Here is the great romance of the American Indian, revealing in the swift march of its events the tragedy and the glory of a whole race, and the true essence of the West, as only Zane Grey can express it. It tells the story of the love between Nophaie, a young Native American (or American Indian) man and his love for and with a woman by the name of Marian Warner. Also Indian warrior Nophaie strives to maintain ancient and honorable customs among his people in the face of abuse and exploitation by whites in the early 20th century. The Vanishing American is about Nophaies struggle to find a place in society. On a larger scale it is about all Native Americans and their future in America.