Wilderness Empire

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.

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.

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.

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.