Thunder From Rain

by Eugene Sockut

For one hundred and thirteen days in 1877, a strange, savage and tragically bloody Indian war was fought across 1,400 miles of nearly impassible terrain in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana as 600 Nez Perce Indians endeavored to fight their way through the American Army of the Northwest to freedom in Canada. Thunder From Rain is the painfully true story of how the benevolent Nez Perce Indians, who had saved the explorers Lewis and Clark in 1805, were forcibly and against their will transformed into one of the most formidable foes the U.S. Army ever faced.

Told through the eyes of a young cavalry officer who served under the generals in charge of the pursuit, this tale is replete with the historical intrigues,corruption and selfish ambitions of the time. It also is the tender story of two young lovers torn apart by the violent clash of the opposing worlds they were born into. So unique, different, and unprecedented was this war from any Indian War that came before it, General William Tecumseh Sherman, nemesis of the plains Indians, was forced to admit, "Thus was terminated one of the most extraordinary Indian wars on record. The Indians displayed courage and skills that elicited universal praise. They abstained from scalping, let captive women free, did not commit indiscriminate murder, and fought with scientific skill."

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2009