Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: Great historical novel revolving around Colonel George Rogers Clark and his famous expedition to take the Northwest Territory from the British during the Revoltuion. This book combines history and adventure with the result being a novel that blows away any dry history textbook like a frontier rifleman at a turkey shoot. Thom brings us back to a forgotten chapter of the American Revolution as a group of desperate Virginians and Kentuckians launch a daring attempt to end the bloody border raids by the Ohio Indians. Their ultimate goal is the capture of a number of British held forts throughout the Ohio Country thereby breaking British power and influence in their wartorn land forever. This is an exciting book that I would highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Great historical novel revolving around Colonel George Rogers Clark and his famous expedition to take the Northwest Territory from the British during the Revoltuion. This book combines history and adventure with the result being a novel that blows away any dry history textbook like a frontier rifleman at a turkey shoot. Thom brings us back to a forgotten chapter of the American Revolution as a group of desperate Virginians and Kentuckians launch a daring attempt to end the bloody border raids by the Ohio Indians. Their ultimate goal is the capture of a number of British held forts throughout the Ohio Country thereby breaking British power and influence in their wartorn land forever. This is an exciting book that I would highly recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: Not one of Thom's better works.
Review: I believe this was Alexander Thom's first novel, and it certainly reads like a first time effort. It's not half as good as his later works like "Follow the River" or "The Red Heart." In "Long Knife" Thom recounts Patriot George Rogers Clarke's epic march during the Revolutionary War to destroy British power on the western frontier. Thom is only partly successful in relaying this powerful tale into a moving work of fiction. The weakest element is a cliched and poorly developed romantic subplot involving Clarke and a Spanish commandant's sister. Pretty amateurish stuff. However, the strength of the novel is, of course, Clarke's army's 240 mile epic winter march, including long stretches through icy waist-deep water, to attack the British fort at Vincennes. It's here where Thom really shines bringing immense detail to the agony and fatigue faced by those men. (It's actually very reminiscent of Kenneth Roberts' description in his terrific novel "Northwest Passage" of a similar march by the famed Robert Rogers and his Rangers during the French and Indian War.) Unfortunately, Clarke's march is just a small part of the book and, although it's historical fiction writing at its best, it does not completely atone for the weak parts of "Long Knife."I would recommend this book to Revolutionary War buffs and Alexander Thom fans. However, if you're new to Alexander Thom then I would recommend you check out some of his later books before reading "Long Knife," his first attempt at a historical novel.
Rating:
Summary: Pioneer adventure brought to life ... yet based on fact!
Review: I read Long Knife years ago and was amazed that actual history was brought to life so well and so convincingly realistic. Follow the adventures of the man the Indians called Long Knife as he mounts an expedition down the Ohio River to the Mississippi to foil the French (and others) from turning the Indians against the Americans. Along the way he meets his true love. The ending is a real wrencher. Are you a history buff or into genealogy? Find out what life was like in the late 1700s. Yes, it is better than any fictional adventure or romance novel because it's true! (Most of it, anyway.)
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: I read this book years ago, but the story of George Rogers Clark has stayed with me. Thom is one of those rare authors that can paint pictures with his masterful weaving of words. A fictional presentation of a real-life hero, a man who accomplished amazing things and lived and outstanding life - and he is one that has long been overshadowed in the history books to a degree by his younger brother's feats (William Clark, famed adventurer of the Lewis & Clark team). Thom has done a superb job of showcasing George Rogers Clark in this book. It's an outstanding read and could well set the reader on an adventure for more historical fiction from this fine author. Be sure to check out 'From Sea to Shining Sea' as well.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: I read this book years ago, but the story of George Rogers Clark has stayed with me. Thom is one of those rare authors that can paint pictures with his masterful weaving of words. A fictional presentation of a real-life hero, a man who accomplished amazing things and lived and outstanding life - and he is one that has long been overshadowed in the history books to a degree by his younger brother's feats (William Clark, famed adventurer of the Lewis & Clark team). Thom has done a superb job of showcasing George Rogers Clark in this book. It's an outstanding read and could well set the reader on an adventure for more historical fiction from this fine author. Be sure to check out 'From Sea to Shining Sea' as well.
Rating:
Summary: simply glorious
Review: Now this is great historical fiction. After you finish racing through this book, it will stay in your mind forever. George Rogers Clark was a humane adventurer/soldier, one of young America's best in every way. In addition to painting him clearly, Mr. Thom succeeds in portraying the entire astounding accomplishment of Clark's forces in a way that will make your jaw drop. These people really did do these things! A great book.
Rating:
Summary: Long Knife
Review: This is the greatest non-fiction historical novel of the last two centuries. I will bring the incredible significance of this writing in relation to a Take Back of America as the Patriot in the near future. The incredible efforts of George Rogers Clark interact into present day perils for our country. ... soon the General will pop up in present day America.
God Bless America.
Rating:
Summary: Not a quick read, but well worth it.
Review: This is the second book I've read by James Alexander Thom. I love the way this author writes. Like the first book that I read, Follow The River, this book pulled me in and I couldn't wait to get back to reading it to see what happened next. Thom does a superb job in his research. I read the book over the Christmas holiday when I was travelling. After the holidays I happened to catch a History Channel presentation on George Rogers Clark. To my surprise, Thom was included among the experts that they interviewed. I would recommend that anyone who likes to read about history and have it brought to life in the story read this book. I can't wait to read another book by Thom.
Rating:
Summary: long knife
Review: this story shows how the efforts of "george rogers clark" contributed to the growth of this country. we are used to hearing about the exploits of the revolutionary war but not often do we get a chance to know what was going on in the northwest territory. this is one of the best books i have ever read that covers how important a part was played by what was happening there. i recommend this book as an excellent read and most informative.
| 
