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Frontier Traveler #3
Bitter Ground
126 days. 1200 miles. A fight for survival.
After Graham Davidson witnessed Custer’s defeat at Little Bighorn in June 1876, he wanted a place to raise his family away from the battles of the Great Sioux War.Graham and Makawee travel with their two young children to northeast Oregon, hoping to find a home with the Nez Perce under Chief Joseph.When several Indian bands refuse to abide by a treaty that forces them onto a reservation, their peaceful life in the Wallowa Valley is shattered.Graham and his family join seven hundred Nez Perce in their flight from the US army in 1877.The caravan makes a perilous trek through Idaho, Yellowstone National Park, and Montana. The exiled people hope to reach Canada, where Lakota Chief Sitting Bull and his followers have taken refuge. Military leaders are determined to capture or kill the Nez Perce before they cross the border.Can Graham and Makawee’s love withstand the trials of this odyssey? Will they make it to freedom?Or will they be among the casualties of the last Indian war?Follow their journey in this thrilling novel based on actual events!
After Graham Davidson witnessed Custer’s defeat at Little Bighorn in June 1876, he wanted a place to raise his family away from the battles of the Great Sioux War.Graham and Makawee travel with their two young children to northeast Oregon, hoping to find a home with the Nez Perce under Chief Joseph.When several Indian bands refuse to abide by a treaty that forces them onto a reservation, their peaceful life in the Wallowa Valley is shattered.Graham and his family join seven hundred Nez Perce in their flight from the US army in 1877.The caravan makes a perilous trek through Idaho, Yellowstone National Park, and Montana. The exiled people hope to reach Canada, where Lakota Chief Sitting Bull and his followers have taken refuge. Military leaders are determined to capture or kill the Nez Perce before they cross the border.Can Graham and Makawee’s love withstand the trials of this odyssey? Will they make it to freedom?Or will they be among the casualties of the last Indian war?Follow their journey in this thrilling novel based on actual events!
313 pages, Hardcover
Published November 20, 2023
346 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
D.A. Galloway
5 books61 followershttps://www.facebook.com/DAGallowayAu...
dgallowayusa@yahoo.com
I grew up in rural Pennsylvania near Gettysburg. After a long career in the paper industry and writing a bestselling nonfiction book, Safety WALK Safety TALK, I decided to follow a once-dormant dream of writing a novel. I enjoy reading about adventurers and explorers, traveling internationally, riding a recumbent tandem bike, and spending time with my grandsons.
Burning Ground was inspired by two memorable summers of my youth.
As a teenager, I worked on a fruit farm in Pennsylvania. It is here I met Redfield, a Crow Indian who lived a simple life but had a profound effect on the way I saw the world and people around me.
As a young man, I spent a summer in Yellowstone National Park in the late 1970's giving guided tours on Yellowstone Lake. When I was not working, my days were spent exploring all corners of that magnificent land, often in the backcountry. My love for our nation's first national park is rooted in that wonderful experience. I've included some photos from my time in the park in the Author Updates.
I am currently working on the sequel to Burning Ground, tentatively titled Fatal Ground.
dgallowayusa@yahoo.com
I grew up in rural Pennsylvania near Gettysburg. After a long career in the paper industry and writing a bestselling nonfiction book, Safety WALK Safety TALK, I decided to follow a once-dormant dream of writing a novel. I enjoy reading about adventurers and explorers, traveling internationally, riding a recumbent tandem bike, and spending time with my grandsons.
Burning Ground was inspired by two memorable summers of my youth.
As a teenager, I worked on a fruit farm in Pennsylvania. It is here I met Redfield, a Crow Indian who lived a simple life but had a profound effect on the way I saw the world and people around me.
As a young man, I spent a summer in Yellowstone National Park in the late 1970's giving guided tours on Yellowstone Lake. When I was not working, my days were spent exploring all corners of that magnificent land, often in the backcountry. My love for our nation's first national park is rooted in that wonderful experience. I've included some photos from my time in the park in the Author Updates.
