Lay the Mountains Low: The Flight of the Nez Perce from Idaho and the Battle of the Big Hole - August 9-10, 1877
(Book #15 in the The Plainsmen Series)
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Book Overview
LAY THE MOUNTAINS LOW Terry C. Johnston In the summer of 1877, in a place called White Bird Canyon, Nez Perce warriors delivered a stunning blow to the First Cavalry--the worst defeat since the Little Bighorn one year before. Now, General O.O. Howard is charged with hunting down the Nez Perce and defeating them at last. Willing to sacrifice their ancestral homeland, with little understanding of the ways of the mighty U.S. government, the Non-Treaty Nez Perce begin a push out of Idaho for Montana and for peace. But it is too late. For warriors, soldiers, and strategists--and the innocent caught in between--a bloody battlefield awaits, at a place called Big Hole, Montana...
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0312973101
ISBN13:9780312973100
Release Date:February 2001
Publisher:St. Martin's Press
Length:736 Pages
Weight:0.77 lbs.
Dimensions:1.4" x 4.3" x 6.7"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
Living history
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Terry Johnston writes like a man who was there as events unfolded. He leaves no doubt that he was there--not during the events, but at the locations. Weaving contemporary newspaper articles and original letters throughout the text firmly roots this novel in time and space. This, plus occasional historical footnotes quenches a historian's thirst for authenticity. It made me want to go and visit these places for myself, equipped with Johnton's literary visual aids.
Johnston hits a home run with "Lay the Mountains Low"
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Terry Johnston's "Lay the Mountains Low" is a must for the avid fan of western history. Part of the Plainsmen series, we are not gifted with the rugged Irishman Sheamus Donnegan, as he is on duty miles away trying to quell a different Indian uprising (this makes Johnston's writing less fictionalized)instead we fall in love with numerous characters both Native American and European. This is the second part to a trilogy about the Nez Perce War of 1877, focusing on the drama which occurred after the Battle of White Bird Canyon and culminating with the tragic Big Hole Battle. Johnston takes you to the campsite, the fort, the trail ride, the battle ridge, and makes you consider how you would stand up against the elements, enemy and morality. Without a doubt, this is Johnston's best piece of work and is a must read for all fans of the Great American West. Make special note to read the afterword as Johnston provides information on his fact-finding trips thoroughout the West. Johnston provides valuable information and insight to battle sites, cemeteries, forts and historical road-side stops...again, Johnston gives the reader a seat on the fifty yard line to some of our nation's most famous locations.
Lay the Mountains Low
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
As always with Terry, a great book, an excellent way to learn about the history of the American West. If you are looking for a typical shootem up western this is not the book for you. This book is not for the faint hearted, there are few heros here, just a people fighting for their freedom and their lives against impossible odds. There is a lot of pain and and heart break here for both the Nez Perce and the whites, but mostly for the Nez Perce. This book really got to me, it was heart breaking reading what happened to the innocents on both sides. My family,s history goes back over 150 years in the west, so Terry,s books have special meaning for me. Read this book and you will never forget it.
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