What Reviewers Are Saying About Red Thunder

“Using an oral history about the life of legendary ‘prophet chief Circling Raven, as well as the stories still told by elderly Coeur d’Alene (or Schi’tsu’umsh) Indians, author and tribal member David Matheson reconstructs the world of an Idaho Native American family in the early 1700s.”

-Publishers Weekly

“Reading Red Thunder filled me with remembrances of a life long ago that our grandparents lived. This is what they lived, a humble, respectful existence in life’s cycles, and life’s realities. The story itself served me well to remember what is important even now in modern times, and that is: things that hold us together, family, traditions, sacredness, and ultimately, love.”

-Velma Wallis, Author of Two Old Women

“Red Thunder is a story of belonging – with and to Earth, Tribe, Spirit – a belonging missing from many lives today.”

-Christina Crawford, Author of Mammie Dearest

“Dave Matheson’s first novel is an impressive accomplishment.”

-Janet Campbell Hale, Coeur d’Alene Tribal Member, Author of Bloodlines: Odyssey of a Native Daughter

“[David Matheson] makes it quite clear that his beloved ancestors lived cultivated lives framed by a spiritual awareness and a sense of oneness with nature. It is a noteworthy addition to the genre of Indian tales. Highly recommended.”

-The Idaho Librarian

“I’ve read less than five books in my life that have brought tears to my eyes, David Matheson’s book ‘Red Thunder’ was one of them.”

-Laura Boyle, Vancouver Community Library

” … in this story of the tribe before white contact there are many rewards and also lessons that may be even more important today than they were 300 years ago when the story takes place.”

-Coeur d’Alene Press

“Red Thunder has the rhythm of an Elder telling a story. It rings true and will touch the heart of anyonewho reads it. This is a triumphant work, singing out in a clear voice, bringing to us a tiny flash of the red thunder.”

-Tacoma Reporter

“Red Thunder is a book that vividly depicts a time, place and people very different from the average 21st century reader while deftly pointing out our common ground.”

-Rambles Magazine

“Red Thunder is a strong and powerful book with an exciting plot that has both traditional religion and timeless wisdom intricately woven together.”

-Winds of Change Magazine

“I recommend Red Thunder to all Native Americans as a book which will help them to connect with our past and to all non-Indians as a book which will help them to better understand our history, culture, and sacred traditions.”

-Ernest Stensgar, former Tribal Chairman, Coeur d’Alene Tribe

“Red Thunder is an insightful and personal journey into the history and culture of a vibrant and resistant people, the Schitsu’umsh. Full of the great stories that have brought strength and beauty to families and an entire people since time immemorial, it is these stories that continue to reverberate in the lives of so many people, providing the Schitsu’umsh with their unique identity and the courage to successfully face the challenges of the 21st century.”

-Rodney Frey, Professor of American Indian Studies and Anthropology, University of Idaho, Author
of Landscape Traveled by Coyote and Crane-The World of the Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene Indians)

Red Thunder was a Foreword Magazine award finalist for the book of the year and historical fiction finalist and the Independent Publisher finalist for multi-cultural fiction.