Customer Reviews

Long Knife

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Great historical novel revolving around Colonel George Rogers Clark and his famous expedition to take the Northwest Territory from the British during the Revoltuion. This book combines history and adventure with the result being a novel that blows away any dry history textbook like a frontier rifleman at a turkey shoot. Thom brings us back to a forgotten chapter of the American Revolution as a group of desperate Virginians and Kentuckians launch a daring attempt to end the bloody border raids by the Ohio Indians. Their ultimate goal is the capture of a number of British held forts throughout the Ohio Country thereby breaking British power and influence in their wartorn land forever. This is an exciting book that I would highly recommend.

Now this is great historical fiction. After you finish racing through this book, it will stay in your mind forever. George Rogers Clark was a humane adventurer/soldier, one of young America's best in every way. In addition to painting him clearly, Mr. Thom succeeds in portraying the entire astounding accomplishment of Clark's forces in a way that will make your jaw drop. These people really did do these things! A great book.

I read this book years ago, but the story of George Rogers Clark has stayed with me. Thom is one of those rare authors that can paint pictures with his masterful weaving of words. A fictional presentation of a real-life hero, a man who accomplished amazing things and lived and outstanding life - and he is one that has long been overshadowed in the history books to a degree by his younger brother's feats (William Clark, famed adventurer of the Lewis & Clark team).

Thom has done a superb job of showcasing George Rogers Clark in this book. It's an outstanding read and could well set the reader on an adventure for more historical fiction from this fine author. Be sure to check out 'From Sea to Shining Sea' as well.

This was a great story - especially since it is true. George Rogers Clark was an amazing man. After reading this book you too will have a great respect for him. Mr. Thom writes beautifully and keeps to the facts. I would like to see more books written about George Rogers Clark. Mr. Thom please give us more!

I believe this was Alexander Thom's first novel, and it certainly reads like a first time effort. It's not half as good as his later works like "Follow the River" or "The Red Heart." In "Long Knife" Thom recounts Patriot George Rogers Clarke's epic march during the Revolutionary War to destroy British power on the western frontier. Thom is only partly successful in relaying this powerful tale into a moving work of fiction. The weakest element is a cliched and poorly developed romantic subplot involving Clarke and a Spanish commandant's sister. Pretty amateurish stuff. However, the strength of the novel is, of course, Clarke's army's 240 mile epic winter march, including long stretches through icy waist-deep water, to attack the British fort at Vincennes. It's here where Thom really shines bringing immense detail to the agony and fatigue faced by those men. (It's actually very reminiscent of Kenneth Roberts' description in his terrific novel "Northwest Passage" of a similar march by the famed Robert Rogers and his Rangers during the French and Indian War.) Unfortunately, Clarke's march is just a small part of the book and, although it's historical fiction writing at its best, it does not completely atone for the weak parts of "Long Knife."

I would recommend this book to Revolutionary War buffs and Alexander Thom fans. However, if you're new to Alexander Thom then I would recommend you check out some of his later books before reading "Long Knife," his first attempt at a historical novel.

This is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. It's a poignant story about one of the greatest heros in American history. Tears came to my eyes many times as I read this book. It certainly reinforced my appreciation for those who have fought to preserve our freedom. Simply put, James Alexander Thom is one of the best novelists living today.

What an incredible tale! Most people focus on the campaigns east of the Appalachain Mountains when it comes to the Revoultionary War...but very few are aware of the details of the campaign by George Rogers Clark to take the Nowrthwest Territory west of the mountains.

And nobody tells such a tale better than Thom.

Despite recruiting a far smaller force than desired, George Rogers Clark set out to do the impossible, displace the French, to defeat far superior British forces, defeat or pacify far superior numbers of Indians, to control as big as the thirteen colonies...and to succeed with less than 200 men.

This is a story of the classic American spirit overcoming all odds to win for liberty. Sadly, it is also a tragic tale about how a true American hero was forgotten by the country that should have hailed him alongside Washington in so many ways.

If you are interested in American history, and want to read a finely researched piece of that history presented in as compelling a fashion...read Long Knife.

this story shows how the efforts of "george rogers clark" contributed to the growth of this country. we are used to hearing about the exploits of the revolutionary war but not often do we get a chance to know what was going on in the northwest territory. this is one of the best books i have ever read that covers how important a part was played by what was happening there. i recommend this book as an excellent read and most informative.

This is the second book I've read by James Alexander Thom. I love the way this author writes. Like the first book that I read, Follow The River, this book pulled me in and I couldn't wait to get back to reading it to see what happened next. Thom does a superb job in his research. I read the book over the Christmas holiday when I was travelling. After the holidays I happened to catch a History Channel presentation on George Rogers Clark. To my surprise, Thom was included among the experts that they interviewed. I would recommend that anyone who likes to read about history and have it brought to life in the story read this book. I can't wait to read another book by Thom.

Thom's biography of George Rodgers Clark is a must read for those interested in the old Northwest. If you enjoy the work of Allen Exckert or John Sugden you will enjoy Thom. There is a military toughness and awareness to Thom that I appreciated. Obviously, Thom is a man familiar with greatness. There is also a tenderness to his writing, seen in the story through Clark's courtship of his beloved Teresa, and the care Clark shows toward his men. Thom is an insightful writer, avoiding irreverence, subtle manipulation, or a need to see things the way he wants them to be. He is a man who tells a good story. I look forward to reading more of his work.