Wilderness Empire: A Narrative [Hardcover]

Allan W. Eckert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1969

For over two hundred years no Indian force in America was so powerful and feared as the Iroquois League. Throughout two thirds of this continent, the cry of "The Iroquois are coming!" was enough to demoralize entire tribes. But these Iroquois occupied and controlled a vast wilderness empire which beckoned like a precious gem to foreign powers. France and England secured toeholds and suddenly each was claiming as its own this land of the Iroquois. Alliance with the Indians was the key; whichever power controlled them could destroy the other.

Wilderness Empire is the gripping narrative of the eighteenth-century struggle of these two powers to win for themselves the allegiance of the Indians in a war for territorial dominance, yet without letting these Indians know that the prize of the war would be this very Iroquois land. It is the story of English strength hamstrung by incredible incompetence, of French power sapped by devastating corruption. It is the story of the English, Indian and French individuals whose lives intertwine in the greatest territorial struggle in American history--the French and Indian War.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Allan Eckert has molded the raw facts of history into a moving, perceptive and penetrating narrative filled with the grace and pathos, action and beauty, humanity and savagery of which survival on the American frontier was all a part. A seasoned writer, noted naturalist and historian, he is author of The Great Auk, Wild Season, and The Crossbreed. Wilderness Empire is the second work in his great series "The Winning of America". The Frontiersmen, the first volume in the series, is the thrilling narrative of America's first major thrust westward. Watch for the third volume, The Conquerors, in 2002. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 653 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Company; 1st edition (June 1969)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316208647
• ISBN-13: 978-0316208642
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Allan W. Eckert, seven-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, has written 39 books, including his award-winning Incident at Hawk's Hill and The Frontiersman, plus numerous other historical narratives, novels and non-fiction works, as well as books for young adults and children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweeping Narrative of American History, December 30, 2002

By 

Aussie Reader ""Rick"" (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wilderness Empire: A Narrative (Winning of America Series) (Paperback)

Allan Eckert's story or "narrative account" as he calls it of the eighteenth century struggle between France and England along the current day border of the United States and Canada is hard to put down once started. The book covers the fighting between these two nations and their attempts to get the numerous Indian tribes in the region to ally themselves with one or the other European power, to the final detriment of the Indians.

I must admit that at first I was unsure if I would like this style of history but after reading the author's note I had a better understanding of what the author was attempting and how he used his sources to help produce the narrative. At one stage, early into the book, I did find the story bogged down but then the author's descriptive talent and the narrative pulled me back into the story and from that point on it fairly run away with me.

I found it hard to put the book down and I was really caught up in the characters, English, Colonial, French and Indian. This is a great and sweeping narrative of these hard and frightening times and the author does not paint a pretty picture when it comes to the manner of warfare practiced by the Indians and Europeans at that time and in that place.

I really enjoyed the story of William Johnson, a man previously unknown to me in American history. I also loved the account of the Marquis de Montcalm. In this alone I was happy to pay the price for this book. I really felt I had a much better understanding of this French soldier and his role in American Colonial history.

The author provides the reader with the true story of what happened at Fort William Henry and his accounts of the corruption of the French colonial system was an eye opener for me. I really enjoyed his descriptions of the people involved from both sides of the war and the accounts of the Indians and their practices, egged on by their European masters was at time quite horrific.

If you enjoyed the movie `Last of the Mohican's then I am sure you will love this epic book of the same period. In over 600 pages of engrossing and interesting narrative this book will take you back to those times and you can spend a few days lost in the history of the `Wilderness Empire'.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American History must read!, February 14, 2002

By 

tofuman215 (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wilderness Empire: A Narrative (Winning of America Series) (Paperback)

I knew little of the French & Indian War even though I grew up in OH and PA. If you lived anywhere near the Great Lakes and enjoy history, you will want to read this and the other Eckert "Narrative" books. The details were captivating, yet you never felt bogged down or bored. Since I knew little, it read like a great war novel. The politics between the Indians and French and English were very intriguing and thought provoking. The Native American tribes understood more than anyone gave them credit. Unfortunately for them, they were in a no win situation. I was also surprised with the brutality/torture by the Indians of not only the whites, but each other. Eckert does a wonderful job of explaining the culture that both permitted and encouraged this behavior. What amazed me was the apathy of some of the military leaders towards this. Great book, great read, enjoy!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Continuation, June 8, 2005

By 

Phillip G. Boyd (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wilderness Empire: A Narrative (Winning of America Series) (Paperback)

I read tons of books a year, but rarely take the time to write a review. Allan Eckert's "Winning of America Series" forces me to share my thoughts about this important collection. This is a fascinating narrative of the French and Indian Wars - a subject that was just touched on in my grade school and high school history courses. I was always curious about this time period in American history, but never happened upon the right treatment of this event. I stumbled upon Mr. Eckert's first book in the series and read that in record time (these books are lengthy and you could spend quite a bit of extra time reading through the end notes). I ordered the second book not knowing really what to expect - the first was very good and I hoped for the best. I was not disappointed. Mr. Eckert writes in a very easy to follow style that fully develops the many characters who bring this period of history to life. I highly recommend the first two books and look forward to completing the series soon.