Moon of Bitter Cold

“Outstandingly well researched and superbly crafted, each page of this riveting work breathes new life into a period and a people obscured by time.”—W.E.B. Griffin

Moon of Bitter Cold begins in 1866 when the Civil War has ended, but the war in the West, with its bloody collision of cultures, is increasing in tension and danger. As the U.S. army builds ever more forts on the Great Plains and into the Wyoming Territory, the Plains Indians raid, attack, and skirmish, but with little effect.

Then Red Cloud, a Lakota Sioux war leader, assembles more than 3,000 warriors, uniting the Sioux with the Cheyenne, Arapho, and Crow, in order to make war on the white man. This is the only war that the Western Indians ever win against the encroaching settlers.

Chiaventone brings these historical figures to life. Thorough and impartial, Moon of Bitter Cold is a major narrative about a critical period and its pivotal figures on a frontier that won’t know peace for decades.

Frederick J. Chiaventone is a novelist, screenwriter, military historian, consultant, retired cavalry officer and Professor Emeritus for International Security Affairs at the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College. With his vast experience in the field he has become an internationally recognized expert on guerrilla warfare, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping operations, and broadcast media.

Chiaventone also holds a Masters Degree in Film and Television Production from San Francisco State University and has written, produced and directed documentaries and news programming for the Department of Defense.

Chiaventone's novel, A Road We Do Not Know: A Novel of Custer at the Little Bighorn was published to rave critical reviews, won the 1999 William E. Colby Literary Award. His newest novel in the Lakota Trilogy, Moon of Bitter Cold (Forge) has just hit book stores world-wide.

In 1997 Chiaventone was inducted into the elite Colby Circle - a group of writers recognized for their contributions to public understanding of military and political affairs.