Pre-Publication Review Excerpts:
“The
story seemed real and the humor on target . . .after several days I keep thinking about the story. It will always linger in my mind .
. . I loved this book!”
Vicky Druge, Makah Museum and
Cultural Center
“John Pappas engages
then immerses you into a North American culture shrouded in the fog of time .
. . the only
literary historical portrayal of the Makahs available . . .their reputation as the fiercest
of hunters and bravest of the seagoing people is legendary . . . acquaint yourself with a young man enslaved by an unknown people in
an unknown part of the world we now call Cape Flattery. An
adventure awaits!”
John Hagen, historian and
consultant to several NW tribes
“Very interesting and good
reading . . . a time I think it would have been wonderful to live in . . .
a great glimpse into the way native people lived, loved and protected their land and people.
Yvonne
Wilkie, Makah CRC, Language and Culture Teacher
“Considerable research is evident throughout
the book . . . Aidan and Squintanasis’ relationship is strong . . . provides a personal insight
into daily Makah life . . . it’s great you could put together such an enjoyable story!”
Helen Wilson, CowichanTribal
Council, Vancouver Island, B.C.
Post-Pub Reader Reviews
K.J. Baker, Monroe, WA June 15, 2009
Amazing new author found! I usually hesitate to read books from authors with whom I am not familiar
and was very pleasantly surprised with John Pappas’s When Wolf Comes. I enjoy reading about
Native American lifestyles but am not really excited about pure history. Though this novel is based on historical
facts it is presented in such an engrossing tale that I couldn’t
put it aside until I had completed reading the book. I had no idea that
our local tribes had such a rich and complicated society. I really would like to read more about
some of the neighboring tribes as well…plus this story must continue!
Robert E Brown, Russellville AR
September 9, 2009
I read When Wolf Comes, then I re-read the book. And the
second time was better than the first. An extremely good story, a wealth of detail, and the sense
that the author not only knows his subject, but loves the area. This is a really good book! Bravo, Mr. Pappas!
John Kenning, Bainbridge Island, WA June 20,
2009
John Pappas has written a superb novel. He has taken the pains to research in detail the life of Native
Americans of the northwest coast. His descriptions in the story are so well done, you feel you are
there experiencing the intricacies of native life. His description in the beginning of Aidan’s
experiences aboard ship demonstrate Pappas’s encyclopedic command of all things nautical. Given
the depth of research and the lyric ease of his writing style, you, as the
reader, are right in the middle of all the adventure Aidan is thrust into. I would recommend this
book to armchair historians of this period in northwest history, students
who want to read what it was really like, and people like me who love a well written story with
characters you really care about.
Terry Sheely, journalist/editor, The Reel News, Maple Valley, WA
Like Michener, Pappas skillfully uses his lead character to educate readers to the insights and foibles
of a region and in this case, a people . . . we see, taste, feel and experience what life
was like before . . . the story line weaves well throughout the book . . . spices his history
with suspense and infuses cultural information so delicately I'm sometimes surprised
to discover that I have learned . . . you'll find this book an intriquing
and rewarding read.
Leslie McMillian,
Alexandria, VA June 16, 2009
I loved this book! It’s a great story filled
with humor, love, friendship and respect. A very insightful look at the Makah culture.
The look into the day to day life, the celebrations, and the way they did battle
captures the imagination. I didn’t want the story to end and became so absorbed in the story
it stayed with me for days after reading it.
Roberta Davis, Seattle, WA
January 12, 2010
A well researched and accurate account of Pacific Northwest Native traditions and rituals
written in a way that allows the reader to be involved in the adventure. It was a fast-paced
journey of discovery and interesting and surprising historical facts about
the area where I live. Yet I must say the overriding enjoyment was I just loved the
story.
We welcome your feedback!
Please go to contact page to leave comments
Check
out Northwest Notes for more information
Some images used courtesy of Joe
Wilson, www.islandart.com
To see more great Native art please
visit their site.
To learn more about the Native Americans depicted in When Wolf Comes, please visit
their site at www.makah.com
Author's note: Readers have told me When Wolf
Comes reads like real history and events. Yes, nearly every
major event in the story actually happened.