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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.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1925
About the author
Zane Grey
2,137 books605 followersPearl 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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 9, 2025
Turns out I love westerns, who knew!
June 23, 2017
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.
May 23, 2026
While I remained unimpressed with the romance part of the book, the main content and meat of the story (no pun intended) proved to be the informational and interesting enough, and the anti-buffalo hunting propaganda (which was presented none-to-subtly) did actually convince me well enough.
Setting: The buffalo-hunting plains of Texas, beginning in 1874, spanning a year or two. The recent past of the Civil War is referenced; the settlement of the West plays a key factor; the difference between expert Westerners and greenhorns is emphasized; the danger of Comanche Indians provides much tension and action. The hunting and skinning of buffalo (ahem, apparently bison, a word which this book never uses) is pretty well detailed.
Characters: Tom Doan is somewhat of a flawless character, although one who never personally endeared me. He learns the hunting ropes quickly, proving himself a valuable asset despite his youth and newness to the field. Jett is written as the nasty man that he is, yet somehow I never perceived him as a real threat. Milly is a fine character--nothing spectacular--pretty naıve, but not in too unrealistic ways (only a feature not inclined to make me like her).
Pilchuck proves himself to be admirable: knowledgeable and a good leader. Catlee is more endearing, in his small role, eliciting from me the first feelings of pity. Other characters are little more than names filling roles intended to drive the action. I would not call this a "character-driven novel".
Plot: As I indicated, the romance is simply gushy, falling rather flat, though it provides a good ending. It is not the driving force of most of Tom's day-to-day actions, and he is not the salvation of Milly. Primarily, the events of the story bring his character arc to one who rejects hide-hunting. As such, the events are rather exciting: fighting Indians and escaping a buffalo stampede just to name a couple. This part of the story is written in an exciting, male perspective that I often prefer.
There is also a poor attempt at foreshadowing--that is, the true nature of Jett, which supposedly leaves the characters wondering for much longer than the reader has gained complete understanding. I found myself waiting for the characters to catch up, figuratively and literally.
Content: Milly is a stated Christian, knowing that her prayers saved her, but very little faith content is included, and the general attitude is that of exalting the buffalo. A smattering of rough language appears, but no more than would be expected among a male cast of characters.
Setting: The buffalo-hunting plains of Texas, beginning in 1874, spanning a year or two. The recent past of the Civil War is referenced; the settlement of the West plays a key factor; the difference between expert Westerners and greenhorns is emphasized; the danger of Comanche Indians provides much tension and action. The hunting and skinning of buffalo (ahem, apparently bison, a word which this book never uses) is pretty well detailed.
Characters: Tom Doan is somewhat of a flawless character, although one who never personally endeared me. He learns the hunting ropes quickly, proving himself a valuable asset despite his youth and newness to the field. Jett is written as the nasty man that he is, yet somehow I never perceived him as a real threat. Milly is a fine character--nothing spectacular--pretty naıve, but not in too unrealistic ways (only a feature not inclined to make me like her).
Pilchuck proves himself to be admirable: knowledgeable and a good leader. Catlee is more endearing, in his small role, eliciting from me the first feelings of pity. Other characters are little more than names filling roles intended to drive the action. I would not call this a "character-driven novel".
Plot: As I indicated, the romance is simply gushy, falling rather flat, though it provides a good ending. It is not the driving force of most of Tom's day-to-day actions, and he is not the salvation of Milly. Primarily, the events of the story bring his character arc to one who rejects hide-hunting. As such, the events are rather exciting: fighting Indians and escaping a buffalo stampede just to name a couple. This part of the story is written in an exciting, male perspective that I often prefer.
There is also a poor attempt at foreshadowing--that is, the true nature of Jett, which supposedly leaves the characters wondering for much longer than the reader has gained complete understanding. I found myself waiting for the characters to catch up, figuratively and literally.
Content: Milly is a stated Christian, knowing that her prayers saved her, but very little faith content is included, and the general attitude is that of exalting the buffalo. A smattering of rough language appears, but no more than would be expected among a male cast of characters.
April 11, 2020
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.
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.
May 26, 2017
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.
May 2, 2021
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
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
August 26, 2024
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.
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.
March 23, 2025
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.
January 23, 2021
In love with this book
November 16, 2021
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.
The description of the slaughter of the buffalo (bison) is accurate as is the
effect on the native peoples.
October 31, 2024
Zane Gray is a great storyteller. Historical and educational book. Action and storyline is captivating. Hard to put down.
January 31, 2026
Breathtaking descriptions of the early West, but the butchering of the buffalo is hard to read. So sad. Overall though, an excellent story.
August 11, 2014
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.)
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.)
July 24, 2015
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.
May 25, 2008
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.
March 7, 2012
I like this book so far. I dont know what tom an his mistress type deal will will do.
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April 24, 2008Grey, Zane
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews