Comments, reviews for "Boats, Bullets and Bears"

Non-fiction book details mystery 

surrounding 1744 murder of Pa. trader

John L. Moore unravels an 18^th century murder mystery on the Pennsylvania frontier in his newest book “Boats, Bullets & Bears.”

The story of Indian trader Jack Armstrong’s murder takes its place with other stories about General Edward Braddock’s ill-fated march through the wilderness on Fort DuQuesne and Fort Augusta’s pivotal role in frontier defense in this seventh book of the Pennsylvania Frontier Series.

          Moore demonstrates his command of such subjects as relations between the Native Americans and English while drawing lively portraits of the individuals who shaped this tumultuous period in our nation’s history.

– Robert Swift, author of “The Mid-Appalachian Frontier: A Guide to Historic Sites of the French and Indian War.”  

 

True stories about Pennsylvania history 
        succeed in taking reader back in time

Once again, John has managed to enrapture even those who detest history. With his story full of murder, wars with bears, witches placing spells on cows and lost hats, the author yet again takes the reader back in time in order to witness stories of old. His masterful weaving of historical accounts with vivid explanations helps the reader to not only understand but also enjoy the stories from the old frontier.

For those looking for a relaxing evening with a good read and a strong cup of tea, I recommend picking up Boats, Bullets & Bears. You'll be glad to peruse the lives of old and hear about the adventures that not only entertain, but did actually happen.

– Catherine Felegi of Cranford, New Jersey. She is a writer, editor, blogger and tea enthusiast. Her blogs about tea can be found at: http://cafelegi.wordpress.com/

 

 General Braddock’s failure to adapt 
proved fatal for many of his soldiers

General Braddock and his European troops were unprepared for irregular (guerrilla) warfare in the forested mountains of Pennsylvania.  They failed not because of incompetence, but because their competencies were mismatched to the environment in which they tried to apply them.  There is a lesson here for “moderns.”  Adapt or die.  Braddock did the second.  John Moore’s books, most notably “Boats, Bullets & Bears” show that “the clash of civilizations” is nothing new.  It’s as old as the Appalachian Mountains.  Older. 

Moore’s accounts of life on the Pennsylvania frontier quickly have me using Google Earth to swoop, hover and trace watercourses.  As a backpacker I’m amazed at how fast and far both settlers and Indians traveled, usually on foot, over the rugged terrain.  They routinely handled rain, snow, cold and disease as simply a part of life.  Moore’s book (as did its predecessors) makes me appreciate how little human nature changes over the centuries -- but also how tough those folks living at the edge of civilization were.  Awesome writing! 

– Thomas Brucia, Houston, Texas