People of the River »

W. MICHAEL GEAR, who holds a master’s degree in archaeology, has worked as a professional archaeologist since 1978. He is currently principal investigator for Wind River Archaeological Consultants.

KATHLEEN O'NEAL GEAR is a former state historian and archaeologist for Wyoming, Kansas, and Nebraska for the US Department of the Interior. She has twice received the federal government’s Special Achievement Award for “outstanding management” of our nation’s cultural heritage.

The Gears, whose North America’s Forgotten Past series and Anasazi Mystery series are both international and USA Today bestsellers, live in Thermopolis, Wyoming.

Thousands of years ago, small hunting bands crossed the fragile land bridge linking the Eurasian continent to the Americas and discovered a land untouched by humankind. Over the centuries that followed, their descendents spread throughout this land. Bestselling authors and award-winning archaeologists W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear bring the stories of these first North Americans to life in this magnificent, multi-volume saga.

In 1100 C.E., master astronomers, merchants, and engineers walked the halls of Mound Builder cities. From their multi-story palaces in the central Mississippi Valley, they governed a civilization that spread across all of eastern North America. Then climate change shook the civilization to its roots, and a mad God-King arose. The People’s only hope of survival rested in a rogue war chief who had betrayed his own people and a young girl who was learning to dream of Power….

Publishers Weekly

Following their three bestselling paperbacks ( People of the Earth , etc.), the Gears cross over to hardcover with this absorbing addition to their First North Americans series. Here they cover the culture of the so-called Mississippians, who, between 700 A.D. and 1500 A.D., lived in the area surrounding Cahokia in what is now Illinois. The authors, who are also professional archeologists, depict a hierarchical society that depends on corn for sustenance, worships various gods, builds mounds of earth (some as high as 100 feet) and develops a precise knowledge of astronomy. As the novel opens, a severe drought has hit the region. The villagers near Cahokia cannot feed themselves, much less pay the required tribute of corn to Tharon, their chief, but he sends his soldiers to prey on them anyway. The religious ceremonies, ethics and taboos as well as the passions and longings of these ancients are made urgent and vivid in dramas centering on Tharon's conflicted chief warrior; the woman who fights at his side; a priestess whose dreams predict the future; and a young Dreamer who will be a priestess someday. Fast-paced and engrossing, the novel has the ring of authenticity as well. Major ad/promo; author tour. (July)