First North Americans Books In Order

Publication Order of First North Americans Books

Chronological Order of First North Americans Books

The “First North Americans” series is from the genre of historical fiction. The series of novels is written by a husband and wife duo named Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear. There are different protagonists in each of the books, and, for the most part, the novels stand alone. The first four form a bit of a linear narrative, but the later novels are a bit more spread out and are set in different times and settings, with no order to them.

Both of the authors are archaeologists, and they incorporate their knowledge of the subject into the writing of the books. They include new discoveries that have been made in North American archaeology. These include: the Kennewick Man being discovered and the coastal route model being developed. The authors have such an attention to details and for being historically accurate that this series is held in high regard as far as historical fiction goes. That being said, there is also some mystic elements too. These include shamanistic visions. Some of the protagonists from the early books in the series, return later on as figures of legend or as dream guides.

The novels are about various civilizations and cultures that existed back in the prehistoric days in North America. It begins by showing the people who migrated and would later be known as Native Americans. The struggle to survive in this world is the main focal point of the whole entire series.

Each of the novels have a prologue at the beginning of the book set in modern time where someone (either an archaeologist or someone else) discovers an ancient artifact or some kind of remnant that dates all the way back to prehistoric North American civilization. Then the main body of the novel covers whoever left the artifact behind.

The series began in the year 1990, when the first two books (which are called “People of the Wolf” and “People of the Fire”) were released. The series is also called “North America’s Forgotten Past”.

The protagonist of the first book, Wolf Dreamer (or First Man) becomes something of a legend in later books. The later in time the novels go on, the more alteration effect that comes with oral history is apparent to his story.

“People of the Wolf” is the first novel in the “First North Americans” series and was released in the year 1990. This novel is set in 13000 BC. It shows Siberian hunters migrating from Beringia to the state of Alaska. A man and a woman are thinking about having a child together. A group of Siberian hunters goes after some game across Beringia while the last Ice Age is going on. A young tribesman (first called Runs in Light and later called Wolf Dreamer) has a vision that makes him lead some tribes people in a rebellion. The rebellion is against the tribal shaman and happens down the Yukon River valley moving south. It goes into what is considered in modern times to be the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

Fans of the novel found this to be a great read; the characters are so engrossing that readers found that they were attached to them after awhile. These feel like real people that are in this book. Some found that they would think about what would happen next in the book after they had put it down. Some felt that they connected with the characters, and since they too are Native American, they were able to see parts of their heritage. This was a novel that painted a picture with the words that are used. You get into the people and how they progress through time.

“People of the Fire” is the second novel in the “First North Americans” series and was released in the year 1990. This novel is set in 8000 BC. It shows the Native Americans moving from the Paleo-Indian era into the Archaic era; which is a result of the Western Rockies and High Plains suddenly getting very warm. There are some big climate changes happening. During this, the Short Buffalo and the Red Hand tribes are fighting to survive and they fight each other too. They have to adapt to the world as it changes, if they want to survive. To accomplish this, they must get a new Dreamer. Red Hand’s sacred Wolf Bundle must be freshened up.

Fans of the novel found that they were hooked once again by this great book. Some found that this one was a better book than the first in the series. The series is rich, deep, complete, and compelling. It has more complex and endearing characters that make it seem as though you are reading about real people. These authors do a great job of drawing excellent characters and telling a story that will keep you glued to the pages of the story.

“People of the Earth” is the third novel in the “First North Americans” series and was released in the year 1992. This novel was set around 5000 BC. It is set in the Basins and Plains region, in what is now Montana, Wyoming, the northern part of Colorado, as well as Utah. It talks about the Uto-Aztecan migrating out of Canada. A woman is torn between two different people and two dreams. There are two men who love her, a third that just has to have her, and the vision that people have that is given to them by the spirit of the wolf.

Fans of the novel found themselves hooked on what was going on. This writing pair have crafted a great story that keeps readers interested the whole way through, once again. Some felt that as good as the others are in this series, this one is the best. There is a well put together story here. The authors do a great job at making their characters three dimensional and well drawn; these here in this novel are no exception to that standard that they have set for themselves. Even though these books take some getting used to and are not for everyone, some found that once the books get cooking, there is some great reading to be found here.

2 Responses to “First North Americans”

1. vicky: 12 months ago

   I loved the series!! Needs to be reawakened for todays readers

   Reply
2. Claudia Brooks: 3 years ago

   Thank you. Such a wealth of helpful information, particularly for this first time reader of the series! Good for you.

   Reply