The Taking of Jemima Boone: The True Story of the Kidnap and Rescue That Shaped America by Matthew Pearl is a retelling of the Daniel Boone family saga. Mr. Pearl is a published author and an international bestseller; his books have been translated to over 30 languages.
My rating for The Taking of Jemima Boone — 5
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A narrative non-fiction which is entertaining, as well as informative. I have heard about Daniel Boone, but frankly never knew much about him. I certainly didn’t know about the kidnapping story, or that James Fenimore Cooper fictionalized the events in Last of the Mohicans.
The Taking of Jemima Boone: The True Story of the Kidnap and Rescue That Shaped America by Matthew Pearl tells of how the kidnapping of Jemima Boone, by Native Americans, started a cycle of violence and revenge. When Boone tracked the party to rescue his daughter, he also killed the son of a Chief. That Chief, later on, took Boone hostage and adopted him as his son. On top of that, Boone was accused of treason by people trying to take control of Boonesboro, Kentucky.
The English, at the time, were trying to get the Native Americans to fight for them. The American Revolutionary War was not going well and they needed to control Kentucky. Additionally, the Native Americans, on their part, did not know which side to choose. Not that it mattered though, both sides would eventually break their treaties and promises.
This book touches on the crossroads of the American Revolution and Western expansion. However, it is not the focus of the narrative, but it can’t be ignored.
This book brings alive not only the Boone Family, but the whole frontier. Daniel Boone is not a super-tracker, but a man struggling to lead. Native Americans are written about with all their complexities and culture, which is one that even today we could certainly learn much from.
Buy The Taking of Jemima Boone from Amazon.com*
More Books by Matthew Pearl*
Zohar – Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free.
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account
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