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The Road to Empire
The Frontier
The seeds of world war are sown.
In the year 1754, as the American frontier becomes a canvas for a brewing global conflict, two mighty kingdoms - England and France - clash for dominion over a land brimming with untold riches. Amidst this delicate dance of power, a young Major George Washington, under the direction of Governor Dinwiddie, embarks on a perilous journey through the Ohio Valley. Tasked with persuading the French to vacate the territory, Washington, with his lack of success, will unknowingly ignite the flames of the world’s first great war.
At the heart of this tumultuous landscape is Robbie Coulter, a 20-year-old baker with a restless spirit and dreams as boundless as the wilderness itself. Disillusioned with the routine of kneading dough and the expectations of a mundane life at the family bakery, Robbie finds himself captivated by a bold recruitment poster calling brave souls to join the newly formed Virginia Regiment, destined for the Ohio wilderness. In an impulsive leap into the unknown he trades his rolling pin for a musket, ready to forge his destiny.
In the year 1754, as the American frontier becomes a canvas for a brewing global conflict, two mighty kingdoms - England and France - clash for dominion over a land brimming with untold riches. Amidst this delicate dance of power, a young Major George Washington, under the direction of Governor Dinwiddie, embarks on a perilous journey through the Ohio Valley. Tasked with persuading the French to vacate the territory, Washington, with his lack of success, will unknowingly ignite the flames of the world’s first great war.
At the heart of this tumultuous landscape is Robbie Coulter, a 20-year-old baker with a restless spirit and dreams as boundless as the wilderness itself. Disillusioned with the routine of kneading dough and the expectations of a mundane life at the family bakery, Robbie finds himself captivated by a bold recruitment poster calling brave souls to join the newly formed Virginia Regiment, destined for the Ohio wilderness. In an impulsive leap into the unknown he trades his rolling pin for a musket, ready to forge his destiny.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2026
About the author
Griff Hosker
215 books453 followersI was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 16, 2026
excellent
Another Hosker historical novel, this time set in my backyard. A really well told version of young Washington’s missteps , trials and tribulations from the diplomatic mission, to Fort Necessity and then Braddock ending with defeat and retreat.
So looking forward to the next book.
Another Hosker historical novel, this time set in my backyard. A really well told version of young Washington’s missteps , trials and tribulations from the diplomatic mission, to Fort Necessity and then Braddock ending with defeat and retreat.
So looking forward to the next book.
July 17, 2026
Excellent read
This is one of the best reads of living and fighting in this era I have read in over 40 years of study. Many books have been written of the big pitchure. Fewer have been written on this level. Good character development. And good use of historical figures to flush out the storyline. It is kept interesting and informative .
This is one of the best reads of living and fighting in this era I have read in over 40 years of study. Many books have been written of the big pitchure. Fewer have been written on this level. Good character development. And good use of historical figures to flush out the storyline. It is kept interesting and informative .
July 21, 2026
Young Washington has a companion book to properly celebrate our president and his men!
Men in green jackets replaced red coats in formation! Americans learned to fire muskets from trees! A hatchet and a knife were necessary to master in close combat with scalp hungry savages!.As close to actual history as one can get.
Men in green jackets replaced red coats in formation! Americans learned to fire muskets from trees! A hatchet and a knife were necessary to master in close combat with scalp hungry savages!.As close to actual history as one can get.
July 7, 2026
I learned much more about george washington
A very good historical fiction novel. I learned about early English settlements in Virginia and more importantly about the leadership and good character of George Washington
A very good historical fiction novel. I learned about early English settlements in Virginia and more importantly about the leadership and good character of George Washington
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews