of First Man, The Red Heart, Sign-Talker, and Panther in the Sky, for which he won the prestigious Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Historical Novel. He lives in the Indiana hill country near Bloomington with his wife, Dark Rain, of the Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band. David Drummond has made his living as an actor for over twenty-five years, appearing on stages large and small throughout the country and in Seattle, Washington, his hometown. He has narrated over thirty audiobooks for Tantor, in genres ranging from current political commentary to historical nonfiction, from fantasy to military, and from thrillers to humor. He received an AudioFile Earphones Award for his first audiobook, Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay. When not narrating, David keeps busy writing plays and stories for children.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (November 12, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345338545
• ISBN-13: 978-0345338549
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (245 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Alexander Thom is the author of Follow the River, Long Knife, From Sea to Shining Sea, Panther in the Sky (for which he won the prestigious Western Writers of America Spur Award for best historical novel), Sign-Talker, The Children of First Man, and The Red Heart.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 104 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating February 26, 2002

By J. Daily VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A great docu/drama. Thom did an incredible job "filling in" the details if you will, of Ingles incredible story. Something that few, if none of us can relate to these days. This one had actually slipped under the radar until my wife pointed it out to me, as it was not required reading where I went to school. But I feel that I appreciate it even more now than I would have then.

A warning though, much of it is quite gruesome, and it does not portray Indians in a soft, "lets make white people feel ashamed for what they did " modern manner. It sheds light into certain savagery committed by Indians that is not heard much in the days of political correctness and bending over backwards to appease. Parts of this book are very disturbing and very,very brutal.

But I think this "punch in the face" style of not holding anything back is the beauty of the book. It presents the story as it happened, stripped bare for all to see. You will appreciate the hardship.

90 of 93 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping May 23, 2001

By Thelma C. Johnson

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Thom has fictionalized a true story with such powerful description that one forgets the fact that most of the details are imagined. They are, however, totally believable, and even though the reader knows the ending (she finally makes it home), the book is difficult to put down. Every footstep of the journey is vivid. The author also manages to portray the Indians as human beings in spite of the gory details of the massacre. Mary Ingles was a fourth great-grandmother of a friend of mine, and this makes the book more immediate for me. My own great-great grandfather was survivor of a Shawnee massacre in the same area 20 years later. I am astounded at the courage and endurance of these brave people who were our forebears. As a writer, I was amazed at how many different ways Thom describes weather, terrain, pain, and terror. Mary's decision to give up her baby to the Indian girl was a selfless, practical act, and her mental and emotional strength kept her from descending into a morass of romantic, sentimental, blubbering guilt. This book should be required in American history courses as adjunct reading material. It tells us what a history book cannot--the human side of the early development of this country.

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Follow the River is the best survival book I've read. December 1, 1997

By Joe Conlon

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I've read this book three times and teach it to my twelfth grade English classes. Mary Ingles is an inspiration of the possibilities of endurance of the human spirit. Victim of a brutal Shawnee attack in the summer of 1755 she is force marched from Virginia to Shawnee, Ohio while nine months pregnant giving birth on the trail. She is sold into slavery and taked to the area near Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky. Together with an old Dutch woman she escapes and begins a 1,000 mile trek home through unknown and hostile wilderness. In 43 harrowing days she goes from 125 pounds to under 80 pounds as she faces the elements, starvation, wild animals, hostile Indians, implacable nature, and a companion that turns cannibal. The reader shares the agony of the journey with Mary as she must go the final miles on her hands and knees. The most amazing thing about the story is it is true. Like his other historical novels Thom has done his research and he makes the history come alive for his reader.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear your schedule before starting to read it! April 12, 2000

By Michelle Bowden

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I couldn't rest until I finished this book! Mary Ingles went through an amazing ordeal. I was so involved in the story that I could hardly think of anything else for days. I felt like I was there with her, and I know I wouldn't have been strong enough to do the things she did.

I know this book has changed my life for good. Often when I think my life is hard, I remember Mary, and I realize that I have it pretty good.

I would definitely NOT recommend this book for children. It has some very disturbing and graphic themes.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for the weak at heart.... April 24, 2002

By Deborah L. Woodstuff VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

As a West Virginia resident and one that lives near the Ohio river, I find myself thinking about Mary and her journey home. I find myself wondering what the river looked like to her. This is a fantastic book. I have passed this book on to several people and they all tell me that they can not put it down.
If you read this book you will find yourself asking, "what is going to happen next".
What is so remarkable is that this is a true story. I found myself crying when Mary left her newborn baby behind. The perils she and Gretel endure are unbelievable. I would hope that I would be able to persevere as she did in such trying times. I don't think a man could have done any better.
West Virginia history classes need to teach about this wonderful women and not focus so much on learning the counties. I could not believe that this story takes place in our beautiful state and had never even heard of this woman.
The Hallmark channel showed a TV movie based on the book but played lightly on the hardships and was not a true adaptation of the book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Tale... December 10, 1999

By Wendy N.

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I have rafted parts of the New River and have witnessed how unforgiving the terrain can be. I have also hiked areas similiar to those described as part of Mrs. Ingles' journey. I know how challenging hiking in region can be with the proper modern equiptment, maps and adequate food. The author's descriptions of the wilderness were very accurate. I felt as if I were walking right along with Mary. It may sound like a cliche but I could feel her pain. The author used many vivid images that may not be for the faint of heart but for anyone who love stories about the true strength of the human spirit. This book is definitely for you.