Sign-Talker - by James Alexander Thom (Paperback)

About the Book

The saga of the Lewis and Clark expedition across a wild continent to the Pacific and back is told from the viewpoint of George Drouillard, their esteemed French-Shawnee interpreter and guide.

Book Synopsis

"A cracking good yarn . . . sheer storytelling power . . . James Alexander Thom is one of the finest historical novelists writing today. . . . Anyone who thinks there's nothing left to be said about the Lewis and Clark expedition should read this book."--John Sugden, author of Tecumseh: A Life

Following the Louisiana Purchase, Thomas Jefferson sends Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the newly acquired territory. To survive, the two captains need an extraordinary hunter who will be able to provide the expedition with fresh game, and a sign-talker to communicate with the native tribes. They choose George Drouillard. It is Drouillard, an actual historical figure, who becomes our eyes and ears on this unforgettable odyssey.

A magnificent tale told with intelligence and insight, Sign-Talker is full of song and suffering, humor and pathos. James Alexander Thom has created the rarest reading experience: one that entertains us even as it shows us a new vision of our nation, our past, and ourselves.

"Excellent . . . It is at once an adventure story [and] a historical document. . . . Even though many readers know the story of Lewis and Clark, Thom's novel will give them new insight."--The Indianapolis Star (four-star review)

Review Quotes

"James Alexander Thom . . . make[s] the story of North America come alive. He puts flesh and blood on forgotten names, and he breathes life into the stale past. He is probably the most important author of American historic novels writing today because he helps to interpret the distant past for the mind and interest of the modern reader."
--JACK WEATHERFORD
Author of Indian Givers

About the Author

James Alexander Thom was formerly a U.S. Marine, a newspaper and magazine editor, and a member of the faculty at the Indiana University Journalism School. He 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), The Children of First Man, and The Red Heart. He lives in the Indiana hill country near Bloomington with his wife, Dark Rain of the Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band. Dark Rain is a director of the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Planning Council.