These Sacred Lands
These Sacred Lands by James Harold Kelly, published by Amazon Digital Services LLC on May 14, 2022, is a historical fiction narrative that explores the complexities of friendship and cultural conflict during a pivotal time in American history. Spanning 360 pages, the story unfolds in the aftermath of the Civil War, as the concept of “Manifest Destiny” drives settlers into sacred territories of the Lakota people, particularly the Black Hills. The novel centers on the evolving relationship between Shadow Hawk, a Lakota chief’s son, and Joshua Tremaine Mackenzie, the son of a cavalry officer, as they navigate the turbulent landscape of their time.
Readers will find a rich portrayal of the struggles faced by both Native Americans and settlers, emphasizing themes of valor, courage, and the harsh realities of war. The narrative delves into the tensions surrounding treaty negotiations and the impact of government policies on indigenous cultures. As Shadow Hawk grapples with the loss of his wife and the implications of an unwinnable conflict, Joshua confronts the moral dilemmas of his military orders. These Sacred Lands presents a nuanced exploration of friendship against the backdrop of the Great Sioux War, highlighting the personal and cultural stakes involved in this historical moment.
Official synopsis Publisher
Historical Fiction Company Five Star Award – Highly Recommended
“These Sacred Lands” is a story that captures the imagination, portraying valor and courage evoking empathy for cultures and characters.
When the Civil War ended, “Manifest Destiny” crashed upon the frontier like a massive wave, promising new life and a fresh start for thousands of settlers. The Black Hills, “Paha Sapa” to the Lakota, and the river region extending from the Bighorn Mountains to the Yellowstone River are sacred lands from which the native culture emerged. It is the land where the guiding spirits dwell. The Lakota watched the American migration with increasing concern, then anger.
Thousands of Indians gathered for treaty negotiations with the U.S. government and military representatives in 1869. A chance meeting of two adventurous youths, Shadow Hawk, the son of a Lakota chief, and Joshua Tremaine Mackenzie, the son of a cavalry officer, grows into respect and friendship over the turbulent years when they become men.
Shadow Hawk, a respected warrior and follower of Crazy Horse, believes, like most, that a significant defeat of the U.S. Army will drive the soldiers and the settlers away from the land for good. The Lakota will return to life as it was in years past. Over time, the realization that they are fighting an unwinnable war grows within Hawk. A future confined to a reservation is repulsive. Hawk’s wife was lost in childbirth, and he considers what would happen to his young son should the warrior fall in battle. He makes a momentous decision that surprises even Joshua.
Lieutenant Joshua Mackenzie, a West Point graduate and newly commissioned cavalry officer, carries out his orders to drive the Indians back onto the reservations. The brutality executing those orders concern him while he profoundly respects the tribes and his close friend. At the heart of the government policy is the Army’s total elimination of Crazy Horse and thousands of followers. Neither Hawk nor Joshua wishes to see the other across a battlefield, but both believe it is destined in the foreseeable future.
“These Sacred Lands” is more than a novel about a clash of cultures. It is a compelling story of two friends and two cultures, Manifest Destiny and the Great Sioux War, in which fate plays a cruel and deadly role too many times.
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