Product Description

"Piper Campbell, the son of Ulster-Scott migrants befriends N’Kawa, the only survivor of the East Texas black Indian Karankawa tribe. As brothers, the two become inseparable. The horrors of the American civil war behind them, Piper and N’kawa, ­disillusioned and alone, sell their Texas estate and travel the seven seas in search of new land to rebuild their lives as cattlemen. Settling in Australia, the enterprising two seize an opportunity to establish themselves in Cooktown, a fledgeling port that would see tens-of-thousands of hungry miners pass through on their way to the rivers of gold in the Cape York Wilderness. There, they become unwilling participants of the first overland expedition from Cooktown to the Palmer River as protectors of the ostracised but resourceful Chinese. They soon find themselves involved in yet another war, this time as unwitting participants bearing arms against the local Aboriginals, known as the Merkins, a formidable and ferocious foe. In the events that ­follow, they suffer unimaginable heartbreak and loss. Graves in the Wilderness is a fast paced, exciting, brutal and often confronting novel. Rich in incident, compassion and frustration ... a novel that captures the essence of a by-gone era."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121954 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 378 pages

Customer Reviews

A Gritty Fictional Historical Novel
Wendy O'Hanlon, Queensland Provincial Newspapers

A gritty fictional historical novel that paints the ferocity of war in human hues. It's a robust story that ties in the American Civil War with the early pioneering-gold rush days of Australia. Both eras brutal and unforgiving. The bond between the two heroes - the young American and his Indian brother - is unforgettable as they survive so many hardships to carve a new life in Australia.

Mike from Queensland
When you start to read a book you know little about & quickly find you don't want to put it down, it's a good one. That's how I found "Graves in the Wilderness". J.R. Gordon had an interesting style and an even more interesting background. I hope he keeps writing.

Mike

Fierce and Fascinating
Graves in the Wilderness plunges readers into fast-paced historical adventure, vividly depicting the two heroes' journey through hardship and violence, as they travel from Texas to Australia. Gordon's storytelling is as fearless as the young protagonists.