Kenneth Roberts NORTHWEST PASSAGE 1938 Author-Signed Kennebunkport Maine Rogers Rangers Saint-Francois-du-Lac Quebec French and Indian War Abenakis Fort Michilimackinac London England Historical Novel
Title: Northwest Passage
Author: Kenneth Roberts - Kenneth Lewis Roberts was an American author of historical novels. Roberts worked first as a journalist, becoming nationally known for his work with the Saturday Evening Post from 1919 to 1928, and then as a popular novelist. Born in Kennebunk, Maine, Roberts specialized in Regionalist historical fiction. He often wrote about his native state and its terrain, also depicting other upper New England states and scenes. For example, the heroes of "Arundel" and "Rabble in Arms" are from Kennebunk (then called Arundel), while Langdon Towne, the chief character of Roberts's "Northwest Passage," is depicted as being from Kittery, Maine with friends in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Roberts was born in Kennebunk, Maine. He graduated in 1908 from Cornell University, where he wrote the lyrics for two Cornell fight songs, including "Fight for Cornell." He was also a member of the Quill and Dagger society. He was later awarded honorary doctorates from three New England universities: Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, Colby College in Maine and Middlebury College in Vermont.
Publisher: Doubleday, Doran & Company Inc.
City: New York
Year: 1938
Binding Style: Hardcover
Pagination: 709 pages
Width: 5.75" Height: 8"
Book Details: This antique volume is bound in green cloth with a blindstamped design to the front board. The spine bears gilt lettering and ornamentation. The title page is signed, with an inscription by the author. The pastedown endpapers are decorative maps.

“Northwest Passage” is an historical novel by Kenneth Roberts, published in 1937. Told through the eyes of primary character Langdon Towne, much of the novel follows the exploits and character of Robert Rogers, the leader of Rogers' Rangers, who were a colonial force fighting with the British during the French and Indian War.

Structurally, “Northwest Passage” is divided into halves. The first half is a carefully researched, day-by-day recreation of the raid by Rogers' Rangers on the Indian village at Saint-François-du-Lac, Quebec (or Saint Francis, to the American troops), a settlement of the Abenakis, an American Indian tribe. The second half of the novel covers Rogers' later life in London, England, and Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan. Roberts' decision to cover the novel's material in two distinct halves followed the actual trajectory of Rogers' life.

The book later served as the basis for a 1940 movie starring Spencer Tracy and a 1958-59 TV show on NBC starring Buddy Ebsen.
Condition / Notes: This title shows nicely, with minimal indications of age and wear, including minor shelfwear. The binding is a bit loose, however the text block and covers are firmly intact. This book displays ex-library treatments, including a stamp on the title page, a call number on the spine, and a torn front endpaper, most likely from removal of a library attachment.

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