PEOPLE OF THE RAVEN
By Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear

"People of the Owl…cements the Gears' place in Jean Auel's genre of prehistoric fiction."
—Romantic Times Book Club (4 stars)

NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK!

“So, who were the first people to arrive in North America?” This is just one of the questions archaeologists and bestselling authors Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear ponder in the “Afterword” of their newest prehistoric North American novel, PEOPLE OF THE RAVEN (A Tor Paperback: $7.99; August 15, 2005). They explain, “This question has tantalized archaeologists for over a century, but we are only now just beginning to piece together the answer.”

Renowned for their thorough research and ability to paint an absorbing portrait of ancient life, the Gears are the bestselling authors of a series of prehistoric novels, including People of the Owl (Forge mm 6/2004) and People of the Masks (Forge mm 1999), which are both entertaining and profound. Their latest novel, PEOPLE OF THE RAVEN, is no exception.

Using the controversial case surrounding the remains of Kennewick Man as a springboard, the Gears delve into a myriad of issues that could be ripped from today’s news headlines, including:

  • Religion vs. scientific research
  • Geographic genocide
  • Slavery
  • Cataclysmic changes in the environment
  • The power of nature
  • The effect of spirituality on civilizations

When the remains of a Caucasoid male were discovered in the eroding bank of a river in Kennewick, Washington in 1996, it was assumed that he was a White pioneer from the 19th century. But further investigation indicated that the remains, amazingly, were over 9,000 years old! The fact that these ancient remains had strong Caucasoid traits, rather than Mongoloid, shed new light on the complexity of human immigration to the western hemisphere and ignited a controversy that may affect the future of paleoanthropology in the United States. A fight over the remains ensued, pitting Native Americans, who want to bury Kennewick Man, whom they believe is their ancestor, without further study, against scientists who maintain that study is imperative if we are ever to understand the rich "melting pot" history of America.

Masters of the prehistoric fiction genre, Kathleen and Michael Gear deftly blend scientific fact with their trademark dramatic narrative in PEOPLE OFTHE RAVEN, creating a haunting and intricate story surrounding Kennewick Man.

It’s 9,300 years ago in what is now known as the Pacific Northwest, and the earth is going through cataclysmic changes. The glaciers are melting and fresh water is flooding into the ocean, killing the sea life mankind relies on for survival. The North Wind People have long demanded that the Raven People pay them tribute by giving them food in exchange for valuable knowledge. But the burgeoning population threatens to overtake the land, causing a severe shortage of resources.

When a young North Wind woman stumbles into Sandy Point Village, a Raven settlement, she sets in motion events that will change the course of history. Rain Bear, the war chief of Sandy Point Village, is a conflicted man. After learning that the woman is an escaped slave from the North Wind People, he feels compelled to offer her sanctuary. But doing so will cause the North Wind People to attack. If he sends her back, however, he knows the woman will be tortured and perhaps even killed.

The Raven People must form an alliance against the North Wind People if they hope to survive annihilation. Rain Bear is a born leader, and only he can rally the Raven People. But can he keep the Raven clans allied despite old blood feuds—long enough to prevent the world from exploding into warfare?

With compassion and consideration, Kathleen and Michael Gear explore the fate of ancient mankind in THE PEOPLE OF THE RAVEN, the newest novel in their highly successful First North American series.

Talking Points

Both Kathleen and Michael Gear are smart, articulate, and possess a wealth of intriguing information. They also have an amazing ability to make science and history accessible to the public in both a meaningful and powerful way.

The Gears can discuss what scientists hope to learn by studying the remains of Kennewick Man:

  • DNA: Where did he come from? Who were his relatives? Are any alive in America today?
  • How did he die? The study of diseases, trauma, and other physical disorders observed in the bones give us clues about what killed him.
  • What was his life like? Residue in the bone can tell us about the quality of his life, what the major components of his diet consisted of, e.g. fish or red meat? Roots and tubers or grains? Did he suffer from malnutrition? Was he beaten often? Was warfare going on?
  • What does he tell us about the three racial groups that settled the Americas? Caucasoids, Australoids, and Mongoloids coexisted in the Western Hemisphere ten thousand years ago. How did they get here? When did they arrive? Did they interbreed? Did they wage war upon each other?

Some of the provocative topics the Gears can also discuss include:

  • Separation of Church & State: Do certain racial or ethnic groups have the right to certain archaeological sites?
  • Do some religions in America have precedence over others?
  • Is archaeological research on ancient human remains more important than Native American rights to the return and reburial of their dead?


Visit the Gears at www.gear-gear.com for more information about their books and their buffalo!

PEOPLE OF THE RAVEN
 By Kathleen O’Neal Gear & W. Michael Gear
A Tor Paperback
$7.99/576 pages
Publication date: August 15, 2005

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