Levi Lincoln pens an incredible story, revealing the trials and tribulations of America’s western expansion in Adventure Story. Thousands of European emigrants flood the shores of the United States, all with hopes of a future in the West. The year is 1849, and after becoming orphaned, a young and curious German emigrant boy, Helmut Schmidt, runs away from Manhattan to seek adventure in the West. Helmut leaves behind his younger sister, Ingrid, with their guardian, Annabelle McKenzie, and embarks on an amazing journey. Helmut is steadfast, undeterred by dangers of the untamed wildness or the threat of Indian attacks. Alone with his thoughts, Helmut thinks of Ingrid often, promising one day to return, but not yet. Time and again, Helmut experiences the kindness of a stranger, but none like Eli the trapper. Eli takes him under his wing of care and teaches Helmut how to survive in the great American outdoors. With miles of trail before them, Helmut begins to tell his story, a captivating tale to be sure. Before long, a bond of friendship is forged, one that will forever change the lives of Helmut and Eli.

Adventure Story by Levi Lincoln penetrates the soul of American immigration. The story is set in the mid 1800s. The railroad is expanding, creating boom towns and unrest between the Native American Indians and the ever increasing migration to the West. The narrative expresses the displacement and exploitation of the Indian nation with compassion and turbulent emotion, yet depicts the western settlers with equal passion and determination. The conflict is illustrated with historical realism, revealing the struggle for power between the government and the Indians.

Lincoln crafts a story within a story, as the young protagonist traverses time from the present to the past as he shares his story. As a result, the setting changes often, from life aboard ship to the streets of Manhattan, and into the wild frontier. The ever changing time and setting and use of short chapters create a steady flow of action. Lincoln describes fateful events that interlock his cast of characters, twisting and turning these events into foreseeable irony. But, there are a couple of surprises along the way.

The characters portray the spirit of adventure, living up to the story title. They are strong, versatile, and enterprising, depicting the essence of the times. Whether it is adopting a new country, a way of life, or a son or daughter, the theme of adoption pulls the story together. Adventure Story is a captivating saga that takes you on a journey into American history and leaves you with a happily ever after ending. “It is quite a story – a miracle in the making.”

Set against the backdrop of a turbulent historical period, Adventure Story by Levi Lincoln is a title that is self-explanatory, a thrilling story that combines an exciting adventure with romance to offer a literary treat on what hardship and struggle can produce. The Baden Revolution is taking place in Germany at the time this story begins, and Helmut Schmidt, his sister, and their wounded father clandestinely board a ship bound for New York. But the young Helmut has his own plans, daring and bold. One could have thought Helmut simply fantasizes, but things get interesting when he decides to put his plan into action. And thus begins one of the most enthralling tales of adventure ever written.

Adventure Story features very compelling characters with rich backgrounds. At the time the story starts, Helmut is a small boy of around eleven, but a meeting with Eli, a trader, will have a great impact on his life. It’s wonderful to watch the characters as they deepen their friendship and grow in their humanity. It is inspiring to read about the boy’s openness to the world that unfolds before him like petals under the rising sun. I loved Levi Lincoln’s prose, which I found to be tight and beautiful, a language that seemed to flow so naturally with intelligent dialogue. The descriptions offer powerful images of a period readers would want to visit. This is a very entertaining story and readers can easily find themselves reaching out to the beguiling characters.