Outrageous Interlude: The Battle's Aftermath

Outrageous Interlude, the fifth book in Richard Patton’s “Neophyte Warrior” series, picks up immediately where Massacre at the Forks ended – the weeks immediately following the Monongahela battle. Whereas the previous book emphasized the battle, with most of the action contained within a single day, this part covers the rest of 1755 and all of 1756. In the months after the British defeat, the French take a passive role while the victorious Indians run rampant, raiding and killing settlers on the frontier. Meanwhile, George Washington has “retired” and decided to become a farmer. His friends must convince him of a need to rejoin the Virginia military to help stop the slaughter.

Finally the Stump Neck plot, minimized to only a scene or two per book for the last few parts, returns; some story points make a full circle back to Stump Neck’s true identity as Pariah West. An encounter between Old Smoke’s traveling entourage and Stump Neck’s raiding band makes for some excellent page turning adventure. Indeed, the enlarged role for Stump Neck in this story reveals more about this mad-man, even as it places him at an appropriate point in the overall story (the raiding bands of the wild frontier in 1755). He really didn’t belong in the earlier books, which dealt primarily with George Washington and the British and colonial soldiers; but the dangling Stump-Neck plot from these earlier parts finally enhances the overall series.

As with previous books, Outrageous Interlude includes some obscene language and crude, bawdy remarks (from the raiding French and Indian characters). This book in particular deals also with the savage cruelty of the Indians against innocent settlers, and gives some rather graphic depictions of torture, told through several brief episodes of various settlers and their fates. Outrageous Interlude does not sweeten the truth, but tells it realistically.

Outrageous Interlude does a great job of blending great historical research with an interesting story. As part of the “Neophyte Warrior” series, this part holds up as well as the earlier ones, showing the same appreciation for historical accuracy and character development.

Massacre at the Forks: George Washington in 1755

Book 4 in Richard Patton’s ongoing “Neophyte Warrior” series continues the on-going adventures of young George Washington, and his involvement in the French and Indian war. The story is now up to the summer of 1755, and tells the details of the Battle of Monongahela on July 9, a disastrous military defeat for the British – who cannot adapt to the French and Indians’ battle style. This crucial battle, fought a few miles from the French Fort DuQuesne (modern-day Pittsburgh, PA), caused a major setback for the British during the French and Indian war.

Most of the characters from the previous books are back – at least all the ones that participate in the battle, on both sides of it. George Washington himself is actually a minor part of the overall story – still an aspiring young military leader, now aide-de-camp to Braddock but not a major player in the struggle.

The author expertly describes all aspects of the battle, both through the various characters as well as direct narration from the unseen writer. Factual details are included, along with dialog to expand the stories, including the role of Tom and Joe Fausett in the slaying of General Braddock. From the French and Indian perspective, we read with amazement how inadaptable the British leaders were -- so stubborn in their beliefs that they must only fight with the tried and true British tactics, so stuck in that way of thinking that they fail to realize their own defeat – and conclude along with the author that the British pride led to their downfall.

Old Smoke is back, offering good perspectives from his mixed background of Jesuit Catholic teaching and his native Shawnee Indian practices. This time his hot-head friend Striking Eagle goes too far, though, and dies early in the story.

The continuing episodes of the madman called “Stump Neck” again seem misplaced, filler incidents that do not relate to the rest of the story. This time, Stump Neck’s major scene early on involves some extremely graphic depictions of animal cruelty along with some profanity. Without this short episode added in, the story flows much better, with its focus as it should be: the day of the battle, and its participants. Other scenes near the beginning of the book include some bawdy jokes and vulgar language, related to the subject matter of George Washington’s illness.

Aside from these incidents, however, Massacre at the Forks is generally clean and acceptable reading material. The story does well at building the suspense to the upcoming confrontation, complete with strong dialogue and descriptions appropriate to the battle. The author again does a good job of blending the seriousness of the matter with an appropriate level of humor, with a few breaks from the intensity of the situation. We even see a few glimpses of hope, the inner thoughts of young George Washington, as we consider what his future years will bring. Providence, too, makes its case, as the characters realize that God has protected George Washington from harm, even as his very coat is riddled with bullets that don’t touch his body. Though the proud British fall, young George has a future purpose that keeps him alive.

