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Forge and Foundry: A Novel of the French and Indian War
Forge and Foundry
is a sweeping historical novel set on the volatile Pennsylvania frontier in the years leading up to the French and Indian War.
John Fraser is a Scottish-born trader, blacksmith, and frontiersman who has spent a decade carving a life from the wilderness along the Allegheny River. But when French forces advance from Canada and seize control of the Ohio Valley, Fraser is forced to abandon everything he has built.
Drawn into the rising conflict between Britain and France, Fraser crosses paths with a young and ambitious George Washington, seasoned traders like George Croghan, and powerful Native leaders navigating impossible choices. As war looms, Fraser must decide where his loyalties lie — to empire, to survival, or to the fragile future he dares to imagine with the recently widowed Jane McClain.
Based on real historical figures and events, Forge and Foundry blends political intrigue, frontier survival, and deeply human relationships into an immersive portrait of a world on the brink of global war.
Perfect for readers of Bernard Cornwell, Patrick O'Brian, and Ken Follett, this novel brings the 1750s American frontier vividly to life — where destiny is shaped not only by ambition and courage, but by forces beyond any man's control.
John Fraser is a Scottish-born trader, blacksmith, and frontiersman who has spent a decade carving a life from the wilderness along the Allegheny River. But when French forces advance from Canada and seize control of the Ohio Valley, Fraser is forced to abandon everything he has built.
Drawn into the rising conflict between Britain and France, Fraser crosses paths with a young and ambitious George Washington, seasoned traders like George Croghan, and powerful Native leaders navigating impossible choices. As war looms, Fraser must decide where his loyalties lie — to empire, to survival, or to the fragile future he dares to imagine with the recently widowed Jane McClain.
Based on real historical figures and events, Forge and Foundry blends political intrigue, frontier survival, and deeply human relationships into an immersive portrait of a world on the brink of global war.
Perfect for readers of Bernard Cornwell, Patrick O'Brian, and Ken Follett, this novel brings the 1750s American frontier vividly to life — where destiny is shaped not only by ambition and courage, but by forces beyond any man's control.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 26, 2026
Outstanding debut novel!
If you enjoy historical fiction set in 18th‑century America, particularly during the French and Indian War, you won’t want to miss this debut novel. I would have bet money that Jason Matthew Stanley was a historian, a reenactor, or had lived a past life as John Fraser — or all three. He wasn’t, although I’m not entirely convinced about that last part.
The story is richly detailed, offering not just facts but context, atmosphere, and style. His portrayals of well‑known historical figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Daniel Boone are crafted with such care that he captures not only their heroism and dedication to the American cause, but also their weaknesses and failures.
I especially appreciated how he balanced John Fraser’s personal life with the vivid — and at times graphic — realities of battle and life in the American frontier. His treatment of the Indigenous tribes, as well as the French and British armies, felt notably fair and nuanced.
I’m genuinely stunned by how well written Mr. StanleMatthewy’s first novel is. My only hint of disappointment is how abruptly the book ends, though I can only hope that means a sequel is on the way. I happily give this book a 5‑star rating!
If you enjoy historical fiction set in 18th‑century America, particularly during the French and Indian War, you won’t want to miss this debut novel. I would have bet money that Jason Matthew Stanley was a historian, a reenactor, or had lived a past life as John Fraser — or all three. He wasn’t, although I’m not entirely convinced about that last part.
The story is richly detailed, offering not just facts but context, atmosphere, and style. His portrayals of well‑known historical figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Daniel Boone are crafted with such care that he captures not only their heroism and dedication to the American cause, but also their weaknesses and failures.
I especially appreciated how he balanced John Fraser’s personal life with the vivid — and at times graphic — realities of battle and life in the American frontier. His treatment of the Indigenous tribes, as well as the French and British armies, felt notably fair and nuanced.
I’m genuinely stunned by how well written Mr. StanleMatthewy’s first novel is. My only hint of disappointment is how abruptly the book ends, though I can only hope that means a sequel is on the way. I happily give this book a 5‑star rating!
October 2, 2025
I loved this book! Jason is a talented writer and I was hooked immediately. Fans of Ken Follett will love Forge and Foundry. Jason has a natural gift for story telling and his writing style transplants you directly into the 1700s. I was immediately gripped into the characters and the history! I loved the way this book balanced action with humanity. I felt for the characters and all they had to do to survive. I also want to thank the author for giving us the epilogue and the historical notes. He did leave us with a cliffhanger but the epilogue made me very excited for what is to come. I found the historical notes at the end to be fascinating. You can tell that Jason truly invested his time and energy into these characters and their stories. I loved reading about his relationship to the real-world characters. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the book and the history! I can't wait to read Book #2!
January 1, 2026
Terrible Editing
The story was written well enough. Descriptive but not verbose. The characters are likeable, and some based on the author’s own family. But the editing was abysmal and made it difficult to follow at times. Twice in the book multiple paragraphs are duplicated, completely disrupting the narrative. And one of the final chapters is labeled 1765 instead of 1755. I thought we jumped ahead a decade but it’s a typo. I wish the author the best of luck as he’s finishing his ancestor’s story and also the luck to find a capable editor. Not sure if I will attempt the sequel.
The story was written well enough. Descriptive but not verbose. The characters are likeable, and some based on the author’s own family. But the editing was abysmal and made it difficult to follow at times. Twice in the book multiple paragraphs are duplicated, completely disrupting the narrative. And one of the final chapters is labeled 1765 instead of 1755. I thought we jumped ahead a decade but it’s a typo. I wish the author the best of luck as he’s finishing his ancestor’s story and also the luck to find a capable editor. Not sure if I will attempt the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews