Sign-Talker : The Adventure of George Drouillard on the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Rating:
Summary: A Remarkable Man
Review: If you're a fan of James Alexander Thom then you'll not be disappointed by ths story. So much of the Lewis and Clark epic centers upon the exploits of the two leaders that it is refreshing to find an account from another point of view. And, that's exactly what happens here as Thom tells the story as Drouillard sees it. Although Drouillard was an illiterate half-breed who was unable to write personal journals, he is mentioned often in the journals of both Lewis and Clark. From that alone, we get a picture of an extremely capable individual who often went far beyond what was expected of him. The success of the expedition owed much to Drouillard's efforts. Thom's account relies heavily upon the published journals of Lewis and Clark for accuracy in telling the story. The one thing which may bother some readers is that much of Drouillard's story is based upon Thom's own imagination as to what Drouillard thought and felt. However, any novelist in a similar situation would have to do the same thing. In this case, there is no better man than Thom to fill in the blanks. His past books and extensive research into this part of our history gives him great credibility. Sign Talker is a great story and well worth your time to read.

Rating:
Summary: Sign-Talker: A Trip Back in Time
Review: Long overshadowed by Lewis, Clark, and Sacagaweah, George Drouillard finally gets his due in this latest historical novel from James Alexander Thom. A French-Canadian/Shawnee mixed blood, Drouillard is recruited by Lewis and Clark to accompany the Corps of Discovery on their famous journey across the West to the Pacific Ocean and back. Along the way, Drouillard acts as hunter and interpreter, helping to keep the expedition alive and to provide positive relations with the many Indian tribes encountered along the way. We get a different interpretation of the journey, that of a non-white outsider who knows only too well the ultimate fate of these yet unspoiled lands and the native peoples who inhabit them. It is in stark contrast to the heroification that oozes from many other traditional treatments of this subject. It is a refreshing look at the complex personalities that made up this arduous crusade across a continent. While the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a great and momentous historic event which helped pave the way for the future of the country, Thom shows us the dark side too. Through Droulliard, we get a foreshadowing of the many years of hardships, triumphs, and tragedies that will come. Nearly forgotten by history today, the story of George Drouillard is indeed the tale of a true warrior and a great adventure.

Rating:
Summary: Good detail, but too "politically correct"
Review: The strength of this book lies in the masterful detail. James Alexander Thom invokes the sights, sounds, and (sometimes unpleasant) smells of the Lewis & Clark expedition with unfailing attention to detail. His knowledge of the expedition and early-American life is impressive. Unfortunately, other aspects of the book don't live up to the same level of quality. Thom strikes the same note over and over - the whites are clueless destroyers, the Indians are mystic children of nature, and the overall tone of the Lewis & Clark Expedition was cynicism and greed. About halfway through, when I realized the book had no other insights to offer, I grew weary of the righteousness of the main character George Droulliard and was ready to skip to the end. Thom's portrait of Lewis as a raving, incompetent jerk seems like a literary device thrown in to create more conflict, instead of really trying to analyze the man's character. Similarly, Thom paints Droulliard as a near saint, ignoring the fact that he owned at least one slave. I enjoyed this book for the interesting detail, but I could've done without all the "political correctness."

Rating:
Summary: Good detail, but too "politically correct"
Review: This was one of the most captivating adventures I've read about in a long time. I'm a slow reader, and enjoy savoring the details of a good book, but still surprised myself as I finished this in (for me) record time. J. A. Thom's intensely sensitive portrayal of the conflicted and insightful soul of Lewis and Clark's half Shawnee, half French communicator and hunter, George Drouillard, made the details of two-year expedition come alive. Other accountings I've read of the Lewis and Clark Expedition left me dry, but Thom fills in the facts with riveting narrative and anchors it with fascinating historical journal entries. A thoroughly good read. Thank you, Mr. Thom.

Rating:
Summary: Among the finest historical novels I've read.
Review: This was one of the most captivating adventures I've read about in a long time. I'm a slow reader, and enjoy savoring the details of a good book, but still surprised myself as I finished this in (for me) record time. J. A. Thom's intensely sensitive portrayal of the conflicted and insightful soul of Lewis and Clark's half Shawnee, half French communicator and hunter, George Drouillard, made the details of two-year expedition come alive. Other accountings I've read of the Lewis and Clark Expedition left me dry, but Thom fills in the facts with riveting narrative and anchors it with fascinating historical journal entries. A thoroughly good read. Thank you, Mr. Thom.

Rating:
Summary: A new American hero
Review: Thom has created a new American hero with this book -- the brooding, efficient half-breed George Drouillard -- and he has singed the reputation of an existing hero: the dark and depressive Meriwether Lewis. French/Indian mixed bloods were the pathfinders who led the Anglos into the wilderness and Thom gives some long-overdue recognition to them. Drouillard's reaction to the well-known events of the Lewis and Clark expedition are what make this book fascinating. We get a view of the white man from the standpoint of an outsider. Unlike most books of this sort, however, Drouillard's views are multi-layered. He admires Clark -- and occasionally even Lewis -- at the same time that he often finds their attitudes and actions reprehensible. He sees the Indians in a sympathetic light and he foresees their rapid downfall at the hands of the rapacious Anglos, but he doesn't idealize them a la Dances with Wolves. History confirms that Drouillard was a formidable woodsman and hunter, one of the most valuable members of the expedition. Thom gives him also that mythic quality of Shane and every other lonely gunslinger of American literature.

Rating:
Summary: Sign-Talker: A Trip Back in Time
Review: Thom's Sign Talker draws in the reader from the very start. This is an action-packed, intelligent, effective novel that vividly leads you through the trials and triumphs of Lewis and Clark's journey, as seen through the eyes of their Native American interpreter. As always, Thom gives life to his characters with tremendous insight into human nature. A respectable novel I can highly recommend to anyone who enjoys adventure and history.