The Lion’s Apprentice: More Adventures of the Young George Washington

The Lion’s Apprentice, the third book in Richard Patton’s "Neophyte Warrior" series, continues the story told in the previous two books—His Majesty’s Envoy and The Reluctant Commander. This third installment picks up the story after Washington’s debacle at Great Meadows, and covers the next year – from the fall of 1754 to the summer of 1755. We now meet General Braddock, brought in by the British to subdue the French and reclaim the western fort. Braddock then brings Washington onto his staff, as an adviser, one who knows the territory and its problems. Washington sees a great opportunity here, as an apprentice, a way to advance his military career.

Much of this book contrasts the military styles of the two cultures: the more refined (and somewhat arrogant) British, versus the rustic, rural Americans. The clashing military styles, well-known to Americans familiar with our country’s history, are discussed at length, along with the many details often brushed-over. Braddock’s main problem is deja-vu for Washington: the lack of supplies, and inadequate roads through the back country.

The minor fictional characters are back, in brief parts of the story as before. Shawnee Indian Old Smoke is the strongest and most visible of these. The Pariah West/Stump Neck story seems rather tiresome by now; indeed the character himself admits his own boredom and lack of direction. Fortunately, his presence in The Lion’s Apprentice is quite negligible, and most of the book focuses on the more interesting story of General Braddock, Washington and their associates.

As the third part in a longer series detailing George Washington’s career with the French and Indian war, The Lion’s Apprentice is understood as an installment, not a novel on its own with a clear beginning and ending. The author includes a synopsis of events prior to this part, but readers would do best to read the books in sequence. This third part of "Neophyte Warrior" is a good, interesting and educational read through this period in America’s history.

The Reluctant Commander: George Washington's First Command

Richard Patton’s series "The Neophyte Warrior" continues with the second book, The Reluctant Commander. Starting immediately where His Majesty’s Envoy ended, the tale unfolds with the beginning of the French and Indian War in the spring of 1754.

The Reluctant Commander includes a synopsis of the previous book and its several subplots, as well as a "Cast of Characters." The main story involves Washington in his new role as Colonel and – reluctantly – in charge of the military operation to remove the French from the disputed territories. But everything seems stacked against the young leader, who can never acquire enough men, supplies and food. Soon he inadvertently starts a war, and later experiences his first – and only – military defeat. The actual events at Great Meadows are covered in exacting detail, with the actual historical figures as the primary characters involved. As such, the story would yield few surprises to historians; but since the event is little known to today’s average reader, The Reluctant Commander provides a thorough, yet entertaining, history lesson complete with witty dialogue and humorous moments. Through Patton’s historical narrative and character interaction, we can appreciate both the political situation and the colonists’ attitudes. The many Scottish characters in particular enliven the story with their rich heritage of stubborn independence, drunken merriment, and remembrances of past conflicts between Scottish and British in years past.

The subplots begun in the first book take a backseat for a time, with the more pressing action involving Washington and his cohorts -- Christopher Gist (though in a much smaller role this time), Robert Stobo, Jacob Van Braam and Captain James Mackay. Old Smoke and "Stump Neck" (formerly known as Pariah West) are still around, but in reduced roles. One exception to this reduced coverage is an expanded role for the somewhat comical Indian "Striking Eagle", Old Smoke’s young friend now obsessed with killing Englishmen. The author skillfully employs dialogue between Striking Eagle and a French soldier to illustrate the radically differing views of warfare. The contrasts are indeed striking, and clearly displayed: civilized Europeans versus barbarian, savage American Indians; and the continental European "line" style warfare versus hide-and-ambush combat in this new, as-yet-untamed land. Then comes also the ironic savage-reversal with the bizarre story of "Stump Neck," an Englishman gone mad, reverting to barbarian cruelty far worse than the Indians who never had "civilized society" to begin with.

Richard Patton continues a well-written, historically detailed account of a little-known period in American History, events which would help bring about the American Revolution and forever impact its leader, George Washington. The only thing the book lacks is geographical aids – any map or maps, which would help in placing the proper context of "Great Meadows" and other places referenced. Perhaps future installments of the "Neophyte Warrior" will include maps showing the places of action. Still, the series is off to a good start with the first two books, and the third one – The Lion’s Apprentice – promises further developments (and the end of this second book gives a brief look ahead).

His Majesty's Envoy: Young George Washington

The Neophyte Warrior series, by Richard Patton, tells the life of young George Washington during the French and Indian war in the 1750s: a lesser-known period of Washington’s life and great story material. The first book in the series, His Majesty’s Envoy, introduces the 21-year-old Major and his early career, covering the time period from December 1753 through April of 1754 and events leading up to the French and Indian war.

Primarily a story based on Washington’s life, His Majesty’s Envoy expands from the known record with interesting characters who depict the actual French, Indian, and Colonial English involved in the conflict. Several scenes explain the politics of the war and the positions held by each side, and subplots explore the characters’ relationships and how the impending conflict may affect them. As the first in a series, the book ends rather abruptly, anticipating the next volume of the continuing story.

Though it starts out slowly, His Majesty’s Envoy soon builds interest through the characters and the rich historical background of this little known time period. The 21-year-old Washington himself seems nothing like the Revolutionary War era leader; of course hindsight makes it all the more interesting. The story expands also into Washington’s personal life, including his friendship with the flirtatious young Sally (Mrs. Sarah Cary Fairfax), who was married to his friend (and based on actual correspondence from Washington the following year, 1755).

Of particular interest, the author follows the Indian naming tradition, correlating the characters and how their names describe their true personality. One young Indian decides to change his name from "Sinking Canoe" to "Striking Eagle," though the name change seems inappropriate to his friend who insists on keeping his own birth name. Among the Colonial English, a young man named Pariah truly lives up to the meaning of his name.

His Majesty’s Envoy is a good beginning to what promises to be a solid historical fiction series, with strong character development and an in-depth look at the French and Indian War.

The Meeting Place: Colonial Canada

The Meeting Place, the first in Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn's "Song of Acadia" series, brings to life the days of eighteenth century Canada. In what is now Nova Scotia, French settlers have lived peacefully for over 100 years, in this place they call "Acadia." Years later the English settled nearby, and the European settlers brought with them their feuds from Europe. Though the French and English settlers live within a few miles of each other, neither side communicates with the other, never opening up their world to meet "the enemy."

Set during Acadia of the 1750s, in which the European war between England and France carried over to the frontier, The Meeting Place is primarily a story of relationships and love. Much of the book follows the ordinary lives of two families, one French and one English, and how they meet and come to love each other. Though they have hints and anxious thoughts about the future, about a possible war, life seems to go on peacefully enough for both sides.

Eighteen year old Catherine (Price) Harrow meets a young French woman her age, in a lovely meadow between the two villages. Catherine's study of French years ago finds practical purpose: that she can communicate with the French. Louise (Belleveau) Robichaud and her husband Henri, it turns out, got married the same day as Catherine and Andrew. The two women later experience childbirth at about the same time, and along the way discover many other common interests, including a growing relationship with God through reading The Bible.

Many of the French settlers in Canada, such as in the Montreal area, were of course Catholic. Yet some of the French Huguenots, Protestants, survived the slaughter in France and fled to the New World, settling in areas such as Nova Scotia. Thus The Meeting Place focuses on people with like faith from different countries, rather than deal with the possible Protestant-Catholic conflict. The French Huguenot settlers at Minas are also pacifist, wishing to be left alone; and they refuse to take up arms to defend any government. Unfortunately, the British will only accept the French settlers as friends if they sign such an agreement, pledging their allegiance to the crown of England.

Complicating the immediate situation, Catherine's husband Andrew is a commandant in the British military, in charge of Fort Edward. Andrew already recognizes the French as peaceful people, not the enemy, but holds such thoughts alone among his military peers. Through his wife's friendship with Louise and her family, Andrew finds himself pressed even harder by a military set against those he considers friends.

The Acadian expulsion (1755-1762) in which thousands of French settlers were forced from their homes and literally scattered across the world, separated from each other, occurs near the end of The Meeting Place, setting the groundwork for the story's sequel, The Sacred Shore. As actually happened, the French settlers are loaded onto ships bound for other places where "Frenchies" live, including New Orleans, Charleston, Boston, even back to France; scattered, the English say, so they won't regroup and fight back.

Other books in the "Song of Acadia" series:

• The Sacred Shore
• The Birthright
• The Distant Beacon

Janette Oke website