Don't let the cover fool you, this is not a romance novel by a long shot. This is at times gory and sad but a great book about survival. I have had this since 7th grade and have reread it numerous times. One of the few books I have kept on my bookcase.
I read this book because a previous review likened it to Kenneth Roberts, whom I love. It was well written and more fictional than factual. I hope the hint at the end means there is a second book.
Re reading in Dec 2009. A lot of similarities to Last of Mohicans and The Frontiersman and not as well written. It's pretty "romancing" and not as historically accurate (like in language usage). Morgan Patterson--the Woodsman ends up trying to return 3 women safely to the fort: Judith-Finance of British military, coward man Ivy-her 1/2 sister (1/2 "nigger") servant Susan- was rich, then sold as indentured servant. They have a bunch of encounters: w/ Indians, w/ friend Frenchman, slaughtered frontier families, etc. Final showdown: Judith preg (1x w/ Morgan) - goes back to England. Ivy dies. Morgan marries Susan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved and hated this book, read it in my teens, long before I saw the movie "The Last of the Mohicans". It gave me all of the emotions, which hadn't happened to me before. I'm giving it a five star because it was a standout book for my life......but with maturity comes knowledge of oneself, and today I would DNF the book when Morgan had sex with Judith.