Ridgeline

A Novel

By: Michael Punke

Narrated by: Tatanka Means, Amanda Stribling, Michael Punke

Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

This program includes supplemental material read by the author.

The thrilling, long-awaited return of the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Revenant.

In 1866, with the country barely recovered from the Civil War, new war breaks out on the western frontier - a clash of cultures between a young, ambitious nation and the Native tribes who have lived on the land for centuries. Colonel Henry Carrington arrives in Wyoming’s Powder River Valley to lead the US Army in defending the opening of a new road for gold miners and settlers. Carrington intends to build a fort in the middle of critical hunting grounds, the home of the Lakota. Red Cloud, one of the Lakota’s most respected chiefs, and Crazy Horse, a young but visionary warrior, understand full well the implications of this invasion. For the Lakota, the stakes are their home, their culture, their lives.

As fall bleeds into winter, Crazy Horse leads a small war party that confronts Colonel Carrington’s soldiers with near constant attacks. Red Cloud, meanwhile, seeks to build the tribal alliances that he knows will be necessary to defeat the soldiers. Colonel Carrington seeks to hold together a US Army beset with internal discord. Carrington’s officers are skeptical of their commander’s strategy, none more so than Lieutenant George Washington Grummond, who longs to fight a foe he dismisses as inferior in all ways. The rank-and-file soldiers, meanwhile, are still divided by the residue of civil war, and tempted to desertion by the nearby goldfields.

Throughout this taut saga - based on real people and events - Michael Punke brings the same immersive, vivid storytelling and historical insight that made his breakthrough debut so memorable. As Ridgeline builds to its epic conclusion, it grapples with essential questions of conquest and justice that still echo today.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company

©2021 Michael Punke (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Amazing novel

Man this book was really well written and researched, not a ton of “liberties” taken following the actual events, and Tatanka Means was absolutely amazing on his delivery and captured all of the feeling/emotions as he was reading this story. 10 out of 10.

Engaging and gritty

A spectacular imagining of a formative even in American history. Michael Punke’s gripping story line moves crisply and effortlessly between wildly different perspectives and personalities. Wonderful narration and production from a great team as well. I devoured this; could barely stop listening!

I can only imagine

excellently done and narrated. Your mind takes you right inside this incredible story.
It's sad what Federal Army had done to Native Americans in the name of GREED (Gold)
The only promise kept by the US Gov to the Native Americans was "We will take your land"

Enjoyable Historical Novel

Very good listen. The author did a lot of research. I liked how the story was told by several different characters with various opinions of the circumstances. Narration was great.

4 star because...

This author is an incredible writer, has a vivid imagination , a wonderful user of descriptive words with the ability to bring you there.. Truly a most listen to. it's the VIRTUE signaling that gave me a hard time. . The Europeans were a jumble of weakness and debauchery, While the native tribes were complete In wisdom, honor and integrity. Never a despairing word spoken about another.

Good Book

I got this audible book after listening to Steven Rinella’s podcast. I was not disappointed. This is a great listen. I enjoyed the historical aspect of this story as well as the character development. I’m happy to say that this book doesn’t bog down at all; keeping me entertained throughout. I enjoyed the differing perspectives from the varied characters and felt like I could see the events unfold before my eyes, even while driving into work.

I think this book is a great listen for anyone interested in history or military history; even though it is fiction. It made me google earth Fort Phil Kearny and cruise around. And also started me thinking of how I could convince my wife to visit.

Great work!
3 out of 5 stars, wouldn’t change a thing!

Excellent read

Good attention to detail and character development on all sides. Michael Punke really outdid himself.

Violent but excellent

This is one hell of a novel. Gruesome, raw and brutal but it pulled me in and kept me in thrall. The writing was so detailed, I felt like I was there. Obviously very well researched.

This book deserves better production

Seriously. Audio abruptly cuts and starts again. Not sure how much was missed. Amateur hour over here. And the main performer as well. I get it. It’s the current zeitgeist. You’ll get cancelled if you don’t cast a native in a book that includes natives. Maybe have him do the native parts and an actual voice actor do the other parts. It was distracting. The story was great and deserved a better production than this.

great listen

I really enjoyed the book. The people who narrated did a great job. Author did a great job.