Books with author Devin Brown

Three powerful tales from the acclaimed chronicler of the American West—including the #1 New York Times bestseller, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Two profoundly moving, candid histories and a powerful novel illuminate important aspects of the Native American story. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: The #1 New York Times bestseller that awakened the world to the destruction of American Indians in the nineteenth-century West, Dee Brown’s groundbreaking history focuses on the betrayals, battles, and systematic slaughter suffered by Native American tribes between 1860 and 1890, culminating in the Sioux massacre at Wounded Knee. “Shattering, appalling, compelling . . . One wonders, reading this searing, heartbreaking book, who, indeed, were the savages” (The Washington Post). The Fetterman Massacre: A riveting account of events leading up to the Battle of the Hundred Slain—the devastating 1866 conflict at Wyoming’s Ft. Phil Kearney that pitted Lakota, Arapaho, and Northern Cheyenne warriors—including Oglala chief Red Cloud, against the United States cavalry under the command of Captain William Fetterman. Based on a wealth of historical resources and sparked by Brown’s narrative genius, this is an essential look at one of the frontier’s defining conflicts. Creek Mary’s Blood: This New York Times bestseller fictionalizes the true story of Mary Musgrove—born in 1700 to a Creek tribal chief—and five generations of her family. The sweeping narrative spans the Revolutionary War, the Trail of Tears, and the Civil War—in which Mary’s descendants fought on both sides of the conflict. Rich in detail and human drama, Creek Mary’s Blood offers “a robust, unfussed crash-course in Native American history that rolls from East to West with dark, inexorable energy” (Kirkus Reviews).

A Map for Life’s Unexpected Journey For generations, The Hobbit has been loved and shared by readers who thrilled to the challenges faced by Bilbo Baggins and a band of stout-hearted dwarves on a dangerous quest. Now Devin Brown teases out the themes woven into Tolkien’s timeless story, revealing life lessons about loyalty, selflessness, friendship, and dedication—lessons as precious as a golden ring. Discover these (and more) valuable truths from Bilbo’s journey—without the danger of being eaten by a dragon: • When Adventure Comes Knocking, Let It In (Even if It Makes You Late for Dinner) • Have Your Friends’ Back (Someone Has Yours) • Be Fond of Waistcoats, Pocket Handkerchiefs, and Even Arkenstones (Just Don’t Let Them Become Too Precious) "Devin Brown makes the labyrinthine world of Tolkien's Middle-earth easily accessible. He shows how a love of reading about dwarves, elves, wizards, and hobbits is also good for you." -- Charlie W. Starr, author, Light: C. S. Lewis's First and Final Short Story "Devin Brown has established himself as a leading scholar in both Tolkien studies and Lewis studies, combining thorough research and fresh insight with sprightly, readable prose." -- David C. Downing, author, Looking for the King: An Inklings Novel "Hobbitish charm and wizardly wisdom." -- Philip Tallon, author of The Poetics of Evil "Devin Brown’s uncanny knack for unpacking big ideas is incredibly engaging. He presents important themes in such a way that readers immediately realize they are learning something significant." -- Greg Bandy, filmmaker, director of C. S. Lewis: Why He Matters Today

Lessons on joy, friendship, dedication, sacrifice, and more will appealto Hobbit fans, parents, teachers, librarians, graduates—and anyonelooking for a creative way to explore timeless life lessons andimportant values of faith.Millions of fans worldwide have beenattracted to The Hobbit for its unique combination of high adventure andprofound truths. Tapping the excitement around the highly-anticipatedHobbit movie trilogy, Tolkien-scholar, Devin Brown, now presents afast-paced and easy-to-follow presentation of timeless spiritualmessages to help navigate your journey. Peppered with illustrationsthroughout, Hobbit Lessons offers troll-sized portions ofrelevance and regular nuggets of good Hobbit sense. The result is acollection of tangible bites of wisdom that are not only deeply movingbut also great fun.

