The Firekeeper: A Narrative of the Eastern Frontier

by Robert Moss

A story of love and adventure in colonial America at the time of the French and Indian Wars, this epic novel tells of a forgotten giant of the American frontier, Sir William Johnson, chieftain of the Mohawks and King George's Colonel of the Six Nations--the man who saved the British colonies by convincing the Indians to fight against the French. HC: Forge.

Genres: Historical Fiction

688 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[J.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the mode of James Michener, The Firekeeper traces the histories of two families through a generation, from early 1700s to the Seven Years War (1756-63). Moss draws on many real sources to bring that era and colonial America to life, not just for the settlers, but for the French and Canadians and many of the nations of natives. It's a lifelike and revealing account that weaves storytelling into true history. Great read!

[Seajay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy historical fiction and tales of Native American tribes, this one is for you. At times gruesome, at times mystical, it is essentially a story of one man and his many loves: one main spirited woman with more pluck than most, his love for adventure, dominance, dignity and alas, many more women.

Moss, an historian, did a stellar job of bringing the early days of our nation's struggle to vivid life. I was surprised that the native warriors were so vain!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Firekeeper focuses on the life of William Johnson, a leading British agent who traded and negotiated with the Iroquois in the New York frontier before, during and after the French and Indian War. Moss does a great job of fully immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of settler cultures (English, French and Dutch) as well as the Mohawks. He also conveys Mohawk spirituality and customs in vivid ways, almost crossing the line into magical and mystical elements but not so much that I would consider this a "historical fantasy."

The characters are fully developed, understandable yet authentic to the period. Moss skillfully weaves several subplots together to achieve suspense across the story's epic scale. I'd recommend it most of all, though, for the feeling of verisimilitude and sensory detail.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a beautiful narrative of the years leading up to the French and Indian Wars. More, it is the story of people who lived the period in what is now upstate New York and Canada. The relationships among the varied cultures is the powerful glue to this book. It is not a history lesson per se. It is more true than the history because it is the story of human existence. If you love history, especially history of the early years of European presence on this continent, I think you will really like this. If you are interested in reading about the depths of human connections, you will love this.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was...OK. I did not feel much for the characters, but I learned a lot of really interesting history about the settlement of the Hudson Valley.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on NYS in the 1700's, historic novel with mystic twist. Always nice to see Mexico, NY mentioned in a book.