Customer Reviews

Wilderness Empire

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While not as well known as "The Frontiersmen" and "A Sorrow in Our Heart", this is another of Eckert's best. This tells the story of the French and Indian War in North America, in particular, it follows the life and times of Sir William Johnson, the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs who nearly singlehandedly kept the majority of the Iroquois Confederacy allied to the Crown during a time of great crisis as they clashed with the French and their Indian allies for control not only of the Ohio Country, but the whole of the Continent. This is good history and it makes for great reading. What is really great about this book is that it captures the feel of a long forgotten time and brings to life events like the dramatic capture of Fort Niagara and the valiant struggle of the eastern woodland Indians to preserve their race in the face of two warring white factions. Great stuff.

Eckert is indeed a master story-teller. He recounts in a lively and readable fashion the complex history and personalities of the French and Indian war period, from Montreal and Quebec to Detroit, Pittsburg and Albany. As with his other books, he weaves the lives and actions of well-known figures with those who are less known, but no less important, in this case from Pontiac, Montcalm, and Benjamin Franklin to Sir William Johnson and many lesser chiefs of the Iroquois. Eckert's books are thoroughly enjoyable and highly accurate, an unbeatable combination.

Reads like a novel - keeps your interest throughout. Super coverage of what would become America, covering the French & Indian War years. Balanced overview of british, indians, french. I would recommend it to anyone who has a interest in American history and an interest in Indian cultures.

Mr. Eckert is a master story teller. His incisive, detailed accounting of the great battle for North America between Native Americans and European empires is pure American History. Yet, his book reads as an action novel! Eckert focuses on a few central characters and then broadens the canvass to create a poignant telling of the early American frontier. Eckert favors neither native or newcomer but instead presents in graphic detail, the pain, joy, privation, and glory of the struggle to change America. I strongly recommend this book to all with an appreciation of frontier history, but I especially refer it to those who normally would not consider historical accounts.

I've rarely read history, but Allan Eckert may have changed that for me. If you have an interest at all in early American History these novels make it easy to digest.

This is a must read for any American history buff. Not only does Eckert educate you on the struggles of the early American frontier, but he tells a story that is easy to follow, entertaining, and mind blowing. The gruesome fighting tactics, as well as the descriptive torture that is outlined time after time, often times made me have to close the book. It is amazing how graphic he can be but at the same time not over the top either. You will not read a more realistic or enthralling account of this time in history.