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The book is historical fiction. It is framed around one of the great western explorers of our country's history. The story of Jedediah Smith has been chronicled well by historians but no one has fleshed him out. I have long been fascinated by his character as well as his monstrous achievements of exploration. He was without doubt the dominant figure in early mountain man history, but I suspect that because of his strong Christian principles those who wrote history have been afraid to pursue his real story. He was known as a praying man who carried a Bible in his saddlebags. He avoided profanity, nor did he use alcohol or tobacco. This strength of character must be viewed against the backdrop of some of the roughest men of his time and in perils of life. Yet these same men followed him to the ocean and back, depending upon his leadership and an almost uncanny sense for the answer to crises that arose.

My desire is to develop and show this strength of character through the eyes of another, a fictional person who tells Jed's story through the experiences they shared together. This "teller of the tale," overcome with grief from the brutal murders of his family in the eastern mountains of what is now North Carolina, comes into the life of young Jedediah. The young man, Clark, is obsessed with revenge and wounded severely, himself. He and his friend, Enos Lanning, have set out to track the murderers and Clark is almost killed in the encounter. The Smith family enters the story at this time and their gentle faith and care for the wounded Clark cements a powerful bond, especially with young Jedediah.

The book is the development of that fictional friendship in order to tell the story of Jedediah Smith. Events that relate to Jed are told as truthfully as history reveals. In the relationship of the three young men the character of Jedediah is brought to bear upon the intense feelings of revenge in the heart of Clark. It is a battle in his soul but the book is the tale of a man dealing with the cancer of revenge. In the end the powerful example of Jedediah Smith wins that war.

My subtitle, "A Tale of Revenge" authorizes the story. I feel that the book is a powerful look into what it can do to the human soul, and argues for the Biblical injunction, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord." The book is violent, but does not use profanity. It is not a tale of sexual passion. Jedediah was a clean living and thoroughly Christian man who lived in a violent time. He was a leader of violent men and commanded their unwavering respect.

I am writing toward those who have an interest in our western history, but who enjoy getting to know the heroes of that history. I hope the book will appeal to those who struggle with deep emotions of anger, resentment and revenge. It could appeal to a somewhat young audience also.

John C. Herrington