About the Novel
The novel is loosely based on the historical adventures of Major George Washington in the winter of 1753, several months before the French and Indian War. Specifically the story follows the time-line of the Major’s journey from Virginia to Fort Le Beouf in North Western Pennsylvania and back again. His mission is to deliver a letter from the Virginia governor to the French commander demanding the French leave the ‘Forks of Ohio,’ the site of present day Pittsburgh.
Jacob Van Braam an interpreter and Christopher Gist a trapper accompany George Washington along with a small crew of Virginia Militiamen. Jacob is a British officer who, unknown to the Major has his own mission in the frontier. Christopher is a frontiersman and friend of Daniel Boone that is handpicked by the Major to guide him on their travels.
Many parts of the story are written from the perspective of the native Americans. Specifically the native side of the story is told through the eyes of Tanacharison (the Half-king) a leader of all the displaced Iroquois in the Ohio Valley, Januhuk a leader of a small tribe of Seneca Indians near Fort Le Beouf and Kublanerasaka an ambitious Seneca warrior who becomes a lightning rod for the larger conflict in the region.
The Web Project
George Washington and the Forks of Ohio is more or less just a typical novel. The only difference is that the first ten or so chapters are going to be posted online in small chunks to coincide with the Pittsburgh 250 celebration and then more chapters for the America 250 celebration. The entire novel will hopefully be released in a more traditional book at a yet to be announced date.
About Mark Bursic
Mark is a technologist who has worked in the field of computer and internet technology his entire career. Mark’s interest in George Washington and his adventures in Western Pennsylvania began when his father wrote Peculiar Presidential Facts and Trivia in the early 90′. He lives in his hometown of Pittsburgh where he occasionally writes chapters in between computer and art projects.