I am currently working on the sequel to Burning Ground, tentatively titled Fatal Ground.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 16, 2024
I started reading this series because it was set in one of my favorite places on earth- Yellowstone. I found the first book mesmerizing with facts and descriptions of familiar places melded with a storyline that followed historical documentation. The second book became more focused on the native American culture and conflicts. This third installment once again spotlighted the plight of Indians being ripped from their land and given little choice on how their lives must change to succumb to the will of the government.
I wanted to love this book as in did the first but much of the human connection and description of the countryside became mired in the movements of specific people, obviously intent on an accurate historical account. I was interested to hear new details of already familiar events but most was factual and flat.
I was once again unimpressed with the reader of the audio book. The staccato narration of conversations with native Americans seemed stereotypical, the historical accounting became monotone. Just as I thought the story was over, the author found his voice again- drawing me into the events with personality. I wished the final chapter of this book could go on.
In the next book, Graham will travel with Wild Bill Hickock. and then revisit reservations when he hears of wounded knee . I'll see how motivated I am to keep up with the history behind the Yellowstone region.
I wanted to love this book as in did the first but much of the human connection and description of the countryside became mired in the movements of specific people, obviously intent on an accurate historical account. I was interested to hear new details of already familiar events but most was factual and flat.
I was once again unimpressed with the reader of the audio book. The staccato narration of conversations with native Americans seemed stereotypical, the historical accounting became monotone. Just as I thought the story was over, the author found his voice again- drawing me into the events with personality. I wished the final chapter of this book could go on.
In the next book, Graham will travel with Wild Bill Hickock. and then revisit reservations when he hears of wounded knee . I'll see how motivated I am to keep up with the history behind the Yellowstone region.
November 14, 2023
I could not put this book down
Book three of the Frontier travel series Bitter Ground did not disappoint. Graham and Mackawee are off on a new adventure. When the US government continues to try take away the Native American lands, Graham and Mackawee join up with the Nex Perce tribe to make their way to Canada to join the Sioux tribe and live in peace. They must travel over 1200 miles thru Montana and Wyoming. Their journey is treacherous and the US soldiers trail them. Many battles ensue. The characters in this story are well developed and the scenery is described as though you are there. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I will just say it is a great read! The love and respect the crow have for one another is so admirable. You can see how they live as one family. Graham and Mackawee and the entire tribe have peaceful and also very troublesome times on their trek to Canada. You will not be disappointed.
Book three of the Frontier travel series Bitter Ground did not disappoint. Graham and Mackawee are off on a new adventure. When the US government continues to try take away the Native American lands, Graham and Mackawee join up with the Nex Perce tribe to make their way to Canada to join the Sioux tribe and live in peace. They must travel over 1200 miles thru Montana and Wyoming. Their journey is treacherous and the US soldiers trail them. Many battles ensue. The characters in this story are well developed and the scenery is described as though you are there. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I will just say it is a great read! The love and respect the crow have for one another is so admirable. You can see how they live as one family. Graham and Mackawee and the entire tribe have peaceful and also very troublesome times on their trek to Canada. You will not be disappointed.
November 14, 2023
Bitter Ground, the third installment in D.A. Galloway's Frontier Traveler series, continues the story of fictional time traveler, Graham Davidson, his Native American wife, Makawee, and their young family in 1877.
Find out what happens when they get swept along with Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce’s people’s flight from their homeland. Will they make it across the Canadian border? Can they evade the U.S. Army, or will they be stopped just short of escape? If they make it to the border, will Sitting Bull and his people welcome them?
This story is jam packed with historical detail, meticulously researched, and is combined with a very compelling story. History tells us how this story will end, but that doesn’t diminish the experience of rooting for the underdogs and empathizing with a proud people unjustly treated.
I highly recommend this book, and the series, which also includes Burning Ground, Fatal Ground, and the forthcoming, Sacred Ground. I’m a fan!
