Lesley has created a stunner of a book about the Nez Perce Indian tribes of the Northwest US.

Danny Kachiah participates in rodeos, fishes, hunts and does other odd jobs to earn a meager wage. He lives a modern life but when his son, Jack, relates how a whistling sound helped save him from an of out of control fire, Danny, skeptical at first, soon sees visions and hears sounds he believes are true signs from the past.

Memories of his ancestors’ lives are the universal stories of tragedy, treachery, pain and loss suffered by Native Americans at the hands of the American government, white pioneers, other Indian tribes, and the brutal environment – and tales of love, loyalty, bravery and sacrifice within each tribe, and tribal nation.

Danny gains respect of Nez Perce history and customs: songs, dances, ceremonies, rituals along with the spells and wisdom of medicine doctors and others.

River Song is a beautiful book about reconciling our histories with our modern lives. ( )

Follows Danny, a Native American, as he wanders through the Columbia River area in search of... well I am not sure. Characters were fitfully pulled together and the flow - especially in respect to time - was jerky and difficult to follow. ( )