“A fascinating story” of the railways that linked America from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (The Washington Post). Hear that Lonesome Whistle Blow unspools the history of the beginnings of the American railroad system. By the mid-nineteenth century, settlers in Missouri and California were separated by a vast landscape that dwarfed and isolated them, conquerable only by “the demonic power of the Iron Horse and its bands of iron track.” Although the building of the great railroad is commonly known as a story of romance, adventure, and progress, it also has a dark side, as profiteers decimated American Indian tribes, exploited workers, and destroyed ecosystems. Despite this, by the turn of the twentieth century, five major railroads would span the continent. This account vividly illustrates the railroad builders’ breathtaking skill, ambition, and ingenuity. . Brown compellingly tells a high-stakes tale, an exhilarating history that still holds lessons for today. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dee Brown including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

He was always so normal! Todd Farrel attends tiny St. Luke's Episcopal School in rural New England. Each year the sixth graders finish winter term with their big social studies reports. Wanting to make his report something special this year, Todd finally decides to write about mystical experiences something definitely not normal. After doing some research, Todd determines that he needs to have his own mystical experience. While practicing soccer with his best friend, Nitro, listening to an unusual teacher who encourages original thinking, and giving in to his curiosity about Leda, the intelligent but unusual (in Todd's opinion) girl from California, Todd discovers some pretty extraordinary aspects to life in his ordinary world. Not Exactly Normal is a book about being different and about fitting in, about accepting the differences of others and seeing ways that everyone is alike. It will challenge readers' assumptions and help them look at the world and their lives in new ways.

The improbable Civil War raid that led to the Siege of Vicksburg, recounted by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. For two weeks in the spring of 1862, Colonel Benjamin Grierson and 1,700 Union cavalry troopers conducted a raid from Tennessee to Louisiana. It was intended to divert Confederate attention from Ulysses S. Grant’s army crossing the Mississippi River, a maneuver that would set the stage for the Siege of Vicksburg. Led by a former music teacher whose role in the Union cavalry was belied by his hatred of horses, Grierson’s Raid was not only brilliant, but improbably successful. The cavalrymen ripped up railway track, destroyed storehouses, took prisoners, and freed slaves. Colonel Grierson lost only three men through the whole expedition. Rich and detailed, Grierson’s Raid is the definitive work on one of the most astonishing missions of the Civil War’s early days. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dee Brown including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

A fascinating history of women on America’s western frontier by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Popular culture has taught us to picture the Old West as a land of men, whether it’s the lone hero on horseback or crowds of card players in a rough-and-tumble saloon. But the taming of the frontier involved plenty of women, too—and this book tells their stories. At first, female pioneers were indeed rare—when the town of Denver was founded in 1859, there were only five women among a population of almost a thousand. But the adventurers arrived, slowly but surely. There was Frances Grummond, a sheltered Southern girl who married a Yankee and traveled with him out west, only to lose him in a massacre. Esther Morris, a dignified middle-aged lady, held a tea party in South Pass City, Wyoming, that would play a role in the long, slow battle for women’s suffrage. Josephine Meeker, an Oberlin College graduate, was determined to educate the Colorado Indians—but was captured by the Ute. And young Virginia Reed, only thirteen, set out for California as part of a group that would become known as the Donner Party. With tales of notables such as Elizabeth Custer, Carry Nation, and Lola Montez, this social history touches upon many familiar topics—from the early Mormons to the gold rush to the dawn of the railroads—with a new perspective. This enlightening and entertaining book goes beyond characters like Calamity Jane to reveal the true diversity of the great western migration of the nineteenth century. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dee Brown including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

Lessons on joy, friendship, dedication, sacrifice, and more will appeal to Hobbit fans, parents, teachers, librarians, graduates—and anyone looking for a creative way to explore timeless life lessons and important values of faith. Millions of fans worldwide have been attracted to The Hobbit for its unique combination of high adventure and profound truths. Tapping the excitement around the highly-anticipated Hobbit movie trilogy, Tolkien-scholar, Devin Brown, now presents a fast-paced and easy-to-follow presentation of timeless spiritual messages to help navigate your journey. Peppered with illustrations throughout, Hobbit Lessons offers troll-sized portions of relevance and regular nuggets of good Hobbit sense. The result is a collection of tangible bites of wisdom that are not only deeply moving but also great fun.