Drums Along the Mohawk

Most probably know this story not from the book, which was a 1936 best-seller, but rather from the 1939 John Ford classic film based upon it. I have not seen the film, so I will comment here only on the novel itself. If you have an interest in colonial American history or enjoy the novels of James Fenimore Cooper, then you will probably enjoy this novel as well. Richly detailed, the story is set in the Mohawk valley in northern New York State during the American Revolutionary War. This was the major east-west artery then and now, connecting the Hudson River valley and Albany to the western portions of the state (the New York Thruway I-90 of today cuts right through the settlements in the story). The author gives a great sense of setting with lots of details about the routines of the isolated settlers of that era. While the characters are not especially complex, the prejudices and tensions between Dutch and Germans, Tories and Continentals, is nicely realized. Real historical figures like Herkimer and the Johnson family appear in supporting roles. Perhaps not surprising for the time it was written, both blacks and Native Americans are largely depicted negatively, with some offensive caricatures in both dialog and character. The action sequences are fairly compelling, although the descriptions of battle are a bit murky and abstract at times. Overall, this is an entertaining read, especially if you have interest in the history of the area.

This is the second time I am rating this book: this time I could not find the paperback but was able to get a low quality copy printed in 1935. However, my library does not have a copy, and I wanted to give another person a chance to read this wonderful book so I am happy I could get it in any shape at all. .First time I rated it: I bought this for a gift. I was shocked that it was not available in hardback at the time.I first read it as a teenager, about 50 years ago. and have reread it several times . The author is the best historical novelist I've ever read and is highly regarded by historians . His history is accurate, which is very important to me, and I always found his books to be the "I can't put it down" type. Before this I bought it for my grandson. This particular purchase, Oct. 2019,is for a friend ; this book was printed in 1935, is in hardback, and is not in the bestcondition, but still I am glad to have found any copy at all. The 5 stars is for the content, not the condition of the book. The service was satisfactory.

An easy read that gives a sense of devastation of the Revolutionary War on the New York frontier. Stalin is supposed to have said that a single death is a tragedy, a million deaths a statistic. So when Richard Berleth in "Bloody Mohawk" whites: "Refugees returning to the Mohawk Valley in the period between 1783 and 1784 found hardly a barn or house standing from Fonda to German Flats." he gives us the statistics, Edmonds provides the tragedy. Chronicled are Gilbert & Lanna (Magdelana) Martin, newlyweds, and their lives through the war. Their homestead is in Deerfield, a community consisting of a handful of settlers near the end of white settlement on the Mohawk River. Their isolation invites an early raid that burns the homes and barns and displaces the entire community to a slightly more secure fort down river. History tends to teach the Revolutionary War as a series of strategic events, however on the frontier the guerilla war was a constant struggle, often fought between former neighbors. Although the Martins and their neighbors are fictional the events closely follow history as do the names, and personalities of leaders. If you are interested in the history of this period I don't think you will be disappointed.

Historically, this book is right on. I never like reading about battles and military strategy, but I have a feeling the accounts are historically accurate to a detail. Some of the language is even archaic enough that I had to use my dictionary, and some of the words weren't in the dictionary at all. The story line is not the best element of the book, but the life of the sometime soldier/sometime pioneer farmers and their wives is what kept me reading. The depiction of the Indians of this area and time would be nothing short of politically incorrect, but probably accurate? The eloquent descriptions of revolutionary, wild New York state countryside, survival in the wilderness, and early pioneer farm life are the best thing about it. Aside from skimming the battle discussions, I really enjoyed this book.

I have grown up watching the movie made from this wonderful book, starring Henry Fonda, Claudette Colbert, Ward Bond to name a few. I never knew what a wonderfully engaging and emotion filled story it came from. What you never get to see in the movie, though it is still one of my favorites, is the real depth of passion Gil and Lana have for each other, though the film makes an admirable attempt at it. Some of the characters you thought you knew will surprise you...including Gil and Lana. It's a book I know I will read again with as much enjoyment as I did this first time.

Loyalists and patriots go at it in the Mohawk valley west of the Hudson. Indians were for the most part on the side of the Tories, or those helping the British. Brutal portrayal of the lives of the farmers , attempting to grow crops and build log cabins, only to see them destroyed and joining the militia to fight back.

Great history. Much better than the movie. I grew up there and never new so many places and people. Rome Haul next

Great novel that includes vivid picture of life in a very ignored period of American History, the revolutionary war in the remote Mohawk Valley of New York. Edmonds carefully researched every aspect of the way of life using original sources. The result is a very absorbing story that is authentic and believable. While picturing very effectively the American patriots living on the frontier and left to defend against the British and their native American allies, he manages to cover the positions of those on both sides of the question. His characters are all richly drawn and engaging. This deserves to be considered a classic.

Masters piece

This was a gift , we enjoyed the book ,

Drums Along the Mohawk (New York Classics) I first read this book about 30 or 40 years ago. It was a battered second-hand copy which unfortunately did not last that long, as being one of the best books I'd ever read it finally got even more battered. Its spine cracked and all the pages began falling out with some becoming irretrievably lost. Only recently, having discovered the benefits of buying online, have I finally been able to buy a replacement.There were two books which were published about the sane time. Drums Along The Mohawk and Gone With The Wind. Each book was received with great acclaim by the public of that time but of the two, Drums Along The Mohawk was considered the greatest and was the also the most popular. So why is the lesser of the two now fondly remembered as a classic and the other all but forgotten? The reason is Hollywood. Both were made into films but while one was given the lavish, epic treatment, told in its entirety, The Drums was instead made into a standard western film of the time, with great swathes of its content cut to fit into what was considered the required length for a western. A great shame. Drums Along the Mohawk (New York Classics)

Thanks

I have long admired the film of this book, one of my favourites, it was interesting to read the book the film was based on. A great book telling the story of the american revolution from the frontier point of view, lots of action with the americans facing the British and hostile indians, loved it.