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From Torture to Triumph: The Lost Legend of a Man Who Opened America: Guillaume Couture
Ambushed in the wilderness along with French missionaries, this early pioneer in America survived torture and captivity to become an esteemed advisor to the much-feared Mohawks and other Iroquois nations. Guillaume Couture’s remarkable life shows how fate, adaptability and courage can influence the course of history. His life story teaches us some very contemporary lessons about the power of faith, experience and openness to other cultures. From centuries-old source documents, Michael Fenn has pieced together the remarkable story of a young carpenter’s rise from obscurity to influence in 17th America – revealing the forgotten saga of an ancestor of thousands of Americans and Canadians.
108 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2015
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9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 8, 2019
Great read. My ancestors were one of the first French Canadians. I like to read about life back then. Couture lived an amazing life. My own relative Pierre dit la Perle was captured by the Iroquois.
July 27, 2021
Thanks to Michael Fenn, I was able to read about Guillaume Couture, a man who happens to be one of my ancestors. Reading this short book has helped me learn about the historical facts surrounding this man and his historical account of the beginnings of Quebec. This humble man of France was shaped by his times and seized the opportunity for a better life. A portrayal of how this man had used his unique tools and skills not only to adapt to his life in Quebec but to forge a better life for others in Quebec and greater Canada.
A thrilling page-turner!
A thrilling page-turner!
October 4, 2016
On-line reviews for paperback and e-book versions…
4 out of 5 stars
“The writing in this book is beautiful as must have been the land they found”
June 12 2016 By Francis Johnson (Alabama) - Review published on Amazon.com
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
"The writing in this book is beautiful as must have been the land they found. It is a story of someone likely not known to most readers, but the protagonist, Guillaume Couture, has a fascinating life. He lived a long life, probably unlike many of his contemporaries, and is the rare traveler to the New World, not trying to convert pagans. Fenn has obviously done a great deal of research and you get a strong sense of the day to day experiences of a strong character in a time and world far apart from our own.”
5 out of 5 stars
"An interesting and quick read.”
“The writing is clear and easy to follow”
March 1 2016
By The Splendiferous T - Review published on Amazon.com
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
"Inspiring story of a Canadian pioneer. Well-researched. The writing is clear and easy to follow.”
4 out of 5 stars
“Recommended by my cousin because it's an English translation”
Nov. 2 2015 By Jacqueline M. Cattabriga - Review published on Amazon.com
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
"Recommended by my cousin because it's an English translation. Interesting to read about my ancestor. Well written. I liked it.”
By Pat Moyle 29-Mar-2016 "Fascinating read about a previously unknown and quietly determined and influential historical figure who made a real difference....how Canadian! Very well researched and an enjoyable read….finished in one afternoon."
By Nicholas Schulz 23-Nov-2015 "Exciting and detailed biography of one of the first explorers to exemplify that truly Canadian ability to bridge cultures. A great read.”
By AM Kotowych 24-Aug-2015 "A concise and interesting historical biography that documents the relatively unknown story of Guillaume Couture, who travels to the New World and despite capture and physical hardship chooses to remain, using his skills to promote peace between the Indigenous Peoples and the Europeans. Enlightening read.”
By Neil Couture (New York State) 23-Jul-2015 "This is a very well researched and written biography of one of the most amazing men in American history. I read the entire book in a sitting because I couldn't put it down. A great book.”
4 out of 5 stars
“The writing in this book is beautiful as must have been the land they found”
June 12 2016 By Francis Johnson (Alabama) - Review published on Amazon.com
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
"The writing in this book is beautiful as must have been the land they found. It is a story of someone likely not known to most readers, but the protagonist, Guillaume Couture, has a fascinating life. He lived a long life, probably unlike many of his contemporaries, and is the rare traveler to the New World, not trying to convert pagans. Fenn has obviously done a great deal of research and you get a strong sense of the day to day experiences of a strong character in a time and world far apart from our own.”
5 out of 5 stars
"An interesting and quick read.”
“The writing is clear and easy to follow”
March 1 2016
By The Splendiferous T - Review published on Amazon.com
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
"Inspiring story of a Canadian pioneer. Well-researched. The writing is clear and easy to follow.”
4 out of 5 stars
“Recommended by my cousin because it's an English translation”
Nov. 2 2015 By Jacqueline M. Cattabriga - Review published on Amazon.com
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
"Recommended by my cousin because it's an English translation. Interesting to read about my ancestor. Well written. I liked it.”
By Pat Moyle 29-Mar-2016 "Fascinating read about a previously unknown and quietly determined and influential historical figure who made a real difference....how Canadian! Very well researched and an enjoyable read….finished in one afternoon."
By Nicholas Schulz 23-Nov-2015 "Exciting and detailed biography of one of the first explorers to exemplify that truly Canadian ability to bridge cultures. A great read.”
By AM Kotowych 24-Aug-2015 "A concise and interesting historical biography that documents the relatively unknown story of Guillaume Couture, who travels to the New World and despite capture and physical hardship chooses to remain, using his skills to promote peace between the Indigenous Peoples and the Europeans. Enlightening read.”
By Neil Couture (New York State) 23-Jul-2015 "This is a very well researched and written biography of one of the most amazing men in American history. I read the entire book in a sitting because I couldn't put it down. A great book.”
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews