First Territory is altogether the most convincing piece of historical fiction I have ever read. The author, Richie Swanson, thoughtfully and realistically portrays the clash of cultures as the meetings between white authorities and Indian chiefs disintegrate into the Yakima War. The writing manages to be lyrical in spite of its straightforward telling, extracting images and emotions that endure long after the book has been loaned to a friend. It’s not for the faint of heart, but I’d recommend this novel to anyone interested in American history or the intricacies of human fallibility during times of great upheaval.” –Sue Ellis, Whispering Wind magazine, Issue #296, Vol 43 # 4, May/June 2015

”Author Richie Swanson spent nearly thirty years beginning in 1977 exploring Indian reservations in the Northwest and researching the People’s long traditions. He writes with carefully crafted original detail, painting word pictures that sometimes cause the reader to flinch. Swanson’s writing is bold and unforgiving, and some battle scenes are painfully revealing. The surprise, the sudden and fearful attacks and their aftermath remind us of all our years of human tragedy, war after war. Swanson’s writing goes deeper than an easy to read novel; he teaches truth along with entertainment. He really drives home what a gutsy, well-schooled novelist can do when endeavoring to rise above the average story-teller.” –Phyllis Morreale de la Garza, Chronicle of the Old West, December 2015

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RICHIE'S WORK...

NOVELS

Coming of age in hostile worlds

COAST FICTIONS

Short Stories from the Pacific Northwest

RIVER FICTIONS

Short Stories from the upper Mississippi

CREATION STORIES

Spirit Birds, the dawn of nature

BIRD CONSERVATION

Citizen Science, Advocacy, Articles

COLUMNS ETC.

Commentaries, Book Reviews

RIVER BIRD BLOG

A Field Season on the upper Mississippi River

BOATHOUSE LIFE

Memoir from a floating home