What do you think?
Rate this book
Captured by the Mohawks
183 pages Houghton Mifflin Company; First Edition edition (1960) English B000NZ52I2 Product 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches Shipping 11.2 ounces
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Paperback
Published January 1, 1967
54 people want to read
About the author
Sterling North
78 books87 followersThomas Sterling North was an American author of books for children and adults, including 1963's bestselling Rascal. Surviving a near-paralyzing struggle with polio in his teens, he grew to young adulthood in the quiet southern Wisconsin village of Edgerton, which North transformed into the "Brailsford Junction" setting of several of his books.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling...
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 2, 2021
"The howl of a wolf might be just that! But sharper ears could sometimes detect a note more sinister." Thus, Sterling North, author of the 1964 Newbery Medal winner "Rascal," starts his 1960 youth biography of the French-Canadian voyageur, Pierre-Esprit Radisson. In history, Radisson and his brother-in-law, Medard Chouart, Sieur des Groseilliers, are best known for their late 17th century explorations of the upper Great Lakes and Hudson's Bay regions which led to the founding of the famed Hudson Bay Company.
However, North's biography focuses not on Radisson's rather limited historical contributions, but on his adventures from age 16 to 24. The first half of the book relates his capture in 1652 by the fearsome Mohawks. Adopted into a chief's family to replace a son killed in battle, Pierre was showered with affection by his new family. Their love and support enabled him to narrowly avoid (maybe unjustly) execution. During his time with the Mohawks, he participated in one of their raids against the Eries (aka the Nation of the Cat of whom Lake Erie is named) which would make him one of the very few Europeans to encounter that people as a tribal entity.
The second half of the book relates two adventures that he made on behalf of New France. First, in 1657 finding himself part of a besieged French mission within the very heart of the Iroquois Confederacy. Then his epic 1659-1660 fur trading expedition to the western shores of Lake Superior where he and Groseilliers became the first Europeans to meet the Dakota Sioux. Radisson's young life was the stuff of movies!
North clearly loved his subject and liberally sprinkled his narrative with quotations from Radisson's own 1669 autobiography "Voyages" complete with 17th century spelling and grammar by a writer who was also not a native English speaker. The result is prose that can be confusing especially for younger readers. Still, what makes this biography so compelling is North's thrilling portrait of a young Frenchman's adventures with various Indian tribes and his terrific imagery of the untouched North American wilderness. The book is further enhanced by the wonderful although high romanticized illustrations of Victor Mays.
In sum, a terrific young reader biography that I've loved since I first read it as a 10 yr old living on the southern shore of Lake Erie who was interested in camping, exploration, and Indians.
However, North's biography focuses not on Radisson's rather limited historical contributions, but on his adventures from age 16 to 24. The first half of the book relates his capture in 1652 by the fearsome Mohawks. Adopted into a chief's family to replace a son killed in battle, Pierre was showered with affection by his new family. Their love and support enabled him to narrowly avoid (maybe unjustly) execution. During his time with the Mohawks, he participated in one of their raids against the Eries (aka the Nation of the Cat of whom Lake Erie is named) which would make him one of the very few Europeans to encounter that people as a tribal entity.
The second half of the book relates two adventures that he made on behalf of New France. First, in 1657 finding himself part of a besieged French mission within the very heart of the Iroquois Confederacy. Then his epic 1659-1660 fur trading expedition to the western shores of Lake Superior where he and Groseilliers became the first Europeans to meet the Dakota Sioux. Radisson's young life was the stuff of movies!
North clearly loved his subject and liberally sprinkled his narrative with quotations from Radisson's own 1669 autobiography "Voyages" complete with 17th century spelling and grammar by a writer who was also not a native English speaker. The result is prose that can be confusing especially for younger readers. Still, what makes this biography so compelling is North's thrilling portrait of a young Frenchman's adventures with various Indian tribes and his terrific imagery of the untouched North American wilderness. The book is further enhanced by the wonderful although high romanticized illustrations of Victor Mays.
In sum, a terrific young reader biography that I've loved since I first read it as a 10 yr old living on the southern shore of Lake Erie who was interested in camping, exploration, and Indians.
May 9, 2012
This book is the true story of Pierre Radisson, a French Canadian boy who became a hunter, trapper, and explorer. Sterling North did extensive research on this little-known explorer, whose exploits he deftly chronicles, beginning with Radisson's capture by the Mohawks when he was just a teen.
This is a very interesting glimpse into seventeenth-century North America, and I think any boy or girl who likes history would find this tale fascinating.
This is a very interesting glimpse into seventeenth-century North America, and I think any boy or girl who likes history would find this tale fascinating.
September 2, 2024
Written in 1960 by Sterling North, Captured by the Mohawks is true story of the French-Canadian voyageur, Pierre-Esprit Radisson. Radisson and his brother-in-law, Medard Chouart, Sieur des Groseilliers, conducted late 17th century explorations of the upper Great Lakes and Hudson's Bay regions (which led to the founding of the famed Hudson Bay Company).
The book begins with Radisson's capture in 1652 by the Mohawks and how he was adopted into a chief's family. Later, he made expeditions on behalf of New France, including his epic 1659-1660 fur trading expedition to the western shores of Lake Superior.
Throughout the book, North includes quotations from Radisson's own 1669 autobiography Voyages. The 17th century spelling and grammar could be confusing, especially for younger readers. Some of the "savagery" included might also be troubling for some readers. The book does, however, contain wonderful illustrations (by Victor Mays).
The book begins with Radisson's capture in 1652 by the Mohawks and how he was adopted into a chief's family. Later, he made expeditions on behalf of New France, including his epic 1659-1660 fur trading expedition to the western shores of Lake Superior.
Throughout the book, North includes quotations from Radisson's own 1669 autobiography Voyages. The 17th century spelling and grammar could be confusing, especially for younger readers. Some of the "savagery" included might also be troubling for some readers. The book does, however, contain wonderful illustrations (by Victor Mays).
July 7, 2018
Awkward, stilted because he constantly quotes directly from Radisson’s journals right in the middle of a sentence. Radisson is speaking in 17th century English. North is not.
Horrifying story at times. It’s a true story and certainly dispels any idea of the “noble savage” but it seems graphic for 9-12 year olds. He finds his friends scalped. He’s captured and very quickly (way too quickly) becomes family and has a great time. But then he escapes with an Algonquin after murdering three people. He’s recaptured and tortured.
P49 “It has been pointed out that no race or nation is without cruelty, and that Europeans of this period often tortured and burned men and women for political or religious reasons. Even Puritans of New England were not above hanging poor old women they called “witches.” However, seldom in the history of the savage human race have such diabolical scenes been enacted as those which might be witnessed year after year in the Iroquois villages. Those prisoners who survived were usually mutilated for life.”
Horrifying story at times. It’s a true story and certainly dispels any idea of the “noble savage” but it seems graphic for 9-12 year olds. He finds his friends scalped. He’s captured and very quickly (way too quickly) becomes family and has a great time. But then he escapes with an Algonquin after murdering three people. He’s recaptured and tortured.
P49 “It has been pointed out that no race or nation is without cruelty, and that Europeans of this period often tortured and burned men and women for political or religious reasons. Even Puritans of New England were not above hanging poor old women they called “witches.” However, seldom in the history of the savage human race have such diabolical scenes been enacted as those which might be witnessed year after year in the Iroquois villages. Those prisoners who survived were usually mutilated for life.”
January 1, 2011
Based on a true story, this wonderful book takes you all through the waterways and great lakes of the northeast.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews