East of the Merrimack

The year is 1689, and John Gyles, a young eleven year old boy of an English family farm near Pemaquid Harbor in New England, is captured by Indians (North American aboriginals) and remains with them in captivity for the next five years. In this story we relive his experiences through those years within the background of the War of the Grand Alliance (1689 to 1697) between France and England, fought in Europe and in North America.
The author has gone to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy of his background. The source of the story is from John Gyles’ own words.
While weaving an exciting tale of hardship, danger, and enslavement, there is also tenderness, fairness and love. It is fascinating to understand how anyone could survive in the wilderness at the edge of our European/North American civilization as it interacts with the civilizations of the aboriginal first nations. The comparisons of lifestyle, communal behaviour including religions, and day to day life of these two major groups adds color to the story.
The author was a professor of medicine, born in the region of this story’s interest, and clearly, by his own words, identifies with the young John Gyles, giving this story an importance that persists to present day.