Posts Tagged ‘into the americas’

Putrid salmon favored by John Jewitt’s captors in this true-life adventure tale

Posted: June 15, 2021 in Into the Americas
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For the First Nations people of the Pacific Northwest salmon was part of their staple diet – preferably eaten putrid and well past its used-by date – as young Englishman John Jewitt discovered when a captive of the Mowachahts of Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in the early 1800s. 

We include references to John’s aversion to putrid salmon in our epic historical fiction adventure INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story). The earthy descriptions are accurate for we sourced them directly from a diary he kept during his years in captivity. To John’s chagrin, the surrounding woods abounded with game, but salmon was considered a delicacy compared to deer and such.

Mowachaht chief Maquinna and his family agreed to John’s request that he cook an English-style meal of roasted venison for them. However, to the young cook’s dismay, they were unimpressed by the meal, and stuck to their traditional diet.

John observed the Mowachahts’ diet, which also included whale meat and blubber, kept them healthy as illness was rare within the tribe except during harsh winters when starvation was a common occurrence.

One book critic describes INTO THE AMERICAS as “an incredible, true-life, wilderness survival story”. It is available via Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook.

Epic adventure novel “very entertaining,” according to Amazon Reviews

Posted: December 27, 2020 in Into the Americas
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Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, is the setting for our adventure novel Into the Americas. It was here that 19-year-old John Jewitt found himself captive after Mowachaht warriors attacked his ship and slaughtered his crewmates.

Here’s what Amazon reviewers are saying about Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story):

★★★★★  “An awesome tale!” -Great Historical Fiction Book Reviews

★★★★★  “Extremely well researched, the main character’s ‘coming of age’ is told with detached and stark brutality.” -Award-winning author Lee Murray

★★★★★  “Want a great historical fiction read? Here it is!” -Author Alice DiNizo

★★★★★ “VERY entertaining! Near impossible to put down.” -Amazon Reviews 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Lance Morcan, James Morcan]

Into the Americas is available via Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook.  http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

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John warned to look out for his scalp in early encounter with First Nations people in ‘Into the Americas’ novel

Posted: July 9, 2020 in Into the Americas
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In the opening chapters of our historical adventure INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) we describe as follows the arrival of young English blacksmith John Jewitt in Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in the early 1800s…

John and his crewmates returned their attention to shore as The Boston entered Friendly Cove. Nootka village came into view and the drumming sound that had heralded the brig’s arrival earlier intensified.

Mowachaht villagers could be seen drumming sticks against the exterior of their lodges. To John’s eyes, those employed in such a way appeared to be working themselves up into a frenzy.

On the sandy beach in front of the village, warriors were in the process of launching some of the twenty or so canoes resting there. John could see the Mowachahts were intent on approaching The Boston and he hoped they meant the brig’s crew no harm. The fact that all were armed and most carried muskets did nothing for his confidence.

Dorthy, who stood alongside John, noticed his assistant’s interest in the activity ashore. “Them the Mowachahts,” the armorer said. “Savages every one of ’em, so watch your scalp.”

John hoped Dorthy was joking. The expression on his face indicated he wasn’t.

 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Morcan, Lance, Morcan, James]

INTO THE AMERICAS is available via Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YJKM51E/

 

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‘Into the Americas’ the end result of 13 years of research and writing

Posted: June 12, 2019 in Into the Americas
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In researching and writing our historical adventure Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) – a labor of love spanning 13 years – we first came across the centuries-old diary entries of young English seaman John Jewitt in early 2002. And we immediately became enamored with this intriguing slice of North American history.

However, it took untold drafts and careful study of the region – including consultation with the tribal peoples of the Pacific Northwest – before we finally felt confident we had developed the original bare bones historical account into the epic adventure novel it deserved to be in literary format.

As with writing any novel based on or inspired by a true story, we had a million agonizing decisions to make along the way. Decisions like what aspects of the historical events needed to be added to, fictionalized or given more layers, and what could be kept exactly as occurred but expanded upon or dramatized.

Even after all these years of focusing on the history we still feel John Jewitt’s story is one of the great true wilderness survival tales of all time.

Thankfully, readers seem to resonate with this novel and it continues to attract stellar reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

If you enjoyed Into the Americas, you may enjoy our other adventure novels White Spirit   (another novel based on a true story), The Dogon Initiative, World Odyssey and Fiji: A Novel.

-Lance & James Morcan 

 

Book: Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by James & Lance Morcan

Book’s Amazon review rating = 4.4 out of 5 stars after 187 reviews.

 

★★★★★ “Extremely well researched, the main character’s ‘coming of age’ is told with detached and stark brutality.” -Award-winning author Lee Murray.

 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story)  is available via Amazon as a paperback or Kindle ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

 

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Historical fiction novel likened to a motion picture in words

Posted: April 27, 2019 in Into the Americas
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Morcan Books & Films

One book reviewer described our historical adventure INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story)  as being “like a motion picture in words.” Understandable given it’s set in the Pacific Northwest, which must surely be one of the most picturesque places on earth. 

Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island…where this true-life story is set.

 

Into the Americasis a tale of two vastly different cultures – indigenous North American and European civilization – colliding head on. It is also a Romeo and Juliet story set in the wilderness.

The storyline:

It’s 1802. Nineteen year-old English blacksmith John Jewitt is one of only two survivors after his crewmates clash with the fierce Mowachaht tribe in the Pacific Northwest.

John Jewitt…years later.

A life of slavery awaits John and his fellow survivor, a belligerent American sailmaker, in a village ruled by the iron fist of Maquina, the all-powerful chief…

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Historical adventure novel a Romeo and Juliet story set in the wilderness

Posted: August 17, 2018 in Into the Americas
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Bestselling INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story)  is a tale of two vastly different cultures, indigenous North American and European civilization, colliding head on. It is also a Romeo and Juliet story set in the wilderness.

 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Morcan, Lance, Morcan, James]

 

Nineteen year-old English seaman John Jewitt is one of only two survivors after his crewmates clash with the fierce Mowachaht tribe in the Pacific Northwest. A life of slavery awaits John and his fellow survivor, a belligerent American sailmaker, in a village ruled by the iron fist of Maquina, the all-powerful chief. Desperate to taste freedom again, they make several doomed escape attempts over mountains and sea. Only their value to the tribe and John’s relationship with Maquina prevents their captors from killing them.

As the seasons pass, John ‘goes Indian’ after falling in love with Eu- stochee, a beautiful maiden. In the bloodshed that follows, John discovers another side to himself – a side he never knew existed and a side he detests.

The stakes rise when John learns Eu-stochee is pregnant. When a final opportunity to escape arises, he must choose between returning to civilization or staying with Eu-stochee and their newborn son.

INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) is available via Amazon as a paperback or Kindle ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

The novel was inspired by the diary entries of young English blacksmith John Jewitt during his time aboard the brigantine The Boston, and also during his sojourn at Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805.

 

INTO THE AMERICAS has been adapted to a feature film screenplay and the planned movie is in early development with Morcan Motion Pictures. Expressions of interest are welcome from experienced film producers and directors.

 

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Putrid salmon favored by First Nations people of Pacific Northwest

Posted: July 27, 2018 in Into the Americas
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For some reason, the people of the Pacific Northwest considered rotten fish – salmon in particular – a delicacy, much preferring it to fresh fish. As a result, the odor of putrid fish filled the lodges at Nootka village, including the slaves’ quarters as it did on this occasion.

Toothie wandered over to the white slaves, holding two calabashes of food he’d prepared over the cooking fire. John Jewitt and Thompson accepted the offerings gratefully.

A quick inspection showed it consisted of fish grilled in seal oil. It looked appetizing enough, but the whites guessed the fish Toothie had used came from the small stockpile of putrid salmon the slaves kept in the lodge when supplies permitted.

So hungry were John and Thompson they crammed hand-fulls of the fish into their mouths as soon as it had cooled sufficiently.

It took all their self-control not to gag as they digested the putrid salmon, but they managed to keep it down. If nothing else, they found it was filling and would help them survive another day at least. They weren’t to know it was also very nutritious, and would sustain them until their next meal.

You have been reading an excerpt from INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) – available via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Morcan, Lance, Morcan, James]

Nineteen year-old blacksmith John Jewitt is one of only two survivors after his crewmates clash with the fierce Mowachaht tribe in the Pacific Northwest. A life of slavery awaits John and his fellow survivor, a belligerent American sailmaker, in a village ruled by the iron fist of Maquinna, the all-powerful chief. Desperate to taste freedom again, they make several doomed escape attempts over mountains and sea. Only their value to the tribe and John’s relationship with Maquinna prevents their captors from killing them.

 

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A clash of cultures in ‘Into the Americas’

Posted: June 21, 2018 in Into the Americas
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The First Nations people of the Pacific Northwest didn’t scalp their enemies. They decapitated them – as young English seaman John Jewitt discovered when his crewmates were slaughtered by Mowachaht warriors of the tribe of Maquinna in Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in 1803.

We describe this terrible incident in the following exerpt from our bestselling historical adventure Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story).

The chief pushed his captive ahead of him until they reached the quarter deck. Here, John was met by a sight that would remain with him for the rest of his days.

The heads of twenty-five of his crewmates were lined up in neat rows that extended all the way across the bloody deck from the starboard rail to the port-side rail. Most were recognizable, some barely recognizable and a few not remotely recognizable.

It took a moment for the ghoulish sight to register in John’s brain. When it did, he tried to scream. Something stuck in his throat before he could let the scream out. It was his own vomit. He sank to his knees, retching, before finally disgorging the contents of his stomach on the deck.

 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) by [Morcan, Lance, Morcan, James]

 

Into the Americas  is available as a paperback and Kindle ebook via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

 

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Book critics resonate with latest historical novels

Posted: July 14, 2017 in Into the Americas, white spirit
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White Spirit and Into the Americas, the two most recent historical novels by father-and-son writing team Lance & James Morcan, continue to rate highly with reviewers on Amazon.

White Spirit (A novel based on a true story)     Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story)

Novels both based on true stories.

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After 34 customer reviews on Amazon, White Spirit (A novel based on a true story) has an average review rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Here’s what recent reviewers say about this book:

“Penal Colonies in Australia come to life in an outstanding work of Historical Fiction… Two thumbs up for this outstanding work.” –Howard Lipman

“This book does not disappoint. Hard to put down!” –Michelle Smith

“Excellent, Excellent story. Couldn’t put it down even though there are a whole lotta pages.” –Saunabear

“Truly a mind-grabber.” –BT

To see all the reviews go to: https://www.amazon.com/White-Spirit-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B01LWIRH9J/

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After 151 customer reviews on Amazon, Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) has an average review rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Here’s what recent reviewers say about this book:

“A solid page-turner… A creative and well-told story about a phenomenal chapter in the exploration of the New World.” –Brian Terhorst

“The action started right at the beginning and never really stopped.” –LindaMP

“This novel is well-written, colorful, and captivating (in more ways than one). –David Workman

“A refreshingly different genre for me. I couldn’t put the book down. Highly recommended.” –Kindle Customer

To see all the reviews go to: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

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Historical fiction novel likened to a motion picture in words

Posted: May 15, 2017 in Into the Americas
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One book reviewer described our historical adventure INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story)  as being “like a motion picture in words.” Understandable given it’s set in the Pacific Northwest, which must surely be one of the most picturesque places on earth. 

Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island…where this true-life story is set.

 

Into the Americas is a tale of two vastly different cultures – indigenous North American and European civilization – colliding head on. It is also a Romeo and Juliet story set in the wilderness.

The storyline:

It’s 1802. Nineteen year-old English blacksmith John Jewitt is one of only two survivors after his crewmates clash with the fierce Mowachaht tribe in the Pacific Northwest.

John Jewitt…years later.

A life of slavery awaits John and his fellow survivor, a belligerent American sailmaker, in a village ruled by the iron fist of Maquina, the all-powerful chief. Desperate to taste freedom again, they make several doomed escape attempts over mountains and sea. Only their value to the tribe and John’s relationship with Maquina prevents their captors from killing them.

Mowachaht chief Maquina.

As the seasons pass, John ‘goes Indian’ after falling in love with Eu-stochee, a beautiful maiden. This further alienates him from his fellow captive whose defiance leads to violent consequences. In the bloodshed that follows, John discovers another side to himself – a side he never knew existed and a side he detests. His desire to be reunited with the family and friends he left behind returns even stronger than before.

Nootka village where Jewitt was held captive.

The stakes rise when John learns Eu-stochee is pregnant. When a final opportunity to escape arises, he must choose between returning to civilization or staying with Eu-stochee and their newborn son.

Nootka Sound…as it was in the days of the trading ships.

Nootka Sound…in more recent times.

Strait of Georgia, Vancouver Island….a potential escape route for Jewitt.

An older Jewitt…after his escape.

 

Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story)

Into the Americas  is available exclusively via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/

 

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