The Orphan: A Novel of the American Revolution

by J. Scott Payne

In 1775, an indentured youth inadvertently joins the Minutemen in their first battle with British redcoats. This is the riveting story of the ensuing six years of privation, suffering and combat that shapes him as it also shapes the Continental Army…and the new-born United States.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2021

About the author

I grew up in Kansas City and am a product of the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. After interning at the Kansas City Star, I did 1.3 hitch in the Army in Korea, Vietnam and -- worst of all -- Washington, D.C.

I returned to journalism but, tired of tropical weather, moved to Michigan where I've lived ever since, during that time doing graduate work at the University of Michigan.

Though retired now, I've been unable to stop writing. My first novel, A Corporal No More, will arrive on Kindle soon and I'm well underway on a second book.