Find out what happens when they get swept along with Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce’s people’s flight from their homeland. Will they make it across the Canadian border? Can they evade the U.S. Army, or will they be stopped just short of escape? If they make it to the border, will Sitting Bull and his people welcome them?
This story is jam packed with historical detail, meticulously researched, and is combined with a very compelling story. History tells us how this story will end, but that doesn’t diminish the experience of rooting for the underdogs and empathizing with a proud people unjustly treated.
I highly recommend this book, and the series, which also includes Burning Ground, Fatal Ground, and the forthcoming, Sacred Ground. I’m a fan!
November 14, 2023
Beautifully written, insightful work!
As the saga of Graham and Makawee continues, D.A. Galloway has again provided us with a beautifully written account of historical events. The plight of indigenous peoples as our country expanded west is accurately portrayed by the author. Photographs and descriptions of both key Nez Perce leaders and military leaders help make these individuals more real to us. Once again, Mr. Galloway has provided another well-thought-out work that not only tells us about events in the past, but also gives us insight into the very real struggles in the lives of individuals. Well done!
February 5, 2024
This is the third book in Galloway’s Frontier Series and yet another beautifully written novel with fascinating characters and a backdrop of the western United States in the late 1800’s. If you like history but prefer a good story rather than a textbook, this is your book. I recommend reading the first two before you read this one, as it’s helpful to follow the main characters on their journey chronologically. Just like the others, the ending left us with a clear indication that there will be a fourth book. Looking forward to its release!
January 29, 2025
A very entertaining and well researched series. The main character, Graham Davidson has had a rough childhood in the 1960's where three of his siblings died tragically in different events. Graham feels somewhat guilty about the deaths and proceeds into a lackluster college career until he is able to gain summer seasonal employment in Yellowstone National Park. Graham explores the park and during a midsummer full moon evening, he visits a sacred spot and is transported back in time 100 years to 1871.
In the first book Graham meets a native woman, Makawee. They eventually marry, have one child, and adopt another orphan Sioux child. In this book Graham and his family travel to Northwest Oregon where they encounter Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. I live in Oregon and have read a fair amount about the Nez Perce. This book is well researched and describes the trials and tribulations of the Nez Perce as they deal with the US Military. The descriptions of the region and of the conflict are entertaining and accurate. One becomes very attached to the small family as they make their way in this dangerous time.
I recommend this series to anyone interested in the history of the Northwest and of the indigenous people of the region.
In the first book Graham meets a native woman, Makawee. They eventually marry, have one child, and adopt another orphan Sioux child. In this book Graham and his family travel to Northwest Oregon where they encounter Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. I live in Oregon and have read a fair amount about the Nez Perce. This book is well researched and describes the trials and tribulations of the Nez Perce as they deal with the US Military. The descriptions of the region and of the conflict are entertaining and accurate. One becomes very attached to the small family as they make their way in this dangerous time.
I recommend this series to anyone interested in the history of the Northwest and of the indigenous people of the region.
November 19, 2023
Mr. Galloway has done it again. Bitter Ground is an excellent story of the wrongs that were done to the native Indians in America. I felt as if I were there with Graham and his family as they encountered the ravages of war, the hardships of travel, and the love of family. I can't wait for the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2023
They Took My Homeland
Life was hard for all, but good ! Nez Perce had lived on these lands for more than thousands of years . The white ones came from across the big water and began to settle where it was most inviting. Their government moved the ones already there to less favorable locales and insisted they stay and live there.
Life was hard for all, but good ! Nez Perce had lived on these lands for more than thousands of years . The white ones came from across the big water and began to settle where it was most inviting. Their government moved the ones already there to less favorable locales and insisted they stay and live there.
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January 31, 2024History and fiction combine in BITTER GROUND by D.A. Galloway - Author of Historical Fiction, the third installment in the innovative Frontier Traveler series, where time traveler Graham Davidson and his Crow wife, Makawee, join up with the Nez Perce tribe.
