| Format | Hardcover |
| Publication Date | 08/04/26 |
| ISBN | 9798897101542 |
| Trim Size / Pages | 6 x 9 in / 368 |
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.
Buy it now in print:
Buy it now in ebook:
"In a riveting historical narrative, Samuel Marquis sheds much-appreciated light on an era that is opaque or even unknown to many readers of American history: the violent clashes and complex diplomacy between European-American colonists and Native Haudenosaunee peoples at the end of the 17th century. Taking a detailed look at Peter Schuyler and other figures central to the period, Marquis creates a rich narrative interwoven with individual heroism, wartime brutality, political subterfuge, and cultural interconnection. Students or enthusiasts of early American history will find this a valuable addition to the canon, as will any reader with an interest in those who helped forge our nation and the risks they took, and the sacrifices they made, along the way." J.D. Dickey, author of Boston, 1776, and Empire of Mud: The Secret History of Washington, D.C.
"Empire and Frontier tells the gripping story of the violent struggle for imperial supremacy in North America between England and France during King William’s War in the 1690s. It’s a highly momentous tale, filled with deadly skirmishes and shifting alliances with local Indian tribes along the Albany frontier. Much of this fascinating narrative is told from the perspective of Peter Schuyler, a distinguished Dutch-American soldier and politician, who played a crucial role in maintaining the 'Covenant Chain' with the Iroquois Confederacy. Samuel Marquis reveals, in meticulous detail, how invaluable this Iroquois partnership was in protecting English settlements in the Province of New York and the northeastern colonies. This fine book is essential reading for anyone interested in great power rivalry during the seventeenth century." John Reeves, author of Grant’s Betrayal: Power, Corruption, and the Theft of the Black Hills
"Empire and Frontier combines the charm and accessibility of biographical writing and the analytical probing of academic scholarship. By narrating the forging of the Anglo-Iroquois military alliance with a focus on the dramatic interactions between captivating individuals, Samuel Marquis does a great service to the field of diplomatic history. This biographical approach highlights the role that individuals play in shaping the fates of nations." Guy Chet, PhD, Professor of History, University of North Carolina, and author of The Ocean is a Wilderness and The Colonists' American Revolution
"In Empire and Frontier, Samuel Marquis recovers a pivotal but long-neglected chapter of early United States history—a fragile alliance between English colonists and the Five Nations of the Iroquois during King William's War. Marquis writes with the narrative drive of the best popular historians, and his eye for character, human complexity, and cross-cultural nuance makes this essential reading for anyone interested in how empires were made and unmade on the American frontier." Greg Grandin, PhD, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of America, América: A New History of the New World
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
“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
