Steps Toward Freedom

This book is the author's attempt to re-classify the commonly termed American Revolution as "America's First Civil War." Webster's dictionary defines a civil war as "a war between geographical sections or political factions of the same nation." It is the author's hypothesis at the beginning of this war there were clearly two distinct political factions. The Tories who clung to the security of England's crown and Parliament, and the Patriots who, on the other hand, believed that their freedom and independence depended upon separation from England's reign.

From church pulpits, within country taverns, amongst the various colonial legislatures, Tories and Patriots alike cast aspersions, accusations and threats against each other. While these white Europeans were battling to gain control of the colonies, especially New York, the Native American Indians were eagerly trying to make sense of this white man's war, and to protect their own territory by hopefully choosing the right side to align themselves.

The traditional historians seldom explore or publicize the degree of important role upstate New York's Mohawk Valley played in America's First Civil War. It has been stated that "the 1777 victory over the British and the Loyalists at Saratoga was the turning point of the war." Historical individuals and events, together with the fictional characters introduced in the author's Roads trilogy explore the exciting adventures and intrigue in the settlement and defense of the Mohawk Valley, which eventually led to France's entrance into America's First Civil War, and one way or another, freedom for each of the combatants.

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"Your books should be the basis of a revolutionary war movie as your writing is more balanced."

Dr. Paul Countryman, Pickering, Ontario, Canada



"...fine books about the struggles of many individuals who fought and died during the infancy of the United States of America. These books reveal how real-life situations during the American Revolution not only changed the lives of individuals and families, but created a spirit of freedom which enhanced the development of America."

Dr. Ruth Welborn, Dean, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas



"Roads to Saratoga is lively story making history entertaining and interesting. You have a handy style of blending in historical facts as needed."

Walter Rose, Afton, New York