Read the full review on BookTrib.com
Read the full review on BookTrib.com
February 23, 2024
Just read and enjoy
This is a wonderful historical novel..it shows many sides of life and the early days of yellowstone park and the trials and tribulations of the native Americans
The research must have taken months and is greatly appreciated for those of us who yearn for this information..
This is a wonderful historical novel..it shows many sides of life and the early days of yellowstone park and the trials and tribulations of the native Americans
The research must have taken months and is greatly appreciated for those of us who yearn for this information..
November 23, 2023
Interesting but....
Good books but not very believable. Any Indians from that Era would have deemed Graham a coward and acted accordingly. How does an amputee clasp his hands behind his back?
Good books but not very believable. Any Indians from that Era would have deemed Graham a coward and acted accordingly. How does an amputee clasp his hands behind his back?
November 23, 2023
Love this series!
I have really enjoyed this series. I did a lot of googling of facts in the first books. I loved that the author included photos of some of the characters this time. Still googling though. Lol. Thanks for an enjoyable read D.A. Galloway!
I have really enjoyed this series. I did a lot of googling of facts in the first books. I loved that the author included photos of some of the characters this time. Still googling though. Lol. Thanks for an enjoyable read D.A. Galloway!
January 24, 2024
Great Historical Fiction
I read the trilogy written so far and have enjoyed each one. I will await the next book in the series. Thank you for your writings of the Yellowstone area and the west.
I read the trilogy written so far and have enjoyed each one. I will await the next book in the series. Thank you for your writings of the Yellowstone area and the west.
February 6, 2024
I couldn’t put this book down
I can’t wait for the next book. I couldn’t put this one down. It hooked me in from beginning to end. I cried and then I was able to imagine the pain of leaving a son then a daughter. Graham has a heart worth loving.
I can’t wait for the next book. I couldn’t put this one down. It hooked me in from beginning to end. I cried and then I was able to imagine the pain of leaving a son then a daughter. Graham has a heart worth loving.
March 15, 2024
These 3 books are the best I have read in years! I had trouble putting them down. Many nights I read until 3 in the morning! I can't wait for the 4th book to come out! They were brilliantly written. The story was so engrossing even though it was mostly historical. LOVED THE SERIES!
June 9, 2024
interesting and engaging historical fiction
Loved the story and characters, scenery and nature. Bless the Native Americans. I know it’s a fictional story — but based on true events. Bitter ground indeed. 🩷🙏
Loved the story and characters, scenery and nature. Bless the Native Americans. I know it’s a fictional story — but based on true events. Bitter ground indeed. 🩷🙏
February 3, 2025
All 3 books
I just finished reading Bitter Ground, the third book in this series. All three books were well written and enjoyable to read. The author did a great job telling a story and mixing it with history. I look forward to reading the 4th book of this series.
I just finished reading Bitter Ground, the third book in this series. All three books were well written and enjoyable to read. The author did a great job telling a story and mixing it with history. I look forward to reading the 4th book of this series.
September 17, 2025
Bitter Ground is a powerful, emotional, and deeply human story that pulled me in from the very first page. As the third book in the Frontier Traveler series, it continues D.A. Galloway’s gift for blending historical authenticity with vivid storytelling.
December 15, 2023
A beautiful book of historic fiction compassionately handled by author Galloway. 1870’s + Montana region. A great add to Burning Ground and Fatal Ground.
September 3, 2024
Home
A sad ending but still worth thje reading.
I'm wondering if there isn't more coming of this story, it leaves an opening for a new story line.
A sad ending but still worth thje reading.
I'm wondering if there isn't more coming of this story, it leaves an opening for a new story line.
November 29, 2024
Book review
Sad but beautiful story of true love and unbelievable sorrow. Each book in the series is better than the one before it.
Sad but beautiful story of true love and unbelievable sorrow. Each book in the series is better than the one before it.
October 18, 2025
A very enjoyable series
This is the third book in a very enjoyable series based in the early days of the western United States. I highly recommend.
This is the third book in a very enjoyable series based in the early days of the western United States. I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews