The Children of First Man

I've always thought if the first chapter of a book didn't grab my attention, then it wasn't worth my time. This book was assigned for reading by the moderator of my library book review group. At first I was really disappointed because the last book had been a real bummer. I read the first chapter and thought I had another bummer. But I was determined to finish the whole book come [any obstacle]. So I made myself start reading again. Well, was I ever in for a surprise.The Prologue begins in 1838 with George Catlin, the artist, who had been allowed to paint the People of the Mandan tribe, to include the greatest Indian Chief of all, Four Bears. Then Chapter One begins in the summer of 1169, when a Welsh yellow-haired prince named Madoc, and his brother, have sailed toward the new land. From this point on until the end of Chapter Eight, the author writes about Madoc's trials and tribulations with the natives after arriving in this new land.Chapters Nine through Seventeen pretty much tells how the "marked drawings" of Madoc, later desribed as the "Magic Bundle" are handed down through the generations for safe-keeping.From Chapter Eighteen on, this author had my complete attention. I could NOT put the book down because my ancestors are Cherokee.Although there were times I felt the author was drawing the book out over too long of a time frame, it wasn't until I finished reading the book that I realized how well written and researched this book had been.The last few chapters had me in tears. Although written as a work of fiction, in my heart I could very well imagine this story to be as true as any nonfiction book I've ever read.I have nothing but the highest respect and admiration for this author, James Alexander Thom. May the Great Spirit be with him, guiding his thoughts and his hand as he embarks on his next novel. I'll be waiting to read it. My opinion of this book? It's one of the best written books I've had the pleasure to read.

This is the BEST book I have ever read.I read it when it first came out and again recently.Outstanding, Mr. Thom draws you into the era.A great story told by a great story teller.I read a lot of historical fiction and this was by far the greatest!Children of First Man and Runestone by Don Coldsmith are the two best books on the subject of early white man in North America.Mr. Thoms latest book Sign-Talker is also a must read.

Amazingly, I felt transferred into this wild wilderness, battling all of the various elements of danger contained within the world of the ragged travellers. This is the story of a Welsh prince of antiquity that leaves his embattled homeland to hopefully build another kingdom in paradise. The scenes on the ocean voyage are particularly exciting, as are the various encounters with the native peoples he and his fellow journeyers encounter. I found the novel entirely engrossing.Before devouring this book, I had never read any of Thom's other novels. I went on to read most of his other works in rapid succession. He brings the history of native America into sharper focus.

This is a fascinating blend of historical fact and fiction and a delightful read. Thom's writing style is fast moving and exciting. If you have ever wondered about the early settlement of the Americas and thought some of the stuff you learned in school didnt' make a lot of sense, this is another perspective to think about. One of my top 10 all time books.

At age 52, I rank this as one of the three most entertaining books I've ever read, along with Goethe's Faust & John Grisham's The Firm. For two years, I had been researching Madoc and the Mandan to write a book on the subject; after reading Thom's book, I yield to a superior author who has thoroughly researched many sources and brought many mysteries together to reveal a likely history of actual events which occurred in Wales, the Southeast U. S., and along the Ohio River, culminating in the current location of the Mandan Nation in the center of our continent. As I continued reading, my jealousy quickly became admiration. I read this book five times in its first two months, and I continue to enjoy it today. I cannot comprehend any reaction other than excited enjoyment to this great book.