The Thundering Herd

by Zane Grey

Tom Doan joins the buffalo hunters going into the Southwest’s inhospitable Staked Plain. Seeing huge herds there, he thinks of getting rich off their hides. He proves efficient as a skinner, and what follows is almost a literal baptism in sweat and blood. Fighting the Comanches and Kiowas, some unscrupulous white hunters, and his own conscience, he ages fast—all the faster in facing obstacles to love’s consummation with Milly. She, like Tom, is in constant danger from every side. Finally, they can be united in mind and body only if he agrees to her one condition.

The Thundering Herd, originally published in 1925, is Zane Grey’s great lament for the passing of the buffalo. Grounded in the author’s sense of western history, it shows in no uncertain terms how white men were debased by the wanton destruction of the herds.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Classics, Audiobook

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1925

About the author

Pearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Nicholas Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turns out I love westerns, who knew!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! I happened to see this title at our local library while there picking up another book. I grew up with original editions of Zane Gray on my grandmother's bookshelf and then those same editions moved to my own shelves and with great guilt now, I admit I never read them. But seeing this title and cover, I grabbed it and read it and loved it! I don't know if this title was one of the ones I grew up seeing, but it was an amazing read of the Texas country buffalo hide hunters and the subsequent tragic engagements with native American tribes. The story captured my attention and reminded me of why I enjoyed western TV shows and movies while growing up. What I can't figure out is why did I not read author until now. I am finally the better for it.

[Bojan Djordjic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from my neighbour about 12 years ago and I didn't find it interesting to read.
Now I can say that this is one beautiful book. I felt I'm actually present in every part of plot.
It's interesting how Zane made critical review of bison slaughtering while keeping his characters good persons.
The ending however was predictable and cheesy, but this is kind of book that this doesn't affect general impression at all.

[Argyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Thundering Herd is comprised of bright purple prose, vivid imagery, an exciting plot, some good characters and a predictable ending. It's a lot of fun but it makes me wonder what Zane Grey might have accomplished if he had taken his time with each book and worked with a good editor.

[Jarmby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear
Think of The Bold and the Beautiful, with its melodramatic overacting with very little narrative substance , locate it all out on the prairie with plenty of killing anything below a God Fearing White man and you have another Zane Grey disappointment

[Wesley Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Call Me Buffalo Tom

An excellent read! I I hadn't read Zane Gray for several years and this book brought back wonderful memories of youthful hours reading his books. I think I will go back and read them all over again.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic page-turner of a western; written in 1925 so it’s a product of its time. Describes and bemoans in harrowing detail the heartless slaughter of the great buffalo herds of the Wild West, with a little melodramatic love story thrown in for good measure.

[Nicolae Nicolae Birsan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In love with this book

[Rod Innis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story. It also true to life for the time and place of the story.
The description of the slaughter of the buffalo (bison) is accurate as is the
effect on the native peoples.

[Brad M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane Gray is a great storyteller. Historical and educational book. Action and storyline is captivating. Hard to put down.

[Kathleen Reum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathtaking descriptions of the early West, but the butchering of the buffalo is hard to read. So sad. Overall though, an excellent story.

[Ben Crandell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the past, I've only resorted to reading Zane Grey when Louis LaMour wasn't readily available. However, I've grown to really appreciate his much more sublime and realistic stories. He always paints beautiful scenes of nature, and his characters are very human. In that some his bad guys have good traits, and sometimes his hero has a weak trait.
This story wasn't only a well written western, it also told the tail of our wholesale slaughter of the American buffalo and our war with American Indians (Cherokee, Kiowa, Arapaho, and others) The hero is actually a buffalo hunter who fights the Cherokee and other tribes. Zane does a great job of representing the life of the west, and the bloody history involved with "winning it"
I'll be picking up more of Zane Grey. His stories aren't so predictable and fantastic. They are just good, real good. (Sorry, Louis.)

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I liked this way more than expected. My grandfather was always trying to get me to read Zane Grey, and I was never impressed. This was actually recommended to me by my brother who is not a reader. It puts an interesting perspective on the widespread slaughter of the buffalo. We see a range of motives for those involved in the process.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adventures of buffalo skinners in the old West. This is one of my favorite westerns by Grey. It is filled with historical information and lots of details about buffalo.

[Justin Frodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book so far. I dont know what tom an his mistress type deal will will do.

[Partridge Public]

Grey, Zane