New York City, New York Aug 28, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - "The Peacemaker" is a captivating multi-generational saga that weaves together the historical narrative of the Iroquois Confederacy's decline and the subsequent establishment of the United States of America. Spanning from 1720 to September 11, 2001, this book offers a unique perspective on American history by exploring the experiences and struggles of generations of women. Through their eyes, readers gain insight into the pursuit of power regained since its loss in 1789 and the tireless efforts to break the cycles of war, poverty, economic depression, and the looming threat of global warming. The narrative serves as a poignant call for a powerful nation facing its own decline to heed the message conveyed to Ayowentah (Hiawatha) by the Peacemaker in the 11th Century - a call to resurrect the principles that can establish a durable society capable of enduring through the Seventh Generation and beyond.
1. Historical Context and Narrative Scope:
"The Peacemaker" masterfully encompasses a vast historical timeline, presenting key events and transformations that shaped America from the 18th century to the turn of the millennium. By intertwining the decline of the Iroquois Confederacy and the birth of the United States, the author provides a comprehensive view of the nation's evolution. The inclusion of September 11, 2001, as a significant point in the narrative highlights the book's intent to bridge the past with contemporary challenges.
2. Feminine Perspective and Empowerment:
This multi-generational saga stands out for its emphasis on the female characters who propel the story forward. By focusing on the struggles and aspirations of women, the novel offers a fresh and distinct viewpoint on historical events. It explores the quest for power that women have sought since the early days of the United States, shedding light on their contributions to shaping society. Through their resilience and determination, the women in "The Peacemaker" become agents of change, striving to break free from the constraints imposed upon them and to forge a brighter future for themselves and future generations.
3. Themes of War, Poverty, and Environmental Concerns:
One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of the recurring themes of war, poverty, economic depression, and the looming threat of global warming. By tracing these issues throughout America's history, "The Peacemaker" highlights the cyclical nature of these challenges and the need for sustained efforts to overcome them. The narrative serves as a reminder that addressing these societal issues is essential for the nation's progress and survival. It urges readers to reflect on the lessons of the past and strive for a society that is founded on principles promoting peace, equality, and environmental stewardship.
4. The Legacy of the Peacemaker:
Central to the narrative is the message conveyed by the Peacemaker to Ayowentah (Hiawatha) in the 11th Century. This prophetic call for the restoration of principles that can foster a strong and enduring society resonates throughout the book. By drawing upon this ancient wisdom, "The Peacemaker" imparts a powerful message to contemporary America, urging it to rediscover and embrace those values that can guide the nation towards a prosperous and sustainable future.
Author, Brenda Duffey is a retired teacher of English and American history who has lived and worked in public schools all over the country. For ten years in Albuquerque, NM she worked as an eighth grade humanities teacher incorporating literature and the arts into the teaching of American history. During this time, she worked with the administration to radically change the way American history was taught to incorporate all cultures that make up this country into the teaching instead of teaching white man's political history. The most important change was incorporating the history of the Indigenous people of this country whose land was taken through wars of extermination and broken peace treaties. The Covenant Chain on the front cover is a treaty made with the Iroquois Confederacy and George Washington before the American Revolution and one that was continually violated as the new United States began its westward expansion.
After ten years of teaching the actual story of American history, Brenda developed the idea for a book similar to James Michener's The Covenant that would teach the true story of American history in fictional form. The idea remained with her when she moved to Oregon with her second husband. In 1997 Brenda was hired by the federal government to teach one semester at Chemawa Indian School in Kizer, Oregon. The course she taught was Native American history. In the library of the school, Brenda learned about the Iroquois Confederacy and the Peacemaker. She found the starting point for her book.
After two years of searching for another permanent teaching position Brenda landed a teaching position at a facility in Oregon that worked with adjudicated youth. Her Master's in Social Work was key to obtaining this position. The idea for the book never left her during the time she was there - 1998-2003. A whistleblowing experience forced Brenda into early retirement in 2003 and during this time, she began work on The Peacemaker. She finished the book in 2009 and self-published the book. After two cross country book tours, Brenda decided the book needed a second printing and revised the book in June, 2010. Brenda has devoted her time to the marketing of this book since then with one vision in mind - to bring the message of The Peacemaker to a global audience in order to awaken the public to what was lost in 1776 and what needs to be done to address the challenges created by this. That vision has stayed with her through the loss of her job, widowhood and health challenges resulting from the whistle blowing. In 2018, Brenda was able to realize her vision when she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and began a project with her older daughter.
That dream was to create a model of sustainable living on 1.3 acres of land she purchased on the urban edge of Charlotte. Since then, Brenda has developed a sustainable garden, had her property listed as a certified wildlife habitat and has been busy restoring the land while her daughter has worked rehabbing the current structure on the property to use alternative energy sources. She now lives in Charlotte enjoying the companionship and support of her older daughter and finding time to spend with her younger daughter who lives in San Diego, CA. At present Brenda is busy finalizing her construction and move to her tiny home she is building on the property and planning a bigger and better garden that she hopes will serve to train urban youth about growing their own food and the principles of sustainable living presented in The Peacemaker.
To know more about the author and her literary works, you may visit her website: brendaduffey.com
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