Abenaki Warrior: The Life and Times of Chief Escumbuit, Big Island Pond, 1665-1727 : French Hero! British Monster! Indian Patriot!

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Summary: Cautionary review
Review: Although Abenaki Warrior is filled with interesting information, I was appalled by the ignorant, racist comments that the author inserted throughout the book - comments obviously with no basis in fact. For example "...the Indian mind did not recogize such complex emotions as conscience and guilt." This and MANY other similar comments and insulting "conclusions" about "savages" etc. made it difficult to complete the book or lend any credibility to the factual information in it. A good, sensitive editor should have excised these remarks. The author should be ashamed.

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Summary: a fascinating story about our early colonial history
Review: England and France competed for control of the new world for more than 100 years. Caught in this mealstrom were the native americans who were destined to loose there land no matter which side they joined. Alfred Kayworth chronicles the life of Escumbuit an Abenaki Indian from the Pigwaset tribe living in Maine. Escumbuit, born in 1665, becomes active in the war as a French ally against the English settlers from 1688 through 1708 when he is wounded and retires among a group of displaced indians living on Big Island Pond in Southern New Hampshire. His adventures carry him from New Brunswick Canada down to Haverhill and Andover, Mass. His exploits and fame were such that the King of France , Louis XIV, brought Escumbuit to Paris, knighted him and gave him a silver sword and lifetime pension. He spent a year in Paris as a guest of the crown being wined and dined by the elite. He died in 1727. One of the islands in the pond is called Escumbuits Island.It is from this reference to the island that the author first encounters the name Escumbuit. His research resulted in a fascinating book, written in novel form, containing both fact and fiction. The Abenakis left no written record, but Escumbuits exploits as a French ally and an English enemy were such that there are documents written by contemporary individuals on both sides praising or vilifying him. The gaps in the historical record are filled in from the authors imagination, but are based on Abenaki culture as he came to know it through his research. He clearly delineates fact from fiction in foot notes and bibliography. He also peppers the book with facts not directly associated with the subject of the book, such as the aborted invasion of Boston and the east coast by a French fleet and army in 1697. The author does not preach or judge the charaters about whom he write. He tells his story letting events flow without coloring them with his 20th century cultural bias. I read the book in a couple of sittings, enjoying it from cover to cover. I wonder how many other stories like this are out there about this ignored part of our heritage.

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Summary: Review on a fascinating piece of American Indian History
Review: I am a really admirer of the American Indian History, and I am countinuosly searching for books and other material that can be useful at the purpose to find out any news on it; in this optic I have read with pleasure the Kayworth's book. Undoubtedly well documented from an historical point of view, the author does not limit himself to present the life of one of the most notable Indian War Chiefs, detailing with plenty of particulars the most salient aspects of it (i.e: his visit to the KING LOUIS XIV in France and his life as a ferocious Abenaki warrior), but, also, presenting him from a perspective dictated by his human being, his thoughts as an old man, as a banished by his tribe, and, above all a man near to his death having, at least, the consolation of his new family that love him. In add, I was struck by the real Escumbuit's friendship with the French official Marin,sincere and truthful; it is presented us also together with several imaginary dialogues that, nevertheless are trying to explain us two different worlds, two different thoughts that are doing their best at the purpose to perfectly understand each other. I absolutely recommend to read this book to all that are thinking like me that the Indians are the unique thing that they have to be: men with their emotions, lovers of their way to life and above all of their earth.