West of the Alleghenies: A Story of Survival during the Revolutionary War (The Moorheads)

If you like historical novels based on true-life frontier adventure in the early years of the American Revolution, Craig Pennington’s “West of the Alleghenies” is a must read. In this well-written, carefully researched historical drama, the author takes readers back in time putting them right in the middle of the back drop of the fight for independence history books don’t usually include. Pennington’s narrative of the conflicts between the Red Coats “Lobster Backs”, Iroquois Indians and American patriots paint a realistic picture of harrowing exploits of Fergus Moorhead, a farmer in western Pennsylvania, who is captured by Iroquois warriors and is reluctantly pulled into the British invasion of New York as troops under Brigadier General St. Leger advance from Canada towards Fort Stanwick and the bloody battle at Oriskany. Vivid descriptions provide readers with an insider’s view of the British attempt to split the colonial Continental Army by St. Leger linking up with General Burgoyne and his Indian allies moving up the Richelieu River into Lake Champlain and Lake George and down the Hudson towards Albany. This fast-paced story is believable showing the realities of a civil war with sympathetic characters torn between their loyalties to the English King and their desire for independence. The portrayal of the Mohawk Chief, Joseph Brant and the Seneca Chief, Cornplanter, reflects the nuanced complicated relationships of the Iroquois people as they struggled with shifting alliances on the American frontier based on what was best for the welfare and survival of their own people. A map and a very useful appendix places the narrative within an historical context by providing some background on the main characters and locations mentioned in the book together with a brief historical note explaining how the author wove together fictional accounts with what is known in history about the real Fergus Moorhead. It’s easy for me to highly recommend this book.R. Duncan Mathewson III Ph.D.

What do we want to read during a pandemic lockdown? Obviously, a novel that wanders wide-open spaces, with a hero who's much worse off than we are. "West of the Alleghenies" fits the bill. It's sort of a cross between "The Last of the Mohicans" and "The Revenant." Fergus Moorhead, a real historical figure, set off for the Pennsylvania frontier hoping for the peaceful life of a farmer and family man. But with the outbreak of the Revolution, he joined the Patriots' militia. He was captured by Indians, traded to the British, and ended up in one of their notorious prison ships in New York harbor, a fate few Americans survived. But, as the author shows, Fergus is no ordinary man. He is a sympathetic hero, calm, stoical, and touchingly faithful to the wife he fears he may never see again. Most importantly, he is gifted with a knack for making good friends in bad situations. During his adventures he meets many intriguing characters, some of them real, like Lizzy, a brave Patriot who helped Americans escape British captivity. He witnesses real events, including the first raising of an American flag at the battle of Fort Stanwix, the bloody Battle of Oriskany, and Lafayette's defense of Washington against his critics, Adams and Hamilton. The author avoids clichés in depictions of Indians and the credulity-stretching sensationalism of too many historical novels. There's plenty of action, though, like an escape by stolen canoe across Lake George. This is a well-researched novel with plenty of footnotes to interest the historically-minded.

a great book. Engaging and inforative.

This is one non-stop great read. Don't be surprised when it comes to the silver screen. Fergus and Jane Moorehead's journey from the safety of east coast colonial Pennsylvania to the wilderness lying "West of the Alleghenies" granted to the colony of Pennsylvania after the French and Indian War is epic. It has everything, undying love, pioneer homesteading, the ever present danger of Indian attacks, an incredible journey of one man taken as a prisoner by the Indians, then sold as a prisoner to the British, 4 harrowing escapes and oh yeah, along the way, Fergus survives the battle of Oriskany, escapes and then stumbles into a revolutionary war conspiracy to escape once more. This book is well researched and I really enjoyed the historical terminology and historical footnotes contained in the appendix. There is also a nice map showing the journey of Fergus and Jane.

A well-written page-turner that has the added attraction of being entirely plausible history. I never heard of most of these events in the week or so devoted to US Revolutionary War in my history classes (taken about a million years ago), particularly the participation of the Indian Nations. It was a treat to read, with the dialog being true to the ear and the details so well researched. Plus the story itself was engrossing with plot twists and a wonderful sense of place. You can tell that Pennington spent time living in and observing the countryside with an intimate eye, while listening to the stories of his family that give the book such a rich texture.This is the second novel by Pennington, and both have been very well written but this second effort was even better than the first. Looking forward to many more books from him.

I really enjoyed West of the Alleghenies. The abstract historical events we know & often reference, are brilliantly put in the context of people that lived them, bringing out the human aspect & struggles of that time.There was a lot that stuck with me as I read the book, specifically the hardship, sacrifice and heartbreak that accompanied the early settlers & revolutionaries, contrasted with the ease & convenience of our modern lives.Great read. Grabs and holds your attention.