The Last of the Mohicans – A Narrative of 1757: With 26 Illustrations and a Free Audio Link

The Last of the Mohicans was one of the most popular English-language novels of its time.

The story is set in 1757 during the French and Indian War, when France and Great Britain battled for control of the American and Canadian colonies. During this war, the French often allied themselves with Native American tribes in order to gain an advantage over the British, with unpredictable and often tragic results. The colonisers war however, overlays older struggles between nations of Native Americans for possession of the same lands.

Through these layers of conflict, Cooper threads a thrilling narrative, in which Cora and Alice Munro – daughters of a British commander on the frontline of the colonial war – attempt to join their father. They are thwarted by Magua, the sinister ‘Indian runner.’ Luckily, the two sisters find help from a person called Hawkeye, the white woodsman, and his companions, the Mohican Chingachgook and Uncas, his son – the last of his tribe.

Cooper’s novel is full of vivid incidents – pursuits through the wild terrain, skirmishes, treachery and brutality. However, it also reflects on the interaction between the colonists and the natives. Through the character of Hawkeye, Cooper raises lasting questions about the practices of the American frontier and the eclipse of the indigenous cultures.

This book is unabridged and the story appears as it was first published in 1826.

The audio link will only work on Kobo's iOS and Android apps.