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Storm Testament #7
Storm Testament VII: Walkara
The true story of the young savage from Spanish Fork Canyon who became the greatest horse thief in the history of the American West, the most notorious slave trader on the western half of a continent, the most wanted man in California, and the undisputed ruler over countless bands of Indians and a territory larger than the state of Texas, but his toughest challenge of all was to convince a beautiful Shoshone woman to become his squaw.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
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93 people want to read
About the author
Lee Nelson
117Ìýbooks28ÌýfollowersLee Nelson's historical novels have sold hundreds of thousands of copies since his first novel was released in 1981. Nelson has also published a score of non-fiction works including the top-selling Beyond the Veil series.
Nelson is widely respected for his historical research which includes killing a buffalo from the vack of a galloping horse with a bow and arrow.
Nelson was born in Logan, Utah, but spent most of his childhood in California. After serving an LDS mission in Germany, he earned a bachelor's degree in English and a Masters Degree in Business, both from Brigham Young University. He was a speech writer in Philadelphia and a car dealer in Montana before beginning his career as an author.
Lee lives on a small farm in central Utah. His hobbies include team roping, big game hunting, and finding and exploring ancient Indian ruins.
Nelson is widely respected for his historical research which includes killing a buffalo from the vack of a galloping horse with a bow and arrow.
Nelson was born in Logan, Utah, but spent most of his childhood in California. After serving an LDS mission in Germany, he earned a bachelor's degree in English and a Masters Degree in Business, both from Brigham Young University. He was a speech writer in Philadelphia and a car dealer in Montana before beginning his career as an author.
Lee lives on a small farm in central Utah. His hobbies include team roping, big game hunting, and finding and exploring ancient Indian ruins.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 11, 2009
I loved this book. My attention was held by all of the action, I was interested in the history, and my heart was taken by the love story. This is the story of a great chief of the Utes in what is now Utah. He was a warrior and one of the most accomplished horse thief. But he was chief at the end of an age. As he became a man, the white pioneers started coming across the great plains for trapping and trading, later the gold, and finally, the Mormons who settled in Utah. He was chief at a very troubling time and faced the end of his people's way of life.
Ultimately, it was a very sad story about the effects of the white settlers taking away native land and killing or scaring off the native game the Utes relied on. Their religious values and morals differed as well and those caused additional conflicts. Walkara dealt with these things in stride. He was proud and wishy washy and it is hard to tell if he handled things the best way possible. He did what he knew to do; he did what he could do.
Throughout the tale of his life and the death of his people's way of life, there is a love story as well. Without giving away too much, it was this love story that was at the heart of the story because despite what else was going on and affecting his people, Walkara was frequently motivated by his emotions of his favorite wife.
I will admit, I teared up at the end.
Ultimately, it was a very sad story about the effects of the white settlers taking away native land and killing or scaring off the native game the Utes relied on. Their religious values and morals differed as well and those caused additional conflicts. Walkara dealt with these things in stride. He was proud and wishy washy and it is hard to tell if he handled things the best way possible. He did what he knew to do; he did what he could do.
Throughout the tale of his life and the death of his people's way of life, there is a love story as well. Without giving away too much, it was this love story that was at the heart of the story because despite what else was going on and affecting his people, Walkara was frequently motivated by his emotions of his favorite wife.
I will admit, I teared up at the end.
March 15, 2012
Lee Nelson is a master storyteller, and this book is a great read. Like one of the other reviewers, I didn't think I would like the book, but I underestimated Nelson's talent for writing.
The book is about the great Ute chief Walkara. The book is not necessarily sympathetic to his customs, but presents him in a humanizing way. The reader learns much of Ute customs and of the courage of Walkara. More than this, the book is a gripping read, with constant action. And yet, its infused with a sense of humanity and spirituality despite some of its more disturbing graphic and violent portrayals.
The book is about the great Ute chief Walkara. The book is not necessarily sympathetic to his customs, but presents him in a humanizing way. The reader learns much of Ute customs and of the courage of Walkara. More than this, the book is a gripping read, with constant action. And yet, its infused with a sense of humanity and spirituality despite some of its more disturbing graphic and violent portrayals.
May 17, 2013
Walkara is a book all about the greatest horse thief in the world. Walkara is also the chief of the Utes. Him and all of his men make trips to California and the Spanish territories stealing horses. They became known as the greatest horse thieves of all time.
This is one of my favorite books and I strongly recommend that you read it. It is a very entertaining and descriptive book that will have you hooked.
This is one of my favorite books and I strongly recommend that you read it. It is a very entertaining and descriptive book that will have you hooked.
September 13, 2012
the chatrictor walkara is a yong filthy but handsome kind man a good son to his mother and man to others. he is a yong indian in his 20s his dark skin muscles and perfect cheek bones . the settiengs in the story are in the 1800s in saltlake city and wallnut grove and many other places. it is abut walkara and how his mother dies and he has many losses in his life through out the story he fights for his life and otherrs becomes an indian cheef steels horses hunts and ect. it is an awsome book i would definently recomend you read it
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June 7, 2010
This was such a fascinating book about a famous Native American in history. I loved reading more about their culture and their introduction to farming and moving over to make room for the "white man". This was probably my favorite book by Lee Nelson. Well, next to Rockwell anyway. :)
January 4, 2009
I usually don't like this kind of book, but found that I couldn't put it down. I found it very interesting. Partly because he is buried in Meadow Creek Canyon and that is where Grant is from.
April 5, 2011
definitely better than most the other books in the series(maybe with the exception of 3 or 1). but still i had trouble putting it in the same company as my other 4 star books.
May 17, 2013
I enjoyed reading about Walkara as one of the greatest horse thief. He was a Ute Indian and
the most wealthy ever. He was a good friend of Brigham Young.
the most wealthy ever. He was a good friend of Brigham Young.
May 18, 2015
When I was a young man this book series got me started on my road of loving to read.
April 6, 2015
One of nelsons better books. Can't recommend it enough for junior high age boys
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February 1, 2019Storm Testament VII: Walker by Lee Nelson Is now my all time favorite book ever. I loved this book because I felt closely related to this book because it was about my native people it reminded me of all the stories that my great grandpa used to tell me about his father. The only thing I didn't like this book is because it was hard to understand because it was written so long ago. The grammar and words they used were even older than when the book was published. Walkara was my favorite character because he is the con man I have always wanted to be he stole horses and I mean like 5,000 horses everytime they went to California. Walkara was also a very interesting book when they showed their faith by showing the Mormons their golden cave an allowed for the salt lake temple golden Moroni to be built.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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