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Quick answer: If you loved Follow the River, read James Alexander Thom's Panther in the Sky and Sign-Talker, then try The Light in the Forest, Lonesome Dove, Empire of the Summer Moon and Undaunted Courage. All tell frontier survival stories rooted in real history.
Thom's novel follows Mary Ingles, who was captured by Shawnee in 1755 and made a trek of hundreds of miles home on foot through the wilderness. The books below share that blend of frontier history, survival and conflict. Most are historical fiction or narrative history, and all are real, in-print books.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panther in the Sky | James Alexander Thom | Adult | more Thom |
| Sign-Talker | James Alexander Thom | Adult | frontier scouts |
| The Light in the Forest | Conrad Richter | Teen and adult | cultures in conflict |
| The Last of the Mohicans | James Fenimore Cooper | Teen and adult | classic frontier |
| Lonesome Dove | Larry McMurtry | Adult | Western epics |
| Empire of the Summer Moon | S.C. Gwynne | Adult | Comanche history |
| Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee | Dee Brown | Adult | Native perspectives |
| Centennial | James A. Michener | Adult | big historical sagas |
| Little Big Man | Thomas Berger | Adult | tall-tale Westerns |
| True Grit | Charles Portis | Adult | great narrators |
| The Son | Philipp Meyer | Adult | family saga |
| Undaunted Courage | Stephen E. Ambrose | Adult | exploration history |
| The Oregon Trail | Francis Parkman | Adult | firsthand frontier |
| Sacajawea | Anna Lee Waldo | Adult | expedition women |
| Shane | Jack Schaefer | Teen and adult | Western classics |
1. Panther in the Sky by James Alexander Thom
A fictional biography of the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Thom's most ambitious novel, long and detailed.
Best for: more Thom.
2. Sign-Talker by James Alexander Thom
The story of George Drouillard, a scout on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Rich in detail and adventure.
Best for: frontier scouts.
3. The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter
A white boy raised by Native Americans is returned to his birth family. Short and powerful.
Best for: cultures in conflict.
4. The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
Scouts and soldiers cross the New York wilderness during the French and Indian War. A classic adventure.
Best for: classic frontier.
5. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Two retired Texas Rangers lead a cattle drive to Montana. Epic, funny and sad.
Best for: Western epics.
6. Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
The rise of the Comanche and the story of Quanah Parker. Lively narrative history.
Best for: Comanche history.
7. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
A history of the American West told from the Native American side. Powerful and heavy.
Best for: Native perspectives.
8. Centennial by James A. Michener
A sweeping novel of Colorado, from its geology to the twentieth century. Long and rich in history.
Best for: big historical sagas.
9. Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
A man claims to be the last survivor of Custer's Last Stand. Funny and brutal.
Best for: tall-tale Westerns.
10. True Grit by Charles Portis
A fourteen-year-old girl hires a U.S. marshal to hunt her father's killer. Dry, witty and beloved.
Best for: great narrators.
11. The Son by Philipp Meyer
Three generations of a Texas family span the history of the frontier. Violent and absorbing.
Best for: family saga.
12. Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose
The story of Lewis and Clark and the first journey across the continent. Detailed and gripping.
Best for: exploration history.
13. The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman
An 1849 account of a young man's trip west. Vivid and dated.
Best for: firsthand frontier.
14. Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo
A long novel about the Shoshone woman who helped guide Lewis and Clark. Rich in cultural detail.
Best for: expedition women.
15. Shane by Jack Schaefer
A gunfighter helps a family of homesteaders. Short and classic.
Best for: Western classics.
How to Choose
For more Thom, begin with Panther in the Sky or Sign-Talker. For real history, Empire of the Summer Moon and Undaunted Courage. For perspective, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. For classic fiction, Lonesome Dove and True Grit. Some of these books use outdated language, so read with care. Frontier history is best paired with maps and primary sources. Look up the route of Mary Ingles on a modern map, and consider a visit to the places named in the book. Some of these older titles contain outdated terms, so a modern companion on Native history helps balance the picture.
Related: Virgin River Books In Order Printable List · The Frozen River Book Club Discussion Questions (With Summary and Themes)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Follow the River a true story?
Yes. It is based on the real captivity and escape of Mary Draper Ingles in 1755.
Where does the story take place?
From Draper's Meadow in Virginia to Shawnee towns in Ohio and back along the New and Kanawha rivers.
Was it made into a movie?
Yes. A 1995 TV movie starred Sheryl Lee.
Is it very violent?
It includes attacks and hardship but is mostly a survival story.
Is it suitable for teens?
Yes, for older teens who can handle violence.
Where can I see the real route?
Parts of the trail pass through Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio, and local historical societies keep markers and exhibits.
Did Mary Ingles really make this journey?
Yes. She escaped from a Shawnee town in Ohio and returned to Virginia after weeks on foot.
How long is the book?
About 400 pages.
Is it a good book for history buffs?
Yes. Thom researched the route and the period carefully.