| Format | Hardcover |
| Publication Date | 08/04/26 |
| ISBN | 9798897101542 |
| Trim Size / Pages | 6 x 9 in / 352 |
The epic story of the alliance forged between Colonel Peter Schuyler and the Five Nations of the Iroquois as English forces joined with the Iroquois against the French and their Indigenous allies.
Empire and Frontier presents a powerful episode of early American history, revealing the very human story of friendship and alliance between Colonel Peter Schuyler and the Iroquois during King William’s War (1689–1701). Like Philbrick’s Mayflower and Gwynne’s Empire of the Summer Moon, this new book reveals how fragile alliances and cross-cultural diplomacy changed the course of empires in North America.
At the heart of the book is Peter Schuyler, a Dutch-American mayor of Albany, Indian Affairs commissioner, and militia colonel who earned deep trust among the Iroquois. Decades ahead of his time in his respect for Native diplomacy and sovereignty, Schuyler helped forge and sustain a fragile alliance between English colonists and the Haudenosaunee (Five Nations of the Iroquois) during a decade of brutal warfare. That alliance, known as The Covenant Chain, not only blocked French ambitions in the region, but also shaped the political and military landscape of the American frontier for the next one hundred years.
Told through multiple perspectives, the book also follows two unforgettable Indigenous figures during the conflict. Lawrence, a Mohawk war captain, serves as Schuyler’s compatriot on the battlefield, working for and navigating the survival of his people. Hilletie van Olinda, a biracial Mohawk-Dutch woman, becomes a key translator and diplomatic go-between, using her language skills and cultural fluency to mediate between the Iroquois and English.
Across a decade of war, espionage, and political intrigue—from the 1689 Leisler’s Rebellion and 1690 Schenectady Massacre to the climactic Grand Settlement of 1701—these intertwined stories reveal the human cost and political complexity behind one of early America’s most consequential alliances.
Samuel Marquis, M.S., P.G., is a professional hydrogeologist, expert witness, and award-winning author of Empire and Frontier, Captain Kidd, and eleven other nonfiction history and historical fiction books, covering the period from colonial America through WWII. His historical titles have been #1 Denver Post bestsellers, received national book awards, and garnered glowing reviews from historians, bestselling authors, and U.S. military veterans. He and his wife live in Louisville, CO, where they raised their three children.
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Praise for Samuel Marquis's Captain Kidd:
"An important addition to the literature of piracy." Booklist
"Riveting revisionist history. A caustic takedown of a centuries-old hit job." Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Samuel Marquis makes history feel like a thrilling drama. Captain Kidd is a great read for anyone who loves history, adventure, or just a great true story about how easily someone’s legacy can be rewritten." Readers' Favorite, Book Awards Gold Medal winner
“With Captain Kidd, Samuel Marquis deftly separates the man from the myth in a riveting narrative that includes a compelling cast of characters, cannon fire, sword fights, mutiny, and treasure—all with the fate of empires hanging in the balance. A rollicking tale that proves that true stories are the best ones.” Buddy Levy, author of Realm of Ice and Sky
“Marquis paints the life of the inimitable Captain Kidd in bold, rich colors. A dashing, absorbing tale.” Stephan Talty, author of Empire of Blue Water
“Captain Kidd is a well-researched and thoroughly readable account of the rise and downfall of this enigmatic character and is a welcome addition to the world of pirate history.” - James L. Nelson, author of Benedict Arnold’s Navy
“If you enjoy a good read about piracy this is a book for you.” Robert Richie, author of Captain Kidd and the War Against the Pirates
“Samuel Marquis provides the reader with a remarkable impression of Captain William Kidd, one that attempts to reincarnate the real person rather than the caricatured and often enigmatic villain-trope.” - Benerson Little, author of The Golden Age of Piracy and The Sea Rover’s Practice
“Marquis has written a fascinating and engaging new study of the pirate Captain Kidd. A must-read for all pirate fans and scholars!” Rebecca Simon, PhD, historian, and author of Why We Love Pirates
“A new book tackling Kidd’s career on both sides of the law with fresh information and evidence is bound to find an enthusiastic audience.” Guy Chet, author of The Ocean Is a Wilderness and The Colonists' American Revolution
“Few authors could tell Kidd's complicated story as well as Samuel Marquis. With a beachcomber's eye for detail and a playwright's sense of drama, Marquis traces Kidd's trajectory as he threads his way through history, gaining fame and absorbing blame.” Kris Lane, author of Piracy in the Early Modern Era
