Early reviews of the pre-release book have been positive. Take a look.
Reviewed by Readers’ Favorite
Escape to the Maroons by Mike Weedall is a historical novel that reveals the untold stories of fugitive slaves seeking freedom in the harsh terrain of the Great Dismal Swamp in 1791. Weedall skillfully combines thorough research with vivid storytelling to portray the struggles, bravery, and humanity of those who chose the swamp over slavery. The novel follows Nathaniel Johnston, a man born into slavery but raised as white, who finds himself thrown into the world of fugitive slaves after his true identity is revealed. Weedall’s description of the swamp is both haunting and immersive. The harsh environment, full of dangers from wildlife and the elements, reflects the challenges faced by the fugitives. The novel also explores themes of identity, community, and sacrifice.
Mike Weedall’s use of historical context is smooth, blending real events and practices into the narrative without overshadowing the story. The inclusion of authentic historical documents, such as the wanted notice for Harry, adds realism and emphasizes the brutality of the era. The pacing is measured, with moments of tension and action interspersed with quieter, reflective scenes. The climactic confrontation with a posse and the alliance with the Nansemond tribe are especially gripping, highlighting the stakes and the bravery of the characters. Nathaniel’s internal conflict about his place in the world and his shifting sense of belonging within the camp are well-executed and central to the story. Escape to the Maroons is a powerful novel that sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of history. The storytelling honors the courage of those whofought for freedom, and it’s a book everyone should read.
“This book paints the story of the actual conditions and challenges residents of the Maroons faced in their determination to live free.”
Tim Lockley, Author, Maroon Communities In South Carolina
“The story of those who sought refuge in the Dismal Swamp seldom has been dramatized in such an engaging way that allows the reader a glimpse into the hearts and minds of those who risked everything to be free. Weedall leaves you wanting more.”
Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Author, Virginia Waterways and The Underground Railroad
Escape to the Maroons Mike Weedall
Reviewer: Jeyran Main, Review Tales
Mike Weedall’s Escape to the Maroons is a riveting historical narrative that brings to life a little-known chapter of American history: the Maroon communities of fugitive slaves who sought refuge in the Great Dismal Swamp during the late 18th century. The story follows Nathanial, an escaped slave raised as white, who is forced to flee when his identity is discovered in 1792. Barely escaping a relentless bounty hunter, he finds sanctuary among a Maroon community, where he must confront not only the suspicions of his new peers but also the complexities of embracing his true identity. Weedall excels at combining historical authenticity with compelling storytelling. Through Nathaniel’s journey, readers gain an intimate perspective on the challenges faced by Maroons: survival in one of the harshest environments in North America, the creation of self-sufficient communities, and the moral courage required to aid fellow escapees via the Underground Railroad. Nathanial’s pale skin allows him to act as a conductor, ferrying freedom seekers onto ships bound for the North, a role fraught with both risk and moral complexity. These daring exploits highlight the ingenuity, resilience, and solidarity of those committed to freedom. The novel’s strength lies not only in its historical accuracy but also in its vivid characterization. Nathanial’s internal struggles—accepting his identity, earning the trust of the Maroons, and navigating the constant threats from bounty hunters—are portrayed with nuance and emotional depth. Weedall carefully balances moments of tension and danger with reflections on community, loyalty, and the human drive for liberation, creating a narrative that is both educational and deeply engaging. The Great Dismal Swamp itself becomes a character, its unforgiving terrain reflecting the resilience and ingenuity required to survive. Weedall’s writing immerses readers in the harsh, yet vibrant, life of the Maroons, providing historical context while never sacrificing the emotional power of the story. Escape to the Maroons is a must-read for those interested in American history, African diaspora studies, and stories of courage in the face of impossible odds. Weedall’s novel illuminates the sacrifices and triumphs of self-liberated people, honoring their legacy while delivering a thrilling and insightful historical adventure.
Review of Escape To The Maroons–Julian de la Motte, Author
Mike Weedall is the author of two already published books, ”War Angel” – an account of front-line nursing in the Korean War and ”Iva – the true story of Tokyo Rose”. With the publication of ‘Escape to The Maroons’, he further reinforces his fascination with perhaps little explored facets of near contemporary history with an exciting fictional account of life within a community of escaped slaves in ‘The Dismal Swamp’ area on the border of Virginia and North Carolina in the last decade of the eighteenth century at the very infancy of the United States of America. The Swamp was then a vast area of truly inhospitable swampland; an approximately 2.000 mile ‘blight’. In his introduction to the book, Weedall is graphic in his description of this land: ”How does one navigate through this hell hole of nature assailed by clouds of biting insects, where to step? When one’s foot does not sink into boot-sucking mud, the so called land is a sponge. Bushes and trees sporting oversized thorns tear at flesh. Dense stands of bamboo show no way forward…….Liquid and land blend. The water is tannin and acidic……The same water yields escaping gases from decaying matter. Fumes flare and spontaneously combust, smelling like rotten eggs……
Mike Weedall continues in this vein, painting a far from edifying picture of the place; venomous insects, dangerous beasts, deadly snakes. It is a far from bucolic vision; all in all, it is not the ideal holiday location. It is this very place that the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow locates his fugitive slave ”crouching like a wild beast in his lair” in his poem ”The Slave in the Dismal Swamp”, published in 1842: ”Where will o’ the wisps and glow-worms shine, In bullrush and in brake; Where weaving mosses shroud the pine And the cedar groves, and the poisonous vine Is spotted like the snake.” It seems almost inconceivable, therefore, that a community, free or otherwise, could hope to maintain and sustain itself, given such unpromising geographical and climatic conditions, but, nonetheless, it has been variously calculated that this area supported the largest ‘marron’ community in the United States of America and that between the years 1630 to 1865 supported a population that could be numbered in its thousands, before a combination of road and canal construction, swamp drainage, continued white encroachment in search of timber and other resources and policing by black troops of the United States government ultimately brought it to an end.
In ”Escape to the Maroons” the writer Mike Weedall tells a fine story of courage and endurance. Endorsement: In ”Escape to the Maroon” Mike Weedall casts a much needed light on a perhaps neglected subject. He relates this stirring tale of an oppressed community with great compassion and sensitivity and the reader cannot fail to be moved by this account of the Maroon community of The Great Dismal Swamp.