| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Bookworm |
Posted - April 20 2006 : 11:36:49 AM
Charles Frazier, author of Cold Mountain, has a new book coming out on October 3. It's called Thirteen Moons, published by Random House, and is inspired by the true story of Colonel William H. Thomas, a white man who was raised by the Cherokees and fought for the Confederacy. (I read this on the CNN website yesterday, but the link I tried to post didn't work.)
Now here's the important part: A Cherokee chief named Bear plays a big role in the story. Carter, are you thinking what I'm thinking? Surely the movie rights to the second book by the author of a book as successful as Cold Mountain will be snapped up in no time . . . . |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Stephanie |
Posted - April 23 2006 : 09:33:47 AM
Rita,
Hmmm. Hmmm. Well I have to say that actor had not crossed my mind. But now that I think about it, you might be onto something. That is a VERY interesting selection and could be just about perfect. Hmmmmm.
The reason I picked Stephen Lang is because he has been in a number of period pieces and I believe can pull just about anything off. The reason he is not really a household name is because he is such a chameleon... you would not recognize him from one role to the next. He was Stonewall Jackson in Gods & Generals, he played Pickett in Gettysburg, and believe it or not, Ike Clanton in Tombstone. Here is a picture: http://www.nndb.com/people/815/000069608/ I think he is about the right age, too.
Little Will was a small man, arrogant and cocky at times, but the ladies loved him. I'll be okay as long as they don't get Tom Cruise to play the role!!!!
Hey Rita, when you are here for the Gathering, maybe we can sneak off for a minute and I'll show you where Col. Thomas is buried. It is near my house, about 20 minutes from your hotel. I'd be glad to take you there or give you directions. W.W. Stringfield is buried near Col. Thomas; he is another interesting character who plays an important part in Thomas' life and legion.
Check out this picture: http://www.bcooper.aaahosting.net/img41.jpg Col. Thomas is the center top, Stringfield is the handsome one in the top row without a beard. James Robert Love, my husband's ancestor, has the dark beard and is center bottom below Thomas.
Stephanie |
| rraffanti |
Posted - April 22 2006 : 8:41:14 PM
Hello Everyone:
I've been researching William Holland Thomas since I read Cold Mountain and saw that reference in the first part of the book where Inman is recuperating in that makeshift hospital and he is remembering Swimmer and wondering if he is fighting federals in William Thomas's Legion. That was all I needed to go to Google and find out everything I could about him. I ordered this book from Amazon and just received it in the mail yesterday:
Rebel Chief: The Motley Life of Colonel William Holland Thomas[Hardcover] By: Paul A. Thomsen
I haven't started reading it yet, since I just got it. From my very first reading about William Thomas, I knew his story would make a very compelling movie or TV miniseries. If I had the resources, I would absolutely produce it myself.
Stephanie, this is my choice of the actor to portray William Holland Thomas. Some may be shocked, offended or worse, but this actor is a real Southerner, and two years before he starred in a very popular dance movie, he played the lead role of Orry Main in the highly acclaimed 1985 Civil War TV miniseries, North and South, based on John Jakes' best selling novel, and was wonderful in it. He is now 53 years old, around the same age as Col. Thomas was when he was leading his Legion.
His name is Patrick Swayze.
Rita Raffanti
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| Stephanie |
Posted - April 21 2006 : 10:55:18 PM
I just re-read your message and it dawned on me who "Bear" is. Those of you who saw "Unto These Hills" with us at the last Gathering will know him as Drowning Bear, or Yonaguska, Will Thomas' adoptive father. Will Thomas is portrayed in "Unto These Hills" because of his role as an advocate for the Cherokee. Because Indians couldn't own land, he bought tracts of land in western NC in his name and allowed the Cherokee to live there. These tracts of land are now known as the Qualla Boundary.
Excellent idea about Drowning Bear, I do hope Carter reads this!
Here is more about Will Thomas, or Will Udsi as the Cherokee called him (meaning Little Will). I hope Frazier does him justice:
http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/exhibits/civilwar/explore_section4m.html |
| Stephanie |
Posted - April 20 2006 : 8:09:52 PM
My husband and I are big fans of Col. Thomas and live not far from where he is buried. He sounds like a very unusual and eccentric person; fascinating. When I heard about the book and thought about a possible movie, I tried to think of actors to play Thomas. The only one I can think of is Stephen Lang. Any other ideas?
Steph |
| paazau |
Posted - April 20 2006 : 8:05:23 PM
Thanks for that Bookworm. I'll make a note to watch for that one. Sounds like it could be a good read. |
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