The Frontier (The Road to Empire Book 1)

The seeds of world war are sown.In the year 1754, as the American frontier becomes a canvas for a brewing global conflict, two mighty kingdoms - England and France - clash for dominion over a land brimming with untold riches. Amidst this delicate dance of power, a young Major George Washington, under the direction of Governor Dinwiddie, embarks on a perilous journey through the Ohio Valley. Tasked with persuading the French to vacate the territory, Washington, with his lack of success, will unknowingly ignite the flames of the world’s first great war.At the heart of this tumultuous landscape is Robbie Coulter, a 20-year-old baker with a restless spirit and dreams as boundless as the wilderness itself. Disillusioned with the routine of kneading dough and the expectations of a mundane life at the family bakery, Robbie finds himself captivated by a bold recruitment poster calling brave souls to join the newly formed Virginia Regiment, destined for the Ohio wilderness. In an impulsive leap into the unknown he trades his rolling pin for a musket, ready to forge his destiny.As Robbie marches alongside legendary figures like Major George Washington and Christopher Gist, he bears witness to the brutal reality of battle; the camaraderie and courage of his fellow soldiers shine bright against the backdrop of pain and loss. Through his eyes, we experience the heart-stopping moments of ambushes, the thrill of the hunt, and the heart-wrenching decisions that define a soldier’s spirit.From clandestine meetings with native tribes to the pulse-pounding battles that ignite the first flames of a global war, "The Frontier" immerses readers in the raw, visceral tapestry of 18th-century America, where every choice echoes through time, and where every man’s destiny intertwines with the fate of nations. Perfect for fans of James Fenimore Cooper, Bernard Cornwell and Cormac McCarthy."In The Frontier, Griff Hosker brilliantly captures the brutal, hardscrabble struggle that defined life on the North American frontier during the French and Indian War—the opening chapter of the global conflict later known as the Seven Years' War. Through the eyes of Robbie Coulter, a humble baker transformed into a hardened soldier, readers experience the dangers, hardships, and courage required to survive on the edge of civilization. Serving alongside the young George Washington in the uncharted forests of the Ohio Valley, Robbie's journey brings to life a pivotal moment when the future of British North America hung in the balance. Hosker masterfully recreates the frontier's peril, promise, and enduring spirit.” - Frank A. Mason Read more