ARLINGTON, Va., July 25, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- With the bicentennial anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition causing renewed interest in the early exploration of America, author Russell Breighner introduces a new look inside the explorations of LaSalle. It begins with the release of his new novel, The Noble Free (now available through 1stBooks).
Breighner presents a historic novel based on actual adventures of LaSalle in 1679. In August of that year, the Griffin became the first ship to sail on the upper Great Lakes. As he opens the novel, LaSalle and his crew are caught in a violent storm on Lake Huron, which nearly wipes out the expedition, but the Shawnee scout, Nika, is able to avert disaster.
LaSalle sends the Griffin back to Montreal with furs, never to return. LaSalle and his men continue by canoe, falling into various adventures on the waves and shores of Lake Michigan. They erect a fort at the base of the St. Joseph River. By winter of 1680, LaSalle advances as far as Lake Pimitou, modern day Peoria, Ill., the principle winter town of the Illinois nation.
They stumble into a brewing war between the Illinois and Iroquois tribes due to the French presence. Despite the impending war, LaSalle decides to stay there and erects another fort, Fort Crevecoeur. Plenty Fish, an Illinois brave, returns from his trip down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico and advises LaSalle of the dangers. LaSalle, excited, returns to Fort St. Joseph for supplies he believes the Griffin will have brought back. He ends up undertaking a dangerous trek to Montreal. In his absence, unrest breaks out. The French workers revolt, destroying Fort Crevecoeur. The war between the Illinois and the Iroquois begins to heat up as the bloodshed threatens.
Breighner brings to life a world of peace and respect turned upside down by the new presence of Europeans in this harrowing adventure of the early expeditions of LaSalle.
Breighner has a bachelor's degree in Russian language and literature from the University of Maryland. He received his master's in Russian studies from Georgetown University. Recently retired, Breighner was a career military intelligence officer in the Department of Defense. The Noble Free is his first novel. He plans to write two additional works about LaSalle's adventures.
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