Spirit Of Thunder [Paperback]

In this novel, One Who Flies recognizes the possibilities, both for good and bad, from the gold on Cheyenne land. He digs up some of the gold, but needs proper tools to reach the main lode. Speaks While Leaving is disturbed and angry at the condition of the dig and tells him a vision of restoring the land after digging out the gold. One Who Flies journeys to a trading post to trade furs for tools and there he meets Vincent D'Avignon, a trader who recognizes his intent to mine gold and offers to help him. Eventually, Vincent becomes an advisor and partner to the Cheyenne.

Back in Washington, a bill in the Senate calls for a major railroad extension crossing the entire state of Yankton and bridging over the Missouri in order to open up the Unorganized Territory to settlement. Custer supports the bill and sends General Herron west to command the project, with Lieutenant Colonel Craig Shafer to command the engineers who will build the bridge.

The Army also pushes out many to the previously conquered tribes over the Big Greasy, the Missouri river. The Cheyenne fight back, but are overwhelmed by the numerous well-armed soldiers. The Army protects the railroad with forts along its lengths and soon has forts being built in the Unorganized Territories.

One Who Flies struggles to produce the gold to buy arms, ammunition, and demolition charges to stop the advance of the railroad, but is running out of time.

This novel points out the weaknesses of the Cheyenne in a war for territory and proposes some solutions to these weaknesses, while maintaining their strengths of mobility and stealth.

Recommended for Giambastiani fans and anyone who enjoys tales of personal courage and combat.

While the story delves deeper into characters' emotions than its predecessor, the action is more fast-paced and, naturally, more shallow than in The Year The Cloud Fell. While this is characteristic of sequels and should have been expected, I was still disappointed. It appears that either Mr. Giambastiani was trying hard to finish by the set deadline and thus cut the narrative short, or perhaps the publishing house edited the story down. Either way, I believe the book would have benefited from deeper development, especially historical background, nature scenes, and possibly a deeper look at the political games in Washington. This is one case where an extra 100 pages would have been to the benefit rather than detriment.

In 'The Year the Cloud Fell', we followed President Custer's son and his accidental encounter with the Cheyenne nation. In 'The Spirit of Thunder', George Jr. must take up arms alongside the Cheyenne against his father's forces. Will his insight into the military tactics and technology of his people be enough to turn the tide and give his new allies the upper hand? Can this son-of-the-enemy ever truly be accepted or trusted by the Cheyenne people?

Luckily, my wife and I decided to dive into this novel while on vacation. It is so engrossing that it was very difficult to put it down and turn out the light at night.