The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story from Early America by John Putnam Demos narrates the story of the 1704 Mohawk raid on Deerfield, Massachusetts, capturing 112 residents, including seven-year-old Eunice Williams. Abducted by Mohawk warriors, Eunice assimilates into Kahnawake culture, forgetting English, marrying a Mohawk man, and refusing to return to Puritan life, despite her family's efforts. The book highlights themes of multiculturalism and colonial influence in early America, using primary sources to explore the intersecting histories of Native American, French, Canadian, and British peoples. The narrative deals with sensitive topics such as violent conflict, cultural assimilation, and familial separation.

John Putnam Demos' The Unredeemed Captive is praised for its detailed historical research and compelling narrative about cultural encounters in colonial America. Critics appreciate its vivid storytelling and empathy for its subjects, though some find it dense and occasionally meandering. Overall, it's acclaimed for bringing history to life through personal stories.

Readers who enjoy meticulously researched historical narratives with a focus on early American history and cross-cultural relations will appreciate The Unredeemed Captive by John Putnam Demos. Fans of James Axtell’s The Invasion Within and Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower will find this book particularly engaging.

Mysterious / Dark / Contemplative / Emotional

- The author, John Putnam Demos, is a distinguished historian known for his work on early American history, which earned him a prestigious Bancroft Prize.
- The Unredeemed Captive intertwines detailed historical research with narrative storytelling, garnering praise for its vivid portrayal of cultural contact and conflict.
- The book offers a deep dive into themes of identity, faith, and cultural assimilation in colonial America, sparking discussions in classrooms and book clubs alike.

**Eunice Williams**  
Daughter of Reverend John Williams, she is captured during the Deerfield massacre and integrates into Kahnawake life, adopting new cultural identities. Her life reflects the intersection of colonial and Native American cultures.

**John Williams**  
A Puritan minister in Deerfield and father to Eunice, who spends years attempting to recover his daughter after being taken. His life is marked by captivity following a raid on Deerfield, and his dedication to his daughter's return.

**The Native Americans**  
They are diverse tribes in colonial New England, with the Kahnawake being prominent in Eunice Williams' life. Their customs and society are explored to understand her changed life perspectives.

**The French**  
They hold significant power in Canada and are allied with Native Americans against British settlers. Figures such as the governor Marquis de Vaudreuil and captain Jean Baptiste Guyon play roles in the narrative.

**The British**  
Puritan settlers in search of religious freedom, with figures like Cotton Mather playing notable parts. Their ongoing conflict with the French frames the broader historical context of the story.

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The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story from Early America

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