The Captive Witch

by Dale Van Every

In the glorious days when the young tough citizens of a young and tough America pushed their frontiers westward through Kentucky, an Indian fighter and woodsman could outrank a college-educated aristocrat from Virginia. Adam Frame was one of those men- a man who lived on war. Woodsman, pioneer, soldier, he had followed George Rogers Clark in his expeditions against the British-inspired Indians; he had fought at the great victories of Kaskaskia and Vincennes.

And now he was ready to claim the warrior's reward for which he had waited nine long years- a position of leadership in a pioneer settlement and Cynthia, the poised, confident woman of Virginia, who had sweetened a thousand wilderness dreams.

Genres: Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Born in 1896, American author Dale Van Every turned out a number of volumes on American history, including a biography of Charles Lindbergh. Van Every was also a busy playwright in the 1920s; his Broadway offering Telling the World was filmed in 1929, whereupon the writer set up shop in Hollywood. His screenplays include the literary adaptations Trader Horn (1931) and Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932). In 1937, he shared an Oscar nomination for the film version of Kipling's Captains Courageous. In 1940, Dale Van Every produced the Paramount actioner Rangers of Fortunes, then returned to screenwriting, remaining in this field until 1957. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Reviews

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top ten books of all time. When I cannot sleep at night, I just reread the last chapter and have pleasant dreams.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the very first adult book I ever read... way back in the 1950s. Found a used copy and just read it again. Still good.
Adam Frane is a 24-year-old man who is working as a soldier/guide for the Kentuckians in 1790. He is forced to capture a young Indian girl then learns she is really a white woman. Ayunita, or Nita, was captured when she was only 4 years old. Adam determines to take her back to her family - if he can find them.
However, Adam also has another problem. What will he do when he goes back home in a few months to see his prospective bride?
This was everything I remembered. I recalled certain parts of the book that never left me. If you can get a used copy I highly recommend it.

[Barbara Cornett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Captive Witch because it was about the area of Kentucky that I live in now. I like to imagine what Kentucky was like back in the time of this book. I would like to have a time machine to travel back to that time and see what the country looked like. I'm afraid, though, that I am not cut out to live that kind of life that was necessary at that time.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is at least my third time to read my favorite Dale Van Every book. I have read most of them. This time I had a new prespective in reading it. Since the last reading, I have discovered that my 5th great grandparents were living in the setting for the story at the time. David Milton Crews, an ancestor, was a companion of Daniel Boone and an early resident of Boonesborogh.
He later moved to his own station near Lexington where there us a momument bearing his name and his son's name. My 5th great grandparents, Samuel and Sarah Boone, were Daniel's older brother and family. Sarah taught Daniel to read and write. They also moved to Kentucky early. So as I read The Captive Witch this time, I felt a very personal relationship with the story. I hope that I am not seen as bragging about my famous ancestors, it adds so much to my enjoyment of the story I felt the need to share. All of Van Every's books are so rich in history that each is a treasure.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still a great book.

Great book. I first read it in the early 70s. I took off 2 stars due the numerous typos. Hire a good proofreader.

[Susan]

1870 Kentucky

[Victoria Grusing · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book about what we did wrong in settling the United States. Not everything we did wrong, but mostly about killing Indians and feeling justified in doing it.

[Wileyoneone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandma and Grandpa’s book-in my library

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been quite awhile since I read a Western novel. The last were The Sackett books by Louis L'Amour. There is a certain style to a Western novel I think. Overall I enjoyed The Captive Witch. It is about the settling of the Kentucky wilderness in its simplest form; it's also a love story, one man trying to decide between two women, a wilful young girl who has grown up among the Cherokee Indians and a handsome widow, settling in Kentucky with her brothers. The story also involves the Wars of Independence, the British and their Indian armies fighting with the Kentucky American settlers. I found the historical aspects especially interesting; the trials faced by the people trying to settle a new frontier and the difficulties (even terror) they faced. The romance aspect, which is the major focus, dragged somewhat, but overall, a very interesting story.

[CLM · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vivid historical fiction, perhaps too vivid description of life on the Kentucky frontier during the Revolutionary War, as the hero is torn between two women: a traditional and proud local beauty who is well connected and an impetuous woman brought up by Indians.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read three of his books in the last month and have loved every one!