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  • Primitive Passions (The Boschloper Saga)

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John M. Cahill
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Primitive Passions (The Boschloper Saga) Paperback – August 20, 2016

by John M Cahill (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars (13)
When Sean O’Cathail deserted in New York Harbor in 1681, it was not to become a boschloper. He jumped ship to save his own skin. Getting into the fur trading business was just where he landed. As an Irish refugee hiding out in a Dutch colony now controlled by the English, Sean found he had a knack for diplomacy as he negotiated between the colonists and their Iroquois neighbors. This skill also helped with his love life, torn between courting a servant in town, while sleeping with an Indian lass when in the wilderness.As the French and their Indian allies encroach ever farther into their territory. Sean’s diplomatic skills will be put to the test. Then, he learns more than a few pelts are at stakeAbout the Author:JOHN M. CAHILL worked and lived in New York’s Mohawk Valley where he took an interest in the history of the Dutch and English fur traders’ relations with their Iroquois neighbors and French adversaries. Now, he lives with his wife in Vienna, Austria.
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  1. Book 1 of 1
    The Boschloper Saga
  2. Print length
    408 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    August 20, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.92 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1537174983
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1537174983
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 20, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 408 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1537174983
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1537174983
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.92 x 8 inches
  • Book 1 of 1 ‏ : ‎ The Boschloper Saga
  • Best Sellers Rank: #10,681,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars (13)

About the author

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John M. Cahill

John M. Cahill

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I was born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the history-rich Berkshire Hills. I earned a B.A. degree in journalism and political science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. After graduation I moved to New York’s Capital District where, for 34 years, I enjoyed a successful and rewarding career in public relations and social marketing with New York State government. While living in New York’s Mohawk Valley, I took an interest in the Dutch and English fur traders and their relations with their Iroquois neighbors and their French adversaries. Now retired, I am pleased to share the stories of these amazing people. I live, with my wife, in Vienna, Austria. You can learn more about me and my work at www.john-m-cahill.com

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
13 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Yvonne Griffin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Primitive Passions
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
    Format: Kindle
    Well written, with plenty of romance and action. Historically accurate. Highly recommend.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars History in an action packed adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2021
    If you are a lover of early American colonial historical novels, Primitive Passions by John Cahill is the book you are looking for. From chapter one, the story takes off with two well-depicted action scenes as the young Irishman, Sean O'Cathail must first fight his ship mates due to their attempts at thievery, and due to the fight, he must then jump ship and desert. He finds himself in the former Dutch colony that is now New York, but before he can hide, he must escape members of the crew who are attempting to capture him. With the help of other Irishmen and women, he makes his way to Albany to take his chances in the fur trade. He learns and prospers and makes new friends, male and female, but his adventures are far from over as he takes on ever more responsibilities as well as risks. You will enjoy following Sean on his adventures as you visit 17th century lifestyles of the British, French, Dutch, and Indians (Native Americans). Cahill vividly captures not only the time period but the geography that plays an important role in the shaping of New York.
    Celia Martin
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  • Laraine R Desmond
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it, You'll Like It
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2015
    As soon as I finished this book I was looking forward to the sequel. The book has a fast pace with a good story that keeps you turning the pages wondering what is going to happen next. The descriptive passages and use of actual historical records makes you feel as though you are there with Sean, the main character, whether it is on the harbor front in old NY, in old Albany, or on the trails heading west along the Mohawk River. The interactions among the characters appear authentic. As per today, every New Yorker has their point of view, their needs to be met or achieved. I especially love the presentation of the Iroquois. What a doomed quandary they were in. They survived throughout all NYS history and are still going at it - a little decimated, but still here. I can't wait to share the book with my friend, Tom Porter, founder of Kanatsiohareke in Fonda, NY. The way Cahill has the Iroquois speak in the book reminds me so much of Tom. It's exactly how he talks and tells stories, using a relentless sense of humor whenever he speaks as well as being extremely sensitive and compassionate. In my interactions with the Mohawk I have found them to always want to laugh first, get down to business second. Whether Irish like Sean, Dutch, English, French or Native American, Cahill does a very good job of presenting everyone's perspective. What a fascinating time in World, American, and local history, which Cahill presents with charm and great aptitude.
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  • Deb
    3.0 out of 5 stars I would do 3.5 starts if Amazon allowed it
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2016
    Talk about the "luck of the Irish"--Sean O'Cathail in PRIMITIVE PASSIONS seems to escape every bad situation and to fall over and over again into good ones. John M. Cahill's book follows the fortunes of Irish immigrant O’Cathail in 1681 as he jumps ship, evades pursuers, and makes friends and allies up and down what eventually will become upstate New York. The book eschews detailed character development in favor of a fast pace. I appreciated that Mr. Cahill doesn't make the reader feel as though he is swimming through an "information dump" (sharing too much research), and I appreciated the scenes of interaction between the whites and the Native Americans, of which the author says, "The quotes are accurate as recorded, although I have updated the language." Although this feels like a "guy" book in its approach to sex and violence (plenty of both without much emotional reaction from the people involved), I'm looking forward to the sequel and to finding out more about the characters.
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  • Jerome Yahna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure conflict on the early American frontier.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2015
    "Primitive Passions" proves that author John M. Cahill has many tales to tell and the ability to tell them well! Cahill's grasp of the history of New York's Mohawk Valley stands him in good stead as he tell the story of Sean O'Cathail, a young Irishman who deserts the British navy and becomes a fur trader in Albany on colonial New York's frontier. While learning the language and culture of the Iroquois, Sean also learns the art of diplomacy and soon becomes the governor's envoy to the Iroquois. This brings him into direct conflict with the French and their Indian allies. Further complications ensue when Sean finds himself torn between a Mohawk woman and a Dutch indentured servant. Cahill's storytelling ability, however, brings a satisfying resolution to Sean's problems, balanced by an exciting narrative. "Primitive Passions" is the first volume of a quartet, entitled "The Boschloper Saga", planned by Cahill. I am most anxious to find out what happens next! If one enjoys reading about America's history and having the principle characters being brought to believable life by a master writer, then this book is for you and it belongs on your shelf.
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  • Ivonne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Raw and Real!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2015
    An absorbing cliffhanger tale that leaves you titillating with a taste for more in anticipation about the uncertainties! Mr. John Cahill’s The Boschloper Saga, Book 1: Primitive Passions showcases his expertise in social marketing and interpersonal dynamics among diverse groups and individuals. His story telling is a fluid and transparent depiction, of the raw sentiments of the intricate and intertwined dynamics of human nature during Colonial America. A fictional story filled with factoids of the era that leaves you with a sense of the essence and spirit of the immigrant colonists and original inhabitants. A historical masterpiece that has everything from the local, national and international politics of survival, entrepreneurship and, the will to thrive of the early colony settlers and Native Americans. If you want a quick-crash course in American Colonial History, and all the awareness and cultural intelligence strategies that were the driving force that set forth the founding principles that shaped today’s, the United States of America, and are part of everyday life, business as usual; and, yet, as a nation, still a work in progress. This is the saga to read! Can’t wait for the sequels….
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Stanley
    5.0 out of 5 stars captivating historical novel
    Reviewed in Germany on November 29, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Perfect way to learn pre-revolutionary United States history. Cahill has meticulously studied this period of American history and produced an entertaining, absorbing and detailed narrative of the human and logistical aspects of the time. It is as if Cahill had spent years fur trading in the region and knew all of the actors personally.
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