A conclusion to the series featuring Dekanawida the Peacemaker finds the growing League of the Great Law of Peace threatened by marauding warriors from the People of the Mountain, who Dekanawida urges to join the League to save their shared world. - (Baker & Taylor)

A conclusion to the epic series featuring Dekanawida the Peacemaker finds the growing League of the Great Law of Peace threatened by marauding warriors from the People of the Mountain, who Dekanawida urges to join the League to save their shared world. 40,000 first printing. - (Baker & Taylor)

A novel of North America's Forgotten Past

The epic tale that began in The People of the Longhouse draws to a close in People of the Black Sun, the final installation of the Iroquois quartet by award-winning archaeologists and New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear.

The darkness that Dekanawida has envisioned is drawing closer, and the warring Iroquois nations have refused to listen to his message of peace and compassion. Consumed by madness, Chief Atotarho is determined to subjugate all five nations—beginning with Dekanawida's own people, the Standing Stone nation. All who stand in his way will be destroyed.

It is on the field of battle that Dekanawida is given his first real advantage in his quest for peace. A great storm appears to answer his call, scattering Atotarho's forces when they are on the verge of annihilating the Standing Stone People.

Now elevated to the status of Prophet, Dekanawida must call on the aid of old friends Baji and Hiyawento to convince the hostile neighboring clans that the destruction of one nation will mean the end of them all. Can their mission of peace succeed in time to save everyone that they love, or will their world be consumed by darkness?

Kathleen O'Neal Gear is a former state historian and archaeologist for Wyoming, Kansas, and Nebraska for the U.S. Department of the Interior. She has twice received the federal government's Special Achievement Award for ""outstanding management"" of our nation's cultural heritage.

W. Michael Gear holds a master's degree in archaeology and has worked as a professional archaeologist since 1978. He is principal investigator for Wind River Archaeological Consultants.

Together they have written the North America's Forgotten Past series (People of the Morning Star, People of the Songtrail, People of the Mist, People of the Wolf, among others); and the Anasazi Mysteries series. The Gears live in Thermopolis, WY.

Booklist Reviews

The Gears, husband and wife archaeologists, conclude their People of the Longhouse quartet with an appropriately explosive final volume. Determined to extend the fragile alliance he has fostered among former enemy tribes, thereby preventing the probable destruction of the People of the Longhouse, Dekanwinda, the Great Peacemaker, together with his most loyal ally, the renowned Mohawk orator Hiawento (Hiawatha), attempt to convince the People of the Hills (the Onondaga) to accept the Great Law and join the Iroquois Confederacy. Standing in their way is powerful sorcerer and accomplished warrior Chief Atotarho. Rounded out with plenty of mystical elements and a great deal of historical and archaeological detail, the amazing story of the formation of one of the greatest and most respected Native American federations receives deservedly reverential treatment from the accomplished authors. Although this is the conclusion to one strand of their North America's Forgotten Past series, the Gears still have plenty of Native Americana left to explore. Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.