Bloody Mohawk

The French and Indian War & American Revolution on New York's Frontier

By: Richard Berleth

Narrated by: Jonathan Yen

Length: 18 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

In this narrative history of the Mohawk River Valley and surrounding region from 1713 to 1794, Professor Richard Berleth charts the passage of the valley from a fast-growing agrarian region streaming with colonial traffic to a war-ravaged wasteland. The valley's diverse cultural mix of Iroquois Indians, Palatine Germans, Scots-Irish, Dutch, English, and Highland Scots played as much of a role as its unique geography in the cataclysmic events of the 1700s - the French and Indian Wars and the battles of the American Revolution. 

Patriots eventually wrenched the valley from British interests and the Iroquois nations, but at fearsome cost. When the fighting was over, the valley lay in ruins and as much as two-thirds of its population lay dead or had been displaced. But by not holding this vital inland waterway - the gateway to the West, "the river between the mountains" - America might have lost the Revolution, as well as much or all of the then-poorly-defined province of New York.

©2009 Richard Berleth (P)2018 Tantor

excellent

View of an obscure and often overlooked area of American History. As a people we often pass towns throughout America wholly devoid of knowledge collectively as to the experiences and origins of our fellow forefathers. This book does an excellent job of remedying this problem.

Spectacular telling of rarely told histories

So much history told here that escapes much of popular teachings. Stories of the earliest interactions of both parallel and divergent histories of the colonists and Native Americans. The brutalities that existed and lives lost as Europeans settled what was the homes of great peoples.

A painfully vivid, profoundly insightful history

Wonderfully detailed, gut-wrenching trip back in time; the major players as well as forgotten heros and miscreants are engagingly brought to life. Told with great compassion for the place and all its people. Highly recommended for students of colonial history, Native American affairs, or anyone with a family connection to the Mohawk Valley--made my own Palatine ancestry much more meaningful to me. Readers will benefit if they come to the book with a fair grasp of the larger story of the two wars, and the time line of events, as the narrative structure focuses in on a series of key characters and is not strictly chronological.

Must read for New York residents and history buffs!

The author does a great job of painting an unbiased picture of a tumultuous time in American history. As an upstate N.Y. resident I never really paid much mind to all the blue historic signs scattered throughout the area but now I find my self slowing down to see what they say. I have a whole new perspective on the area I live, Thank you!

Slow start, but WOW it picks up. Great history of Indian and colonists, especially during American War of Independence.

Slow start, but stick with it, well worth the time. A great history of the New York region packed with interesting characters and their stories, both heroes and villains.

Fabulous Mohawk!

This book puts you in the time and place of America’s foundation. You meet the people. Witness events. Experience the beauty and harsh brutality of a conflict of civilizations against the backdrop of a beautiful landscape

Interesting perspective

The book paints the complicated history of a region and people worthy of understanding America more fully

Indian studies. 101

I wanted a story not a college course. I wasn't sure if I should be writing stuff down for a quiz later.

A good book

Its a pretty good story but I'd hoped there would be a better look at the town and village level. The impact of even small raids and battles was devastating to the small stakeholders. Their hardships and victories are the true measure of the times. Still, it's a good look at the players, politics and conflicts that would shape the nation to come.

A very good Read…

Very thorough and researched. Objective as well. A very good read for those who are interested in history and specifically the history during the French and Indian war and revolution.