Mesa Verde

By: Gary McCarthy

Narrated by: Gene Engene

Two Colorado cowboys searching for strayed cattle during a harsh snow storm discover the remains of an ancient city built into the side of a huge cliff. It is the ruined city of the Anasazi Indians, a civilization lost for over a thousand years. This is the story of how Mesa Verde, the cliff city, came to be. It is A.D. 400 at the Animus river Valley in what is now Northwestern New Mexico, and Echata, the leader of the Raven Clan, was concerned for his people. They were starving because of the droughts and it was up to him to discover new lands with abundant food for his desperate people....

©2012 Books In Motion (P)2012 Books In Motion

A marvelous combination recorded history and imagined life.

The Mesa Verde world has been an obsession since a visit in September of 2023. The dreamed of discovery of such a place is no longer possible save for the pen of Gary McCarthy, and for that fantasy, I thank you!

Riveting

Mesa Verde was first discovered by white men in 1888. It is now the largest archeological preserve in the United States. Archaeologists call the ancient people who inhabited Mesa Verde, Anasazi from the Navajo word for ancient.

This is a heavily researched historical novel which is divided between the early white settlers trying to sell off artifacts and the archeologist trying to preserve the site. The other part of the story tells of the Raven Clan in about 450 A.D. It is a time of starvation from drought and the Raven Clan set out upon a perilous journey to find a mystical mesa where hope can be reborn. Echata is the leader of the Clan.

What I enjoyed most is the history McCarthy supplied via the story. Mesa Verde is a fascinating place. I would suggest reading this book before visiting; it would make the trip more enjoyable. Gene Engene did his usual good job narrating the book. I found the book while searching Audible for books narrated by Gene Engene. The book is about 13 hours long.