People of the River

Thousands of years ago, small hunting bands crossed the fragile land bridge linking the Eurasian continent to the Americas and discovered a land untouched by humankind. Over the centuries that followed, their descendents spread throughout this land. Bestselling authors and award-winning archaeologists W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear bring the stories of these first North Americans to life in this magnificent, multi-volume saga.

In 1100 C.E., master astronomers, merchants, and engineers walked the halls of Mound Builder cities. From their multi-story palaces in the central Mississippi Valley, they governed a civilization that spread across all of eastern North America. Then climate change shook the civilization to its roots, and a mad God-King arose. The People’s only hope of survival rested in a rogue war chief who had betrayed his own people and a young girl who was learning to dream of Power….

W. MICHAEL GEAR, who holds a master’s degree in archaeology, has worked as a professional archaeologist since 1978. He is currently principal investigator for Wind River Archaeological Consultants.

KATHLEEN O'NEAL GEAR is a former state historian and archaeologist for Wyoming, Kansas, and Nebraska for the US Department of the Interior. She has twice received the federal government’s Special Achievement Award for “outstanding management” of our nation’s cultural heritage.

The Gears, whose North America’s Forgotten Past series and Anasazi Mystery series are both international and USA Today bestsellers, live in Thermopolis, Wyoming.