Readers will get to know the story of Erik Larson, a 12-year-old Swedish boy who becomes orphaned and must adapt to the Sheepeater life or perish. Separated from his sister, his parents dead, Erik knows he must survive to an age where he is physically able to set out across the Idaho wilderness to seek his sister. He is conflicted with his beliefs, especially when he realizes he is drawn to a Sheepeater girl a year older than he is. To become a man, he endures an arduous vision seeking.
Dorris shares that many of the lessons being taught to and learned by a Sheepeater boy are relevant to today's youth. "The same coming-of-age struggles exist today," he adds. "Love, life, death, are the same today as they were 150 years ago."
Through the book, Dorris hopes that readers will gain a greater appreciation for the Sheepeaters' way of life. He also wished that the readers would develop an understanding that they are part of this heritage, good or bad, and an understanding of the diverse cultures and ways for making a living that are part of America today.
"Sheepeater: To Cry for a Vision"
By Joseph Dorris
Hardcover | 6x9 in | 370 pages | ISBN 9781532047008
Softcover | 6x9 in | 370 pages | ISBN 9781532045318
E-Book | 370 pages | ISBN 9781532045325
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Joseph Dorris, born on 1952, has been a prospector, writer and artist since a child in McCall, Idaho where he grew up. As a youth, he was a Nordic skier and avid outdoorsman. He learned of the Native Americans, Chinese and pioneer miners from talking with the old timers while just a kid. He graduated the US Air Force Academy and served active duty for 20 years. After retiring, he taught high school biology and earth science and coached soccer. He then turned his hobby of prospecting into his current business of mining mineral specimens. His wife, Susan, and three adult children all help with the business. They were recently featured on the Weather Channel's television series Prospectors which was partially produced on his mining claims in Colorado. Currently, he resides in Colorado Springs where he continues his lifelong